Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Blog Post 24: Islam Webquest


Task #1:

1.     What is the highest estimate for the total number of Muslims that live in the world today? 2.1 billion
2. List 10 countries who have a Muslim population of 86% or greater. Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Gambia, Iran, Iraq
3. What country has the largest Muslim population? Morocco
4. How many Muslims are there in the Unites States? 2,595,000

Task #2:

5.     Summarize each key beliefs below in a complete sentence:
·      Belief in God:  Muslims believe in one unique God, who has no son or partner. No one shares his divinity.
·      Belief in Angels: Muslims believe in the existence of the angles and that they are honored creatures. The angles worship God alone.
·      Belief in God’s Revealed Books: Muslims believe that God revealed books to His messengers as proof for mankind as guidance for them.
·      Belief in the Prophets and Messengers of God: Muslims believe in messengers of God starting with Adam, including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and Jesus.
·      Belief in the Day of Judgment: Muslims believe in the Day of Judgment when all people will be resurrected for God’s judgment according to their beliefs and deeds.
·      Belief in Al-Qadar: Muslims believe in Al-Qadar, which is Divine Predestination, but his belief in Divine Predestination does not mean that human beings do not have freewill.
6.     Go to the following website and put 3 of Muhammad’s sayings in your own words:
·      “ Struggling is going against oneself and submitting themselves to Allah (God).”
·      “Honesty and staying pure while moving forward is the best way to live life and makes up the Divine words of wisdom.”
·      “Anger, dictatorship and being bias are sins, meaning going against God’s purpose.”

Task #3:

7.     What does the Quran provide? It deals with the subjects that concern human beings: wisdom, doctrine, worship, transactions, law etc.
8.     In what language(s) does the Quran exist? Why? Only Arabic because it was revealed in that language. But in English translation as well.
9.     During which month was the Quran sent down from Heaven? 9th month
10. What did the angel Gabriel command Muhammad to do? What happened next? Commanded Muhammad to read and then he taught Muhammad some verses from the Quran, which Muhammad memorized.

Task #4:

11.  List and explain the 5 pillars of Faith:
·      Shahada (Testimony of faith): Most important pillar. One is required to say with conviction at least once in his or her life.
·      Salat (Prayer): Muslims pray 5 times a day- dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and night. Prayer often occurs in a mosque, but Muslims may pray anywhere.
·      Zakat (almsgiving): Charitable giving is a requirement of faith for all Muslims. Used to benefit the poor.
·      Slyam (Fasting): literally means any ritual fasting, but is generally understood to refer to ritual fasting during the month of Ramadan. From dusk to dawn for the entire month, Muslims must refrain from eating, drinking and engaging in sexual relations.
·      Hajj (Pilgrimage): During the last month of the Islamic calendar, about two million Muslims ascend to the city of Mecca for the Hajj.  Every able-bodied Muslim is required- if finances permit to make it at least once in their life.
Why are they important?:  Helps to strengthen their faith in and service to Allah.
Why is cheating on the 5 pillars impossible?: Because all Muslims strive to perform, regardless of anything.
Compare the 5 pillars with similar activities in other religions: In Christianity, we have times of lent where we do not eat meat. Asking God for forgiveness. The Quran is similar to the Bible in Christianity.

Task #5:

12. What is Ramadan? 9th month of Islamic calendar
13. What restraints are placed on Muslims during Ramadan? Not allowed to eat or drink during the daylight hours. Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden during fasting.
14. What can destroy the good acquired during Ramadan? Telling a lie, slander, denouncing someone behind his back, a false oath and greed or covetousness.
15. Why is the 27th day of Ramadan significant? Muslims celebrate the Night of Power. It is believed that on this night Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Quran.
16. What happens when Ramadan ends? It is celebrated with one of two Islamic festivals.
17. What are 3 reasons Ramadan is important? Constitutes a period of atonement. The gates of Heaven are open. And the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained up in Hell.
18. Why is easier to do good during Ramadan? Good actions keep the devil away since he is chained in Hell.

Task #6:

19.  List 5 interesting facts you learned from the websites above:
·      Muslims account for one-fifth of the world’s population.
·      Islamic art isn’t restricted to religious work, but includes all the artistic traditions in Muslim culture.
·      Islam means “submission” from a word meaning “peace”.
·      Islam and Judaism go back to the prophet and patriarch Abraham and their three prophets are directly descendents from his sons.
·      When pilgrims go to the Kaaba, they say, “At Thy service, O Lord” in response to Abraham’s summons.

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