Unit 5b: How do Muslims express their beliefs?

1. Unit 5b: How do Muslims express their beliefs? Think about things in your home or school which you treat with special respect. Where do you keep them? How would you feel if they were soiled or damaged? The Qur’an is very important to Muslims, and must be treated with special respect. It is often placed on a wooden stand whilst being read. Muslims make special preparations before praying, or reading the Qur’an. These are called wudu. Unit 5b: How do Muslims express their beliefs?

2. Unit 5b: How do Muslims express their beliefs? • Wudu is the name Muslims use for the process of cleaning yourself to prepare for worship. • First, Muslims make a silent intention to perform wudu. • Then, using water, they wash: • the right and left hands • the face, mouth, nose, and ears • the right and left arms • the feet and ankles • Why do you think it is important for Muslims to perform wudu before making an act of worship? Unit 5b: How do Muslims express their beliefs?

3. Unit 5b: How do Muslims express their beliefs? The Five Pillars of Islam Muslims believe that to live a good life and to have a good relationship with Allah, there are five main things they need to do: Iman (faith) having faith in Allah Salah (prayer) praying five times each day Sawm (fasting) fasting during Ramadan Zakah (giving alms) being charitable towards people who are less fortunate Hajj (pilgrimage) going on pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in a lifetime Write a list or a poem about five beliefs which you have yourself. Unit 5b: How do Muslims express their beliefs?

4. Unit 5b: How do Muslims express their beliefs? Iman (faith) Muslims demonstrate their faith by making a declaration of faith called the Shahadah. The meaning of the shahadah is: "There is none worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is the messenger of God." Muslims make this declaration of faith to show that: the only purpose of life is to serve and obey God and this is achieved through the teachings and practices of Muhammad . Unit 5b: How do Muslims express their beliefs?

5. Unit 5b: How do Muslims express their beliefs? Salah (prayer) Muslims are obliged to pray five times every day. They believe that these prayers are very important, as they are a direct communication between the worshipper and God. Prayers are said at dawn, at midday, in the late afternoon, in the evening and at night. The prayers contain verses from the Qur’an, and are said in Arabic. Muslims will preferably pray with other members of the community in a mosque, although they are allowed to pray alone if they wish, or if it is impossible to get to a mosque for the prayers. Muslims who are unable to pray in the mosque, for example if they are at work, will find a quiet place to pray and use a prayer mat. Unit 5b: How do Muslims express their beliefs?

6. Unit 5b: How do Muslims express their beliefs? Sawm (fasting) During the month of Ramadan, Muslims have to fast from dawn until sunset. This means they are not allowed to eat or drink. Have you ever gone without food? What do you think fasting means to Muslims? Muslims believe that by not eating or drinking, they are more able to concentrate on the presence of God. They believe the fast is a gift to God. People who are very elderly, or sick, or are on a long journey are allowed to break the fast, as are young children. Can you think of other religions which have times of fasting? Unit 5b: How do Muslims express their beliefs?

7. Unit 5b: How do Muslims express their beliefs? Zakah (giving alms) Muslims believe that everything belongs to God, and so it is wrong to keep too much money or too many things if there are other people who have very little. Muslims therefore give a portion of their income to charity, which depends on how much they have, and what they can afford. Have you ever given money to charity? Do you think it is important to do this? Why? Muslims also believe that they can be charitable in other ways, such as giving up time to help someone, giving food to those who are hungry, encouraging others to do good. Can you think of other religions where charity is important? Unit 5b: How do Muslims express their beliefs?

8. Unit 5b: How do Muslims express their beliefs? Hajj (pilgrimage) The Hajj is the annual pilgrimage which Muslims make to Makkah, the birthplace of the prophet Muhammed . The Hajj is only obligatory for Muslims who can afford to go, and who are healthy enough to make the journey. Over two million people a year visit Makkah on pilgrimage. Why is a pilgrimage different from any other journey? Have you ever been on a pilgrimage? Think about the significance for Muslims of the events of the Hajj. Write a newspaper or magazine article about a Muslim family going on Hajj, and what it means to them. Unit 5b: How do Muslims express their beliefs?