ISLAM AND THE ISLAM AND THE ISLAMIC SECTSISLAMIC SECTSWORLD RELIGIONSWORLD RELIGIONS

ANTHROPOLOGYANTHROPOLOGY

NEW DIMENSIONSNEW DIMENSIONS

DemographicsDemographics

Those who practice the Islamic faith are Those who practice the Islamic faith are MuslimsMuslims

Islam is distributed throughout Africa, the Islam is distributed throughout Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia and EuropeMiddle East and parts of Asia and Europe

Growing population is in the United Growing population is in the United StatesStates More than 6 million+ Muslims are U.S. More than 6 million+ Muslims are U.S.

residentsresidents

Origin/HistoryOrigin/History Abrahamic Faith: Originated in the Middle Abrahamic Faith: Originated in the Middle

East after Judaism and ChristianityEast after Judaism and Christianity

Founded by the prophet, MuhammadFounded by the prophet, Muhammad Born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia (570-632 C.E.)Born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia (570-632 C.E.)

Islam means “to submit” in ArabicIslam means “to submit” in Arabic Jihad means “fighting or striving”Jihad means “fighting or striving”

Holy war is not literal, applied to historical Holy war is not literal, applied to historical wars with non-Muslimswars with non-Muslims

DeityDeity

Monotheistic: belief in one God, AllahMonotheistic: belief in one God, Allah Allah is the sole God, the creator, the Allah is the sole God, the creator, the

sustainer and restorer of the worldsustainer and restorer of the world

Muhammad is the last, perfect of Muhammad is the last, perfect of God’s messengersGod’s messengers Others include Adam, Abraham, Moses Others include Adam, Abraham, Moses

and Jesusand Jesus

Sacred/Holy TextsSacred/Holy Texts These form the basics of Islamic lawThese form the basics of Islamic law

The Qur’an ( or the Koran) The Qur’an ( or the Koran) Written by God and revealed to Muhammad Written by God and revealed to Muhammad Never been corrupted Never been corrupted

HadithHadith Muhammad’s sayings and stories of his lifeMuhammad’s sayings and stories of his life Second to the authority of the Qur’anSecond to the authority of the Qur’an Contains specific details/laws on how to liveContains specific details/laws on how to live

Spiritual LeadersSpiritual Leaders ImamImam

Leads community prayersLeads community prayers Performs marriages and funeralsPerforms marriages and funerals Gives advice about Islamic law, chosen for Gives advice about Islamic law, chosen for

his wisdomhis wisdom

Muezzin Muezzin Crier, proclaims the call to worshipCrier, proclaims the call to worship

KhatibKhatib Preaches the Friday sermonPreaches the Friday sermon

Main TenetsMain Tenets 5 Pillars of Islam5 Pillars of Islam

1. Profession of Faith1. Profession of Faith No God but God, Muhammad is the prophet of GodNo God but God, Muhammad is the prophet of God

2. Prayer2. Prayer Must pray 5 times a day, facing MeccaMust pray 5 times a day, facing Mecca

3. The Zakat3. The Zakat Must pay an obligatory tax annually to the state Must pay an obligatory tax annually to the state

gov’tgov’t 4. Fasting4. Fasting

Must fast for the month of Ramadan (9Must fast for the month of Ramadan (9thth month) month) Daybreak-sunset: No eating, drinking, smoking, Daybreak-sunset: No eating, drinking, smoking,

sexsex 5. Hajj5. Hajj

Must make a pilgrimage to Mecca in their lifeMust make a pilgrimage to Mecca in their life

CreationCreation

Allah is the CreatorAllah is the Creator A “day” is equivalent to 50, 000 yearsA “day” is equivalent to 50, 000 years Do not believe God rested on the 7Do not believe God rested on the 7thth

dayday Why would God need to rest?Why would God need to rest?

It is a sin to confuse the Creator and It is a sin to confuse the Creator and creationcreation Nothing else should be associated with GodNothing else should be associated with God Reject Trinity and Jesus as incarnateReject Trinity and Jesus as incarnate

Death/AfterlifeDeath/Afterlife

The Qur’an posits that life is a testThe Qur’an posits that life is a test Deaths are predetermined by AllahDeaths are predetermined by Allah Day of Judgment Day of Judgment

Good to Paradise Good to Paradise Others to the FireOthers to the Fire

Dead are buried in 3 linen shroudsDead are buried in 3 linen shrouds Martyrs are buried in the clothes Martyrs are buried in the clothes

they died inthey died in

Rituals & CustomsRituals & Customs First thing a baby should hear is the call First thing a baby should hear is the call

to prayer whispered in each earto prayer whispered in each ear

Boys must be circumcised (7 mos-12 Boys must be circumcised (7 mos-12 yrs)yrs)

Parents choose the marriage partners Parents choose the marriage partners for their childrenfor their children Divorce is discouragedDivorce is discouraged More than one wife allowed More than one wife allowed

Holidays/Holy DaysHolidays/Holy Days Muslims follow a different calendar Muslims follow a different calendar

than Western worldthan Western world Based on Muhammad’s move to Medina in Based on Muhammad’s move to Medina in

622622

RamadanRamadan 99thth Muslim month Muslim month

Many other holy days (see pages 78 & Many other holy days (see pages 78 & 79)79)

WorshipWorship Fridays: all men to mosque for midday prayerFridays: all men to mosque for midday prayer

All must remove shoes and wear a habit, or hiramAll must remove shoes and wear a habit, or hiram

Women to mosqueWomen to mosque Cover hair completelyCover hair completely Seated in a separate areaSeated in a separate area Believed to distract opposite sex Believed to distract opposite sex

When in a congregation, stand shoulder to When in a congregation, stand shoulder to shoulder with no gapsshoulder with no gaps

All Muslim prayers are memorizedAll Muslim prayers are memorized Worship of idols is forbiddenWorship of idols is forbidden

No images of Allah or MuhammadNo images of Allah or Muhammad

Lifestyle PracticesLifestyle Practices Islam is a way of life, not simply a religionIslam is a way of life, not simply a religion Family life is central: care for one anotherFamily life is central: care for one another

““ummah”=communityummah”=community

Alcohol is forbiddenAlcohol is forbidden Gambling is forbiddenGambling is forbidden Consuming the meat of a pig is forbiddenConsuming the meat of a pig is forbidden

Shirk: sin regarding intercessions, Shirk: sin regarding intercessions, astrologyastrology Blasphemy or idolatryBlasphemy or idolatry

Subdivisions/SectsSubdivisions/Sects SUNNISSUNNIS

90% of Muslims (1 billion people)90% of Muslims (1 billion people) Consider themselves traditional, mainstreamConsider themselves traditional, mainstream

SHIITESSHIITES 10% of Muslims (80 million people)10% of Muslims (80 million people) Voice of militant Islamic fundamentalism Voice of militant Islamic fundamentalism

Their disputes center around the rightful Their disputes center around the rightful successors of Muhammadsuccessors of Muhammad

SUFISMSUFISM Mystical sect: believe in a direct experience with Mystical sect: believe in a direct experience with

AllahAllah