Worship In Islam. This essay describes prayers which are a special form of worship in Islam.

Transcription

1 Worship In Islam In Islam, everything one does or says to please God is worship. So, living a life in accordance with the teachings of Islam is worship. All daily activities including earning your livelihood and your social life, are parts of worship, as well as saying prayers, fasting, giving charity to the poor and going on pilgrimage to Mecca. This essay describes prayers which are a special form of worship in Islam. 1

2 THE HOUSE OF ISLAM 2

3 FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM The five pillars of Islam are the basic duties that a Muslim should fulfil, Salah (Prayers) is one of them. The five pillars are: 1. Shahada: To believe in the oneness of God and that Muhammad, is the messenger of God. 2. Salah: Prayers, five daily prayers. 3. Zakah: Charity to the poor. 4. Sawm: Fasting during the month of Ramadan. 5. Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca, once in one s life-time. SALAH (PRAYERS) The five daily prayers in Islam are: Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha. Prayer times are shown below: Name of the Prayer Fajr Zuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Prayer Time Dawn until before sunrise After mid-day until afternoon Late afternoon until before Sunset After sunset until day light ends Night until midnight or dawn See diagram on page 4. 3

4 PRAYER TIMES FIVE DAILY PRAYERS 4

5 SALATUL JUMU A (FRIDAY PRAYER) The Friday prayer is offered in congregation (assembly). All Muslim adults must attend the prayer. It is offered on Fridays and replaces the Zuhr prayer. This is an optional prayer for the women, although they may join in if they wish to. The worshippers arrive at the mosque or a prayer hall just after the mid-day. The Imam (one, who leads the prayer) delivers a sermon (lecture). The sermon begins with the praise of God, and then advising people to live a life of piety and responsibility. At the end of the sermon, the Imam leads the prayer. After the prayer, the Muslims greet each other. The Friday prayer provides the Muslims of that area an opportunity to meet, discuss and solve their community problems and to help the needy. It develops a sense of harmony and co-operation between the people. The Jumu a prayer is regarded as a weekly festival of Muslims. Quoutation from the Qur an: Surah Al-Jumu a, Verses 9-10 O you who believe! When the call is made for prayer on Friday, then hasten to the remembrance of God and leave off business; that is better for you, if you know. And when the prayer is ended, then disperse in the land and seek of God's bounty, and remember God much, that you may be successful. 5

6 FRIDAY PRAYER AT A UNIVERSITY IN MALAYSIA WORSHIPPERS LISTENING TO THE FRIDAY SERMON This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons. Commons is a freely licensed media file repository. 6

7 SPECIAL PRAYERS DURING THE YEAR Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha are the two symbolic festivals of Islam. These festivals are observed with devotion to seek the pleasure of God and are occasions of thanksgiving, joy and happiness. EID UL FITR Eid ul Fitr is celebrated at the end of the month of Ramadan. On this day Muslims offer a congregational prayer to express their gratitude to the Almighty God for enabling them to observe fasting during the month of Ramadan. The day is generally observed as a holiday in Muslim countries. Special dishes are prepared and it is customary to visit friends and relatives and to give presents to the children. Muslims wear their best clothes on this day. EID UL ADHA Eid ul Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice is celebrated worldwide by Muslims, when the pilgrims at Mecca complete their Hajj. On this occasion Muslims remember Prophet Abraham s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael on the command of God. God accepted his devotion and obedience and asked him to sacrifice a lamb instead. In the morning of the day, Muslim men, women and children go to a mosque to offer prayers. After the prayers, it is customary to sacrifice a lamb, sheep, cow or a camel. The meat is divided into three equal portions, one portion is given to the poor, second to the relatives, friends and neighbours, and the third is shared by the family. 7

8 EID UL FITR MEAL This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons. Commons is a freely licensed media file repository. Author: Syefri Zulkefli from Shah Alam, Malaysia 8