Comparative Religion
By
Dr. Meskerem Melaku, FROM ETHIOPIA, Personal assistant and Executive Secretary of His Eminency Dr. Hazrat Mohammed Nurul Alam,
43rd Direct Descendent of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
Submitted to: World spiritual institute of New York
January 2009
Addis Ababa Ethiopia
THE WORLD SPIRITUAL INSTITUTE OF NEW YORK USA HAS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THIS GIGANTIC DOCUMENT AS A UNIVERSAL PUBLICATION
FOR WORLDWIDE PUBLICITY BY THE MILLENNIUM TRADE LINK USA CORPORATION WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
His Eminency Dr. Hazrat Shah Sufi M N Alam
President World Spiritual Assembly of New York
President/CEO Millennium Trade Link USA Corp
Dated: March 1, 2010
ACKNOWLOGEMENT
I would like to send deepest gratitude to my Spiritual Guide His
Eminency Dr Hazart
Shah Sufi Mohammad Nurul Alam for his patience immense interest to constant help,
Valuable Suggestions and Corrective comments from the beginning to the completion stage of this study.
Introduction
The word religion is derived
from the Latin noun religion, which denotes both earnest observance of ritual obligations and an inward spirit of reverence.
In modern usage, religion covers a wide spectrum of meanings that reflect the enormous variety of ways the term can
be interpreted. At one extreme, many committed believers recognize only their own tradition as a religion, understanding expressions
such as worship and prayer to refer exclusively to the practices of their tradition. Although many believers
stop short of claiming an exclusive status for their tradition, they may nevertheless use vague or idealizing terms in defining
religion—for example, “true love of God,” or “the path of enlightenment.” At the other extreme,
religion may be equated with ignorance, fanaticism, or wishful thinking.
By defining religion as
a sacred engagement with what is taken to be a spiritual reality, it is possible to consider the importance of religion in
human life without making claims about what it really is or ought to be. Religion is not an object with a single, fixed meaning,
or even a zone with clear boundaries. It is an aspect of human experience that may intersect, incorporate, or transcend other
aspects of life and society. Such a definition avoids the drawbacks of limiting the investigation of religion to Western or
biblical categories such as monotheism (belief in one god only) or to church structure, which are not universal. For example,
in tribal societies, religion—unlike the Christian church—usually is not a separate institution but pervades the
whole of public and private life. In Buddhism, gods are not as central as the idea of a Buddha (fully enlightened human
being). In many traditional cultures the idea of a sacred cosmic order is the most prominent religious belief. Because of
this variety, some scholars prefer to use a general term such as the sacred to designate the common foundation of religious
life.
Religion in this understanding
includes a complex of activities that cannot be reduced to any single aspect of human experience. It is a part of individual
life but also of group dynamics. Religion includes patterns of behavior but also patterns of language and thought. It is sometimes
a highly organized institution that sets itself apart from a culture, and it is sometimes an integral part of a culture. Religious
experience may be expressed in visual symbols, dance and performance, elaborate philosophical systems, legendary and imaginative
stories, formal ceremonies, meditative techniques, and detailed rules of ethical conduct and law. Each of these elements assumes
innumerable cultural forms. In some ways there are as many forms of religious expression as there are human cultural environments.
1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
For
centuries in the world has been remembered by different kinds of religion which has large number of followers or dominant
religion they are Christianity, Islam, Jewish, and other religion.
Each
religion has its own principles and rules. But because of ideological difference and the interference of one religion to the
other they leads to conflict or it creates war.
The
main concern of this research is to identify the similarity and difference of dominant religions and to dig out some important
concepts by showing each religion or each followers of the religion have there own true principles and to come to mutual understanding
or agreement.
1.1 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
Ø
To identify similarity of each religion
Ø
To assess the difference of each religion
Ø
To assess the reason of religious war
Ø
To know what religion is
Ø
The time carried each religion come to the world and Ethiopia
1.2 METHODOLLOGY OF THE STUDY
Ø This research used the primary and secondary data, field observation and
unstructured interview for the former literatures, books, Internet, etc… are used
1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The
study might provoke the concerned bodies in to future research for better assessment in the case of religion.
1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
Due
to our world have large number of religion this research limited to assess only Christianity, Islam and Jewish.
CHAPTER TWO
2.
Christianity, Islam and Juddism
2.1) Context of Christianity
What is Christianity?
And major principles of Christianity
What is Christianity?
Christianity
is a religion based upon the teachings and miracles of Jesus. Jesus is the Christ. The word "Christ" means anointed one.
Christ is not Jesus' last name. Jesus is the anointed one from God the Father who came to this world, fulfilled the
Old Testament laws and prophecies, Christ died on the cross, and rose from the dead physically. He performed many miracles
which were recorded in the Gospels by the eyewitnesses. He is divine in nature as well as human. Thus, He has
two natures and is worthy of worship and prayer.
Christianity
teaches that there is only one God in all existence, that God made the universe, the Earth, and created Adam and Eve. God
created man in His image. This does not mean that God has a body of flesh and bones. Image means the likeness of God's
character, rationality, etc. Because we are made in the image of God, every person is worthy of respect and honor.
Furthermore, this means that we did not evolve through random processes from a single celled organism into rational, emotional
beings.
God
created Adam and Eve and put them in the Garden of Eden and gave them the freedom to choose between right and wrong. They
chose to sin. Sin is doing that which is contrary to the nature and will of God. For example, God cannot lie; therefore,
lying is sin. The sin of disobeying God that Adam and Eve committed resulted in them being expelled from the Garden
of Eden as well as suffering the effect of death.
As
a result of their sin, their children and all of us inherited a sinful nature. In other words, our offspring are not
perfect in nature -- we don't have to teach children to be selfish. They know it naturally. That which is sinful
cannot produce that which is not sinful.
Christianity
teaches that God is a Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, not three Gods), that Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity, that Jesus
died on the cross and rose from the dead physically, that all people are under the righteous judgment of God because all people
have sinned against God. It teaches that Jesus is the only way to be saved from the coming judgment of God and that
salvation is received by faith in the work of Christ on the cross and not by anything that we can do to please God
Where
all other religions in the world teach that we must do some sort of good in cooperation with God in order to achieve the right
to be in God's presence, Christianity is the only religion that teaches salvation by grace. This means that we are not
made right before God by our efforts, sincerity, or works. Instead, we are made right before God by faith in what Christ
did on the cross.
Christianity
further teaches that once a person is "born again" (becomes saved) that the Holy Spirit lives in that person and the person
is changed: "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things
passed away; behold, new things have come," (2 Cor. 5:17). This means that God actually lives in the person and
the Christian then experiences a true and living relationship with God.
Therefore, "What is Christianity?" is best answered by saying that it is a relationship
with the true and living God through the person of Jesus Christ by whom we are forgiven of our sins and escape the righteous
judgment of God.
(www.carm.org/seek/God.htm )
2.2 The Foundational Principles of Christianity
The Basics
There are five basic principles which constitute the foundational teachings of Christianity. They are, in effect,
the five pillars of Christianity. They are listed here in chronological order.
·
Inspiration and Inerrancy of Scripture
·
Virgin birth and Deity of Christ
·
Substitutionary atonement of Christ
·
Bodily resurrection of Christ from the dead
§ Second Coming of Christ
Note that one or two Scripture references accompany each topic. These are meant as examples, not as exhaustive
proofs. It is dangerous to build too much from a single verse. But that does not mean that there cannot be one representative
verse for a subject (which is how this presentation should be taken). Remember, this site is for an overview of Christianity,
not a thorough discussion.
The Word of God
The
Bible was given by God and is Truth. God, the Creator and Ruler of this world and universe, has given us His Book, the Bible.
The Bible is to serve as a guide for life.
Jesus Christ is God
The
title just above this sentence pretty much says it all. There is more to it than just that, however, since He was also human.
There is a verse given here to show that Jesus was a man, but that point does not seem to be doubted by anyone. This section
is needed to counter the notion that Jesus was a good man, a good teacher, an angel, or what have you, but not God.
Jesus Christ Died for Your Sin
When Jesus was executed by means of crucifixion, there was a divine reason.
It was part of the death and resurrection of a perfect man, to take, in your place, punishment for your sin.
Jesus Christ Rose from the Grave
The
death of Jesus would be meaningless without His subsequent resurrection. Not only would He not be that much different from
other men, but also He would not have as much authority to grant us freedom from eternal death. Everyone still must face the
death of the body, but Christians do not need to fear the death of the soul.
Jesus Christ Is Returning Someday
The
hope which motivates us as Christians comes from our future home in heaven. Those who have acknowledged Jesus as their Savior
and Ruler will be welcomed to eternal glory with Him. No one can know when the transition from this temporary earth will occur,
but we have the promise of it.
2.3 Types of Christianity
* Protestant
* Catholic
* Orthodox
Protestantism, one of the three major divisions of
Christianity, the others being Roman Catholicism and Orthodoxy. Protestantism began as a movement to reform the Western Christian
church in the 16th century, resulting in the Protestant Reformation, which severed the reformed churches from the Roman Catholic
Church. The declared aim of the original reformers was to restore the Christian faith as it had been at its beginning, while
keeping what they thought valuable from the Roman Catholic tradition that had developed during the intervening centuries.
The four main Protestant
traditions that emerged from the Reformation were the Lutheran (known in continental Europe as Evangelical), the Calvinist
(Reformed), the Anabaptist, and the Anglican. Despite the considerable differences among them in doctrine and practice, they
agreed in rejecting the authority of the pope and in emphasizing instead the authority of the Bible and the importance of
individual faith.
The term Protestantism
was given to the movement after the second Diet of Speyer (1529), an imperial assembly at which the Roman Catholic majority
withdrew the tolerance granted to Lutherans at the first diet three years earlier. A protest was signed by six Lutheran princes
and the leaders of 14 free cities of Germany, and Lutherans in general became known as Protestants. The term Protestant
has gradually been attached to all Christian churches that are not Roman Catholic or part of the Orthodox or other Eastern
Christian traditions. In the late 1990s the world had about 400 million Protestants (including some 64 million Anglicans),
constituting about one-fifth of all affiliated Christians.
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The Protestant movement
actually preceded the 16th-century Reformation. Several dissident movements in the late medieval church anticipated the Reformation
by protesting the pervasive corruption in the church and by criticizing fundamental Catholic teachings.
Beginning in the 12th
century, the Waldensians (see Waldenses), followers of the merchant Peter Waldo of Lyons, France, practiced what they
believed to be the simple, uncorrupted Christianity of the primitive church. The movement, concentrated in France and Italy,
survived violent official persecution, and during the Reformation many Waldensians adopted Calvinism.
In the 1380s the Lollards
arose in England, inspired by the teachings of the theologian John Wycliffe. Wycliffe denied the authority of morally corrupted
church prelates, rejected transubstantiation and other traditional teachings, and advocated biblical faith. The Lollards suffered
persecution but survived to play a role in the English Reformation.
Wycliffe’s teachings strongly
influenced the Bohemian reformer Jan Hus (John Huss), whose followers, called Hussites, reformed the Bohemian church and achieved
virtual independence after Hus’s martyrdom in 1415. Many converted to Lutheranism in the 16th century.
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® Encarta ® 2007. © 1993-2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
A number of conditions
in 16th-century Europe account for the success of Martin Luther and the other reformers as compared to their predecessors.
Both the Holy Roman emperor (see Holy Roman Empire) and the pope were declining in power and were preoccupied with
the threat posed by the Ottoman Empire. The invention of printing in the 15th century made possible the rapid dissemination
of the reformers’ ideas. Finally, the growth of secular learning, the rise of nationalism, and the increasing resentment
of the pope’s authority among both rulers and ordinary citizens made people, especially in northern Europe, more receptive
to Protestant teachings.
(
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)
Judaism, religious culture of the Jews (also known as the people of Israel);
one of the world’s oldest continuing religious traditions.
The terms Judaism and
religion do not exist in premodern Hebrew. The Jews spoke of Torah, God’s revealed instruction to Israel, which
mandated both a worldview and a way of life—Halakhah. Halakhah derives from the Hebrew word “to go” and
has come to mean the “way” or “path.” It encompasses Jewish law, custom, and practice. Premodern Judaism,
in all its historical forms, thus constituted (and traditional Judaism today constitutes) an integrated cultural system encompassing
the totality of individual and communal existence. It is a system of sanctification in which all is to be subsumed under God’s
rule—that is, under divinely revealed models of cosmic order and lawfulness. Christianity originated as one among several
competing Jewish ideologies in 1st-century Palestine, and Islam drew in part on Jewish sources at the outset. Because most
Jews, from the 7th century on, have lived within the cultural sphere of either Christianity or Islam, these religions have
had an impact on the subsequent history of Judaism.
Judaism originated in
the land of Israel (also known as Palestine) in the Middle East. Subsequently, Jewish communities have existed at one time
or another in almost all parts of the world, a result of both voluntary migrations of Jews and forced exile or expulsions
(see Diaspora). According to the American Jewish Yearbook, the total world Jewish population in the year 2000
was estimated at 13.2 million, of whom 5.7 million lived in the United States, 4.8 million in Israel, 530,000 in France, and
438,000 in the former Soviet Union. These are the four largest centers of Jewish settlement. Other significant Jewish communities
are found in Canada (360,000), Great Britain (276,000), Argentina (200,000), and South Africa (80,000).
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Roman Catholic Church
The largest single Christian
body, composed of those Christians who acknowledge the supreme authority of the bishop of Rome, the pope, in matters of faith.
The word catholic (Greek katholikos) means “universal” and has been used to designate the church
since its earliest period, when it was the only Christian church.
The Roman Catholic Church
regards itself as the only legitimate inheritor, by an unbroken succession of bishops descending from Saint Peter to the present
time, of the commission and powers conferred by Jesus Christ on the 12 apostles. The church has had a profound influence on
the development of European culture and on the introduction of European values into other civilizations. Its total membership
in the late 1990s was about 1 billion (about 52 percent of the total number of affiliated Christians, or 16 percent of the
world population). The church has its greatest numerical strength in Europe and Latin America but also has a large membership
in other parts of the world.
In keeping with early
Christian traditions, the fundamental unit of organization in the Roman Catholic Church is the diocese, headed by a bishop.
The church comprises nearly 2,000 dioceses and 561 archdioceses, which are more distinguished sees (areas of jurisdiction)
that have certain responsibilities for governance in the dioceses attached to them. The major church in a diocese is the cathedral,
where the bishop presides at worship and other ceremonies. The cathedral contains the bishop’s “throne”
or “chair” (Latin cathedra), from which in the early church he preached to his congregation.
( Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2007. © 1993-2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. )
Orthodox Church
one of the three historic
and distinctive types of Christianity, along with the Roman Catholic Church and the diverse body of Protestant churches. Orthodoxy
is the form of Christianity that developed first in the Eastern Roman Empire (which spanned present-day Greece, Turkey, and
the Middle East) and later in the Slavic lands of eastern Europe. The Orthodox Church sees itself as the authentic continuation
of the first Christian communities established by the apostles of Jesus in the cities of the ancient Mediterranean world and
spread by missionary activity throughout eastern Europe. Today most Orthodox Christians live in Russia, eastern Europe, or
on the Balkan Peninsula, but there are also large Orthodox communities in North and South America as well as Australia, and
smaller numbers in western Europe, Africa, and Asia. By the year 2000 the Orthodox Church had about 210 million adherents
throughout the world. Of these, about 15 million are Greek-speaking; the rest speak Slavic or other European languages, or
Arabic. Alternative designations, such as Catholic Apostolic and Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, and Eastern Orthodox, are also
used in reference to the Orthodox Church.
Christianity began in
the Roman Empire in the first century. It flourished especially in the eastern territories of the empire. By the end of the
4th century, it had become the official religion of the empire. By late in the 5th century the Roman Empire in the Latin-speaking
West had fallen into political ruin, but it continued in the Greek-speaking eastern Mediterranean region for another thousand
years, with a succession of emperors, a powerful army, and a lively Greek Christian culture. The later Roman Empire is commonly
known as the Byzantine Empire, with its capital at the “new Rome” of Constantinople (now İstanbul, Turkey).
After the 5th century the religious cultures of Greek-speaking and Latin-speaking Christians began increasingly to diverge,
and cultural alienation set in. In 1054 the leaders of the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians formally condemned
one another for having introduced innovations into Christianity, and the alienation was given formal status as a schism
(division). Since that time Christianity in eastern and western Europe has had decidedly different histories.
The Orthodox Church asserts that it professes the original Christian
faith, transmitted accurately through the centuries from the time of the apostles. The word orthodoxy, in fact, comes
from Greek words meaning “right belief.” The church finds this original faith in the Bible; in the writings of
early church bishops or so-called fathers—such as Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory of Nazianzus, and Saint John
Chrysostom; and in the ancient traditions of the church, especially as expressed in the rites of worship.
The Orthodox Church is
very conservative in regard to doctrinal purity. Even so, this characteristic concern for continuity and tradition
does not imply obsession with the past for its own sake, but rather a sense of identity and consistency with the original
testimony of the apostles. The Holy Spirit, bestowed on the church at Pentecost, is seen as guiding the whole church “in
all truth” (John 16:13). The power of teaching and guiding the community resides in certain ministries, particularly
that of the bishop of each diocese, or certain institutions, such as councils. Nevertheless, because the church is composed
not only of bishops, or of clergy, but of the whole laity as well, the Orthodox Church strongly affirms that the guardian
of truth is the entire “people of God.”
( Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2007. © 1993-2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. )
2.4 the similarities and differences between various
Christian churches including Roman Catholic Orthodox and Protestant churches?
The
main differences are that the Orthodox Church was founded by Jesus Christ in the year 33 AD and has continued unchanged for
more than 2,000 years, whereas the Roman Catholics were formed in 1054 AD and the Protestants were founded as late as 1517
by Martin Luther, and have split into literally thousands of groups since then.
This
does not mean that all Orthodox are going to heaven and all Protestants are going to hell. But it does show that they have
a completely different history from their very foundation.
Another
major difference is that the Orthodox and Catholics honors the Blessed Virgin Mary and venerate holy icon, but the Protestants
do not. Icons are venerated and honored (in the same way that we would honor a picture of our mother or father) but icons
are not worshipped. Worship is reserved for God alone.
The
Protestants also place all their faith on the Holy Bible, whereas the Orthodox place equal emphasis on the Holy Bible and
the Holy Tradition. The reason for this is because the Early Church for many centuries did not even have a Bible, let alone
a printing press or a population that could read or write. So the oral traditions of the Apostles which they handed down to
us became the Holy Tradition. After all, it was this same Holy Tradition of the Church that gave us the Holy Bible we have
today, and this was many centuries before the Protestant groups had even emerged.
The
Roman Catholics place great emphasis on the Pope, whereas the Orthodox do not accept the supremacy of one man over the whole
church, as this has never previously existed in the history of the church. The Pope is the head of the Roman Catholics whereas
Jesus Christ is the head of the Orthodox Church. The Orthodox Church has a collegial hierarchy of equal Patriarchs and other
bishops who preside over church synods and councils, which is similar to what the Protestants have, who also do not have a
Pope.
2.5 Historical background of Christianity in Ethiopia
The
adoption of Christianity in Ethiopia dates to the fourth-century reign of the Aksumite emperor Ezana. Aksum's geographic location,
at the southernmost edge of the Hellenized Near East, was critical to its conversion and development. The kingdom was located
along major international trade routes through the Red Sea between India and the Roman empire. The story of Ezana's conversion
has been reconstructed from several existing documents, the ecclesiastical histories of Rufinus and Socrates Scholasticus.
Both recount how Frumentius, a youth from Tyre, was shipwrecked and sent to the court of Aksum. Frumentius sought out Christian
Roman merchants, was converted, and later became the first bishop of Aksum. At the very least, this story suggests that Christianity
was brought to Aksum via merchants. Ezana's decision to adopt Christianity was most likely influenced by his desire to solidify
his trading relationship with the Roman empire. Christianity afforded the possibility of unifying the many diverse ethnic
and linguistic peoples of the Aksumite kingdom, a goal of Ezana's leadership. Aksum was one of the earliest states to develop
a coin system in order to service its sophisticated and prosperous economy. Emperor Ezana was the first world leader to put
the cross on coins that are the earliest examples of Christian material culture from Ethiopia.
Remains
of distinctive Aksumite church architecture have been located in Aksum, Matara, and Adulis. These are oriented basilicas with
stepped podia, which are accessed by a monumental set of stairs. These churches include an apse with lateral square chambers,
introduced into the design of basilicas along the south coast of Asia Minor, Syria, and Palestine by the fifth century. The
construction of churches is believed to have served the religious needs of the new administrative and military officials settling
in expanded territories. The growth of the Aksumite state ended after the Persian conquest of South Arabia, which displaced
the trade routes of the Red Sea.
While
its origins are unclear, the Zagwe dynasty arose sometime during this period of reduced wealth and international prestige
and probably lasted until 1270. The almost complete lack of surviving manuscripts makes it difficult to obtain a clear picture
of the period. After the abandonment of Aksum, the previous political and economic capital, the city of Roha, now called Lalibela,
was established as the ceremonial center of the Zagwe dynasty. Churches most likely based on Aksumite precedents were hewn
out of living rock in the mountains of Lasta. The Church of the Redeemer, the largest and perhaps most famous church at Lalibela,
may be an architectural copy of the Cathedral of Mary of Zion at Aksum. The interiors of these magnificent structures were
covered with paintings and murals.
Yekunno Amlak's overthrow of the reigning Zagwe dynasty in 1270 marks the beginning
of the Early Solomonic period (1270–1530). Amlak based his claim to legitimacy on an alleged lineage with the ancient
rulers of Aksum originating with King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. This period was one of dramatic social and cultural
change and development. Extensive international trade returned to Ethiopia since Europeans were seeking alternatives to trading
along Islamic-controlled routes. This resurgence lasted until the Portuguese rounded the Cape of Good Hope. Evoking the legend
of King Solomon, rulers of this period established royal churches lavishly decorated with wall paintings, gold ornamentation,
and precious fabrics. These included the famous rock-hewn churches of Tegre and Lasta. Through affiliations with monastic
leaders, these secular rulers used artistic patronage, including the recruitment of European artisans, to establish their
authority and enhance their prestige. This interface with Europe exposed Ethiopian artists to new mediums, technologies, and
aesthetic sensibilities. These influences are reflected in wall paintings through a shift from rigid frontality and the widespread
use of geometric patterning to a three-quarter pose, a greater fluidity of line, and the use of modeling to describe three-dimensional
volumetric figures. This new style contained elements of both Byzantine and Italian prototypes.
Monasteries,
for example the Dabra Hayq Estifanos monastery in Amhara, were established as centers of learning. These complexes often contained
extensive scriptoria for extraordinary illuminated manuscripts, of which very few survive. The labor-intensive work of the
scriptorium was often considered a crucial dimension in a monk's spiritual training. There were many monasteries in the region
of Lake Tana, including that of Fré Seyon, one of two known artists of this period. Seyon is credited with the development
of the devotional Marian Icon images and style. Mary became an extremely important figure in the Ethiopian church when Emperor
Zar'a Ya'eqob (r. 1434–68) mandated the reading of the Miracles of the Virgin Mary and that she be honored at most of
the thirty feast days in the liturgical year. Zar'a Ya'eqob was particularly successful at utilizing the power of her visual
imagery to publicly emphasize teachings about her centrality to Christian salvation.
The
Islamic jihads of 1531 through 1543 by the neighboring state of Adal destroyed many royal churches, libraries, and monasteries,
resulting in the loss of all of their records. Rare examples of the extraordinary royal patronage of the Early Solomonic period
that survived were preserved in extremely remote, inaccessible monasteries. A long period of chaos followed the Adalite invasion,
including subsequent incursions by enterprising groups seeking to fill the power void left by the fall of the Aksumites. In
the seventeenth century, the significantly reduced Christian empire established the new capital of Gondar. Until its assault
by Tigray in 1769, Gondar was the spiritual, artistic, and political center of the empire and therefore was a site for the
principle scriptoria and painters' workshops, as well as architectural innovations.
While
earlier Aksumite churches were circular, later constructions deliberately attempted to mimic those of the description of King
Solomon's temple in the Old Testament. The churches built in Gondar have a square sanctuary with two aisles running along
the periphery. The interiors are entirely covered in both murals and paintings that were commissioned by the wealthy elite
in order to assist in their ascension to heaven. This was a period of intense artistic production, including, in particular,
considerable quantities of icons devoted to the Virgin Mary.
The
Ethiopian royal dynasty remained intact until the overthrow in 1974 of Haile Selassie, the last Christian emperor, by a military
coup.
1.5
Christianity to the Ethiopian society and its
practices( division)
Ethiopia is the second-oldest Christian state in the world, after Armenia. Saint Frumentius
of Tyre is said to have converted the King of Axum, King Ezana during the fourth century AD. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church,
an Oriental Orthodox Church which is the largest Christian denomination in Ethiopia (it claims that 50% of the Ethiopian population
are church members) and was part of the Coptic Orthodox Church until 1959, is the only pre-colonial Orthodox church in Sub-Saharan
Africa.
According
to the 1994 Census of Government and the CIA World Factbook, 61.6% of the Ethiopian population is Christian [1] (these figures further state that 50.6% are Ethiopian Orthodox, various Protestant denominations (such as the Ethiopian Orthodox
Tehadeso Church, P'ent'ay, and the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, are 10.1%, and the Ethiopian Catholics constitute
0.9% of the population). However, data from surveys of the U.S. Department of States claim that just over 50% of the country
is Christian (40 to 45% of the population belongs to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, about 10% are members of Christian evangelical
and Pentecostal groups)
2.3 Historical background
of Islam
2.3.1 Context of Islam
What is Islam? And
major principals of Islam
What is Islam?
Islam
is an Arabic word that denotes submission, surrender, and obedience. As a religion, Islam stands for complete submission and
obedience to Allah - that is why it is called Islam. The other literal meaning of the word "Islam" is "peace." This signifies
that one can achieve real peace of body and of mind only through submission and obedience to Allah. Such a life of obedience
brings peace of the heart and establishes real peace in society at large.
Those
who believe and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of God-indeed it is in the remembrance of God alone that the heart
of man finds rest-those who believe and act righteously, joy is for them, and a blissful home to return to. (13: 28-29)
This
message was preached by all the Prophets of God, who guided man to the right path. But man not only veered away from the right
path again and again, but also lost or distorted the code of guidance that the prophets had bequeathed. That was why other
prophets were sent to restate the original message and guide man back to the right path. The last of these prophets was Mohammed,
who Presented God's guidance in its final form and arranged to preserve it for all time. It is this guidance that is now known
as Islam and is enshrined in the Qur'an and the life-example (Sunnah) of the Prophet.
The
basic Islamic concept is that the whole universe was created by God, whom Islam calls Allah, and who is the Lord and the Sovereign
of the universe, which He Alone sustains. He created man and appointed for each human being a fixed period of life that he
is to spend upon the earth. Allah has prescribed a certain code of life as the correct one for mankind, but has, at the same
time, conferred upon man the freedom of choice as to whether or not he adopts this code as the actual basis of his life. One
who chooses to follow the code revealed by God becomes a Muslim (believer) and one who refuses to follow it becomes a kafir
(disbeliever).
A
man joins the fold of Islam by honestly believing in and professing faith in the oneness of God and the prophet hood of Mohammed.
Both of these beliefs are epitomized in the kalimah (the article of faith):
La
ilaha illa Allah, Mohammed Rasul Allah. (There is no god except Allah; Mohammed is His Prophet.)
The
first part of the kalimah presents the concept of tawhid (the oneness of God) and its second part affirms the prophet hood
of Mohammed.
What
does Islam mean?
islam isn't just a title or name of a religion, it's also a word in Arabic which is
rich in meaning and has many connections to other fundamental Islamic concepts. Understanding the concept of "Islam," or "submission,"
is critical to understanding the religion which derives its name from it — not only can it make critiques of Islam better
informed, but there are in fact good reasons to critique and question Islam on the basis of the concept of submission to an
authoritarian god.
Islam,
Submission, Surrender to God
The
Arabic term 'islam means "submission" and itself comes from the term 'aslama, which means "to surrender, resign oneself."
In Islam, the fundamental duty of each Muslim is to submit to Allah (Arabic for "the God") and whatever Allah wants of them.
A person who follows Islam is called a Muslim, and this means "one who surrenders to God." It is thus clear that the concept
of submission to the will, desires, and commands and God is inextricably linked to Islam as a religion — it's an inherent
part of the name of the religion, of the religion's followers, and of the basic tenets of Islam.
When
a religion originally develops in a cultural context where total submission to absolute rulers and total submission to the
head of a family are taken for granted, it's hardly surprising that a religion would reinforce these cultural values and add
on top of them the idea of total submission to a god. In modern society where we have learned the importance of equality,
universal suffrage, personal autonomy, and democracy, though, such values seem out of place and should be challenged.
Why
is it good or appropriate to "submit" to a god? Even if we assume that some god exists, it cannot automatically follow that
humans have any sort of moral obligation to completely submit or surrender to the will of this god. It certainly can't be
argued that the sheer power of such a god creates such an obligation — it might be prudent to submit to a more powerful
being, but prudence is not something that can be described as a moral obligation. On the contrary, if humans have to submit
or surrender to such a god out of fear of the consequences, it merely reinforces the idea that this god is itself unethical.
We
must also remember the fact that since no gods appear before us to deliver instructions, submission to any "god" entails on
a practical level submission to this god's self-appointed representatives as well as whatever traditions and regulations they
create. Many criticize the totalitarian nature of Islam because it seeks to be an all-encompassing ideology which controls
every aspect of life: ethics, manners, laws, etc.
For
some atheists, rejection of belief in gods is closely connected with believing that we need to reject all totalitarian rulers
as part of the development of human freedom. Mikhail Bakunin, for example, wrote that "the idea of God implies the abdication
of human reason and justice; it is the most decisive negation of human liberty, and necessarily ends in the enslavement of
mankind, in theory and practice" and that "if God really existed, it would be necessary to abolish Him."
Although
the comments above focus on Islam in particular, they should not be percussive as limited solely to Islam. Other religions
also teach that the most important value or behavior for believers is to submit to whatever that religion's god wants. Usually
this principle is only made explicit by conservative and fundamentalist believers, but while more liberal and moderate believers
may downplay the importance of this principle, none go so far as to teach that it's legitimate to disobey or ignore their
god.
PRINCIPLES OF ISLAM
BASIC
BELIEF
·
Allah
·
Angles of Allah
·
Books of Allah
·
Messengers of Allah
·
Al Qadar
·
Akhirah
PILLARS
OF ISLAM
1.
SHAHADA (The First Pillar of Islam)
2.
SALAH (The Second Pillar of Islam)
·
Performance of Wudu
·
Adhan (call to prayer)
·
Iqamah
·
Performance of Salah
3.
ZAKAT (The Third Pillar of Islam)
4.
SAWM RAMADAN (The Fourth Pillar of Islam)
5.
Hajj (The Fifth Pillar of Islam)
·
Pilgrimage has innumerable benefits
·
Manner of Ihram
·
After assuming the Ihram
PILLARS
OF ISLAM
In
Islam there are five basic duties which Muslims must perform. They are known as the five pillars of Islam (Arkanul Islam).
These are: Shahadah, the establishment of prayer (Salah), the payment of Zakah (paying the poor due), the Hajj (pilgrimage
to Makkah and Sawm Ramadan (fasting the month of Ramadan).
SHAHADA
(The First Pillar of Islam)
“La llaha illal-lahu Muhammad resululah“
“There
is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah“
This
declaration is called “Shahadah”.
1.
Shahadah means that there is only One Lord, Allah, the Creator, the Organizer, the Planner and the Sustainer of
the Universe.
2.
Shahadah means that Allah has the most Beautiful Names and Qualities mentioned by the Qur’an or Prophet
Muhammad (SAW). ALL names and qualities of Allah are taken without changing their meanings or neglecting them. We should keep
in mind that ”Nothing is like unto Allah” (Qura’n 42:11). Therefore, it does not meet with Majesty of Allah
to be confined with a time or a place and it is not accepted that Allah existed in any of His creation including Jesus Christ
(peace be upon him).
3.
Shahadah means that Muhammad (SAW) is the messenger of Allah, Allah Says: “Muhammad is the messenger of
Allah and the seal of the prophets” (Qura’n 33:40). “And whatever the messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take
it and whatever he forbids you, abstain from it”. (Qura’n 59:1). “Say (O Muhammad) if you love Allah follow
me Allah loves you” (Qura’n 3:31).
Therefore,
whatever any one says may be taken or rejected as to whether his sayings are in accordance with the Book of Allah (the Qura’n)
or with the tradition of prophet Muhammad (SAW) (Sayings and deeds).
In
order to become a Muslim, you have to utter “Shahadah” by your tongue and your actions should confirm the meanings
of Shahadah.
SALAH
(The Second Pillar of Islam)
The
second pillar of Islam is performing Salah (prayer). The Muslim is enjoined to perform five obligatory prayers every day to
keep himself in relation with his Lord, to invoke and implore Him, and to refrain himself from committing lewdness or indecency.
These prayers not only ensure psychological rest to the Muslim in this present life, but they also pave the way to him to
gain eternal happiness in the hereafter.
To
perform prayer, one should be clean, wearing clean clothes and perform prayer in a clean place.
The
Muslim should always cleanse himself by pure water. He should remove all traces of stool, urine, or any other dirt. Before
prayer the Muslim should perform Wudu (ablution).
Prayer
is the pillar of religion. It succeeds in importance the Shahadah Therefore, it is not only a duty on the Muslim to observe
performing prayers from his maturity up to his death, but he should also order his household to perform it. He should also
order his children to start practicing it from the time when they are 7 years old so that they may be accustomed to perform
it. Allah Says:
“enjoined on the believers.” (Qur’an 4:103).Performing prayers at
fixed times has been
The
prophet (SAW) said: “The obligation which distinguishes betus and the unbelievers is prayer”. Therefore, whosoever
resists prayer, becomes unbeliever. Prayer is a duty on the Muslim in all circumstances. Even if he is sick or frightened
he should perform his daily prayers, standing, sitting or even lying.
The
five obligatory daily prayers are the Morning Prayer (Fajr), the noon prayer (Zuhr), the afternoon prayer (Asr), the evening
prayer (Maghrib) and the night prayer (Ishaa).
The
time due to Morning Prayer begins at true dawn and extends until the sun rises. It should not be delayed beyond this span
of time. The time for noon prayer starts from the Zawal (a little after the sun passes the meridian) and extends till one’s
shadow becomes equal to its own length plus the length of its noon- time shadow. The time enjoined for afternoon prayer starts
after the end of noon-prayer time and extends until the sun turns yellow. One must hasten to perform it while the sun is still
bright. The time for Maghrib prayer begins soon after sunsets and lasts till the disappearance of the twilight. Its performance
should not be delayed. The time for Ishaa prayer begins after the disappearance of the twilight and lasts till midnight. If
a Muslim delays one of these five prayers, he commits a grievous sin. He should turn to Allah in repentance and refrain himself
from recommitting it. The Qura’n warns those who delay their prayers from its fixed times.
“Woe unto those who pray but delay their prayers from its stated fixed time”
(Quran 107: 7-4).
Performance
of Wudu (Ablution)
Wudu
is the act of washing those parts of the body that are generally exposed. The water should be pure clean and fresh with no
change in its colour, taste and smell. Wudu is done as follows:
1.
Make a full intention of performing the Wudu for offering prayer and recite. “Bismillahir – rahmanir
– rahim“, (in the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Most Merciful).
2.
Wash hands up to the wrists three times, passing the fingers in between each other.
3.
Rinse your mouth with water three times.
4.
Rinse the nostrils with water, sniffing up water and blowing it out.
5.
Wash the face from the forehead to the chin bone and from ear to ear three times.
6.
Wash the right arm followed by the left up to elbows three times.
7.
Brush up the whole head with wet hands.
8.
Pass the wet tips of the index fingers inside and the wet tips of the thumbs outside the ears.
9.
Wash the feet up to the ankles three times. The right foot is washed first and then the left, taking care to wash
in between the toes.
The
same Wudu may be used for several prayers. However, if a Muslim urinates, defecates, passes wind or loses his consciousness
for any reason after Wudu he should re-perform it again before prayer.
If
a Muslim is in a state of major impurity (discharged semen in erotic dreams, or practiced intercourse … etc), he should
clean his body by taking a bath. Women also should carry out this cleansing bath to purify themselves after menstruation or
childbirth. Allah has disburdened women and exempted them from performing prayer during menstruation and childbirth till blood
stops (for a maximum of 40 days according to some scholars or 60 days according to others).
If
a Muslim is in a desert area or on a journey and finds no water, or if he fears that using water will harm him (because of
sickness), he is permitted to purify himself by using good clean earth or sand instead of water. This is called, Tayammum,
(purification with earth). It is done in the following way: you intend by heart to perform it, then you strike the dust (or
sand) with your hands and wipe your hands over your face, your right hand by your left hand and your left hand by your right
hand. Purification with earth is also permissible to women after the period of menstruation or confinement if water is not
available, or if its could harm them.
Adhan
(call to prayer)
The
person who gives the Adhan is called the mu’azzin (Caller).
While
calling for prayer, he stands in the Minaret or in the courtyard of the mosque, facing the Qiblah and raises his hands to
his ears and calls out.
Iqamah
Iqamah
is another call to prayer said just before the actual start of Salah. The following is aid (in Arabic language):
1.
Allah is great twice.
2.
I bear witness that there is no god but Allah once.
3.
I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger once.
4.
Rush to prayer once.
5.
Rush to success once.
6.
The prayer has begun twice.
7.
Allah great twice.
8.
There is no god but Allah once.
9.
It is similar to Adhan except that after Hayya alal falah the following added:
Performance
of Salah
A
prayer consists of either two, three or four Raka’at: A Raka’at is performed in the following way:
1.
Stand erect, facing the direction of Ka’aba in makkah, and make the Niyyat (the intention) in your mind
of what prayer you are about to offer, preferably uttering t to yourself, Raise both hands up to the ears and say:
Bring
them down or place the right hand upon the left below the chest and above the navel.
2.
Recite the Opening Chapter of the Holy ura’n (the Fatiha):
\ .
Alhamdu
lillahi rabbil aalameen, ar-ahmanir-rahim, maliki yawm-id-deen, iyyaka na’abudu wa iyyaka nasta,een; ihdinas-siratal
mustaqeema sirat-alla-zina an,ammta alayhim ghairil magh-doobi alayhim a-lad-daaleen (ameen).
The
meaning of this glorious sura can be translated as follows:
“In
the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Most-Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds The Most–Merciful
the Most Compassionate. The Master of the Day of Judgment: You Alone we worship, and you Alone we ask for help. Show us the
straight way, the way of those whom you have blessed, who have not incurred your displeasure, nor gone astray.”
These
verses of Quran, and all other verses, should be recited in Arabic language.
Then
recite a passage from the Holy Qur’an. For this purpose any one of the small chapters may be selected as, for instance,
the chapter termed, ‘The Unity,”
Bismillahir
rahmanir rahim
“Kul
Huwallahu ahad, Allahus samad, lam Yalid wa lam yulad, wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad”.
In
the Name of Allah the Compassionate, the Most Merciful
“Say:
He is Allah, the One, Allah, the eternally besought of all.
He
begets not no is He begotten. And there is none comparable
Unto
Him“.
3.
Say: “Allaho-Akbar” and bow down in Ruk’u and say thrice:
Subhan
Rabbiyal-azeem (How gloriois my Lord the Great).
4.
Assume the standing position, letting the hands remain on the sides and say:
(Allah has listened to him who has praised Him; Our Lord, praise be to you)
5.
Saying” Allahu-Akbar” and prostrate to perform the Saidah, saying thrice: Subhan Rabbiyal-a’la
(All glory be to my Lord, the Most High)
6.
Raise yourself sitting for a which in a reverential posture, termed Jalsah and say once.
Allahummaghfirli
warhamni. (O Allah ! forgive me and have mercy upon me).
7.
Perform the second sajdah exactly in the same way as the first one. This finishes one Raka’at.
8.
Say “ Allahu Akbar, stand erct once again, repeat all that done in the perfomance of the first Raka’at.
9.
After the second Raka’at second Sajdan is over, say “Allahu-Akbar” and sit down in the reverential
posture and recite.
10. If
more than two Raka’at are to be performed, say “Allahu Akbar”, stand up again, and complete one two Raka’at
as the case may be, sit down in the reverential posture which is also obviously adopted if the prayer consists of two Raka,at
only. In that reverential posture, recite in addition to Tashahud, the Salawat
11. Turn
your face to the right and say Assalamu-alaykum wa rahmatullah (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah). Then turn it to
the let and repeat the same. Here the prayer is complete. .
ZAKAT
(The Third Pillar of Islam)
ALLAH
ordained every Muslim who possesses a certain amount a certain amount of property to pay annually of these possessions the
Zakah to the poor, or to the other categories mentioned in the Quran.
The
minimum amount in the gold liable to payment of zakat is 20 miskals ( miskal is equal to 4 68 grams ) and the minimum amount
of Silver is 200 dirhams ( dirham is equal to 3.12 grams ) or an equivalent some of current money to these amounts.
There
is also a minimum amount for goods of commerce liable to payment of zakat as for grains, its minimum amount is 300 saa’a
(about 650 kg ) .the minimum amount for real estates prepared for sale should be estimated in accordance with its value but
if the real estate is prepared for lease, the estimation is consid ered in accordance with its rent.
The
annual amount of Zakah fixed on money, gold, silver and goods of commerce is 2.5% As for cereals grins and fruits, the fixed
amount of Zakah fixed on money, gold, silver and of 10% the crop is the yield of an easily irrigated land (i.e. a land irrigated
by rivers springs or rain). On the other hand if the land is irrigated with difficulty by man mad means as pump or other lifting
apparatus, the amounts of Zakah become only 5% Zakah of grains fruits and crops is due at the harvest time. In case if a land
yields two or other harvests annually, one should pay the Zakah for each harvest independently the amount of Zakah due on
camels, cows, and sheep is explained in books dealing with this subject. Zakah is enjoined by the Qura’n.
In
fact, the Zakah has a wonderful social role. It soothes the poor’s feelings, satisfies their needs, and strengthens
the bonds of mutual love among poor and rich.
Zakah
is not the only mean that Islam has used to maintain social solidarity and cooperation among Muslims, but Islam imposed also
on the rich to support the poor at times of famines. Islam prohibits the Muslim form being sated with food while his neighbor
is hungry. Islam enjoined also Zakat-al-fitr (fitrfeast-Due) on all Muslims and has made it a duty on every one of them to
distribute a saa (a cubic measure) of elementary substances for himself and a similar saa for each one of those whom he supports,
including his servants. The amount should be distributed among the poor, before the prayer of Feast day. Islam imposed also
expiatory gifts on the Muslim who commits perjury (that is to feed ten poor or clothe them, or to fast thee days, if he is
unable to feed or clothe the poor). The Muslim is commanded to perform his vows, and practice voluntary charity. Allah promised
to give the best reward for those who spend their money for His sake. Their reward will not only be multiplied to ten folds,
but to 700 folds, or even to a boundless number.
On
the authority of Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him), who said:
The
Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There will be seven persons sheltered under the shade
of Allah on the Day of Judgement when there will be no other shade be-besides His shade. They are: a just ruler; a young man
who passes his youth in worship and service of Allah – the Lord of Honor and Glory ; one whose heart is perpetually
attached to the mosque; two such persons who love each other for the sake of Allah, they joined together for His sake and
parted for His sake; a man who is invited for sin by a rich beautiful woman but declines, saying: I fear Allah; One who gives
charity in a secret way without making a show, in a way that his left hand does not know what his right hand spent; and one
who remembers Allah in solitude so that his eyes overflow ( fill with tears).
(Bukhari
and Muslim)
SAWM
RAMADAN (The Fourth Pillar of Islam)
The
fourth pillar of Islam is to fast during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Hijri calendar.
Before
the dawn of the first day of Ramadan, the Muslim in-tends to fast this month, and abstains every day from drinking, eating,
or practicing sex till after the sun sets, He performs the fasting till the end of the month of Ramadan, fulfilling by that
the commandment of Allah, and seeking His pleasure.
Fasting
has innumerable benefits. When man refrains himself from lusts, abstains from eating and drinking for the sake of Allah, he
does this only for one purpose; this is to obey Allah, worship Him and fill his heart with God-fearing.
Fasting
has also innumerable hygienic, economic and social benefits which are perceived only be those who perform it with strong belief
and sincere faith. The Quran states,
“O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as was prescribed for those
before you, so that you may be God-fearing”…
“The
month of Ramadan, in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of guidance and the criterion
(of right and wrong), whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and who is sick or on a journey let him fast the
same number of other days. Allah desires for you ease; He desire not hardship for you. You should complete the period and
you should magnify Allah for having guided you and you may be thankful.” (Qur’an 2: 183 – 185).
According
to rules of the Qur’an and the prophetic traditions it is permissible for a sick Muslim, a Muslim travelling on a journey,
a menstruating woman, or a confined woman not to fast, but to make up for what they missed.
Foster-mothers
and pregnant women are also permitted to break their fast if fasting will harm them or their babies, but they should compensate
this fully by fasting other equal days. If man drinks or eats absent-mindedly which fasting, he should get out what is still
in his mouth as soon as he remembers that he is fasting. In this case his fasting is not broken and he can continue his fasting.
Hajj
(The Fifth Pillar of Islam)
Pilgrimage
(Hajj) is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is a duty for a Muslim to perform pilgrimage to the House of Allah once in lifetime,
however it is permissible to him to do pilgrimage voluntarily more than once.
Pilgrimage
has innumerable benefits:
1.
In fulfilling this service, man expresses his devotion to Allah, not only by performing rites which need physical
effort, but he expresses also his deep spiritual devotion to Allah and spends of his money for His sake.
2.
Pilgrimage is an annual Muslim-congress, attended by Muslims from all over the world.
Muslims
in pilgrimage meet in one place, Makkah, dressed in one uniform, worshipping Allah, the One God, and performing the same rites
during the fixed period of Hijj. There is on discrimination between them since all are Allah’s bondsmen. No white man
has preference over a black man, neither the rich over the poor. In this way, Muslims are acquainted one to the other, cooperate
one with the other, and they remember the day when they will be resurrected and gathered before Allah who will account them
for their deeds. Thus they prepare themselves for the Hereafter and do their best to obey Allah, their Lord.
The
Kaaba is the Qibla of all Muslims. They direct their faces towards it when they perform their prayers. It should be well-Known
that all the rites of pilgrimage, as circumambulating round the kaaba, attending Arafat, Muzdalafa, and staying for several
for several days in Mina have one objective that is to worship Allah according to the method He commanded during the time
He fixed. Worshipping is neither dedicated to the Kaaba nor to any of these other places which are no more than objects created
by Allah and that can never bring benefit or cause harm to any one. Worshipping is dedicated to Allah alone, the Lord of everything,
Who alone has the Absolute Sovereignty and Power.
According
to Muslim faith, all forms of worshipping are enjoined by Allah and should never be based on individual judgement or taste.
Therefore, hadn’t Allah commanded people to perform pilgrimage to the Sacred House at Makkah, Muslims would have never
performed it. Allah say in the Qur’an:
Performing
Umra (a lesser pilgrimage) once in lifetime is also a duty that a Muslim should fulfil either in Hajj time or in any other
time.
It
is not an indispensable duty for every Muslim to visit the Mosque of the prophet in Al-Madina in Hajj-time or in any other
time, but this is an advisable deed and who performs it will be recompensed by Allah.
The
Muslim leaving for Madina intends to visit the mosque of the prophet. When he arrives there, he prays in mosque and then visits
the tomb of the prophet (SAW). The visitor salutes the prophet politely and leaves the place adopting by that the same manner
that the companions of the prophet used to do. He should not ask the prophet or supplicate for any thing from him. In fact
those who supplicate the prophet (SAW) for help or ask him for what they need, are committing idolatry and the prophet is
innocent of their ill deeds.
After
visiting the prophet’s mosque the pilgrim visitor also visits the tombs of Baqeih. He should ruin his noble pilgrimage
.The prophet (saw) said: whatever flesh that comes grow out of illicit gains is rather doomed to Hell-fire. It also advisable
for the pilgrimage to select a man of good faith to accompany him on the pilgrimage- journey. The pilgrim, whether travelling
by car or train, assumes the Ih-ram as soon as he arrives at the miqqat (the station for Ihram), and the pilgrim by plane,
assumes Ihram when he approaches the miqqat. According to prophetic traditions, there are five mawaqit (five stations for
Ihram):
1.
Zul Hulaifa ( abyar ali): for pilgrims from madina.
2.
Al- Jahfa, place near, rabigh, for people coming from the direc-tions of Syria, egypt and maghrib.
3.
Qarn al- manazil, for peolep coming from najd, al-Taif and oth-er regions of that direction.
4.
Zat Irq, for people coming from Iraq.
5.
Yal, for people coming yemen.
These
mawaqit are not only people coming from the above- mentioned regions, but for those who travel by these ways.
As
for inhabitants of Makkah and those who live within the area bounded by these mawaqit, they assume their Ihram from their
homes?
2.3.2 Historical background of Islam
In the Arabic language,
the word Islam means “surrender” or “submission”—submission to the will of God. A follower
of Islam is called a Muslim, which in Arabic means “one who surrenders to God.” The Arabic name for God,
Allah, refers to the God worshiped by Jews and Christians. Islam’s central teaching is that there is only one
all-powerful, all-knowing God, and this God created the universe. This rigorous monotheism, as well as the Islamic teaching
that all Muslims are equal before God, provides the basis for a collective sense of loyalty to God that transcends class,
race, nationality, and even differences in religious practice. Thus, all Muslims belong to one community, the umma,
irrespective of their ethnic or national background.
Within two centuries after
its rise in the 7th century, Islam spread from its original home in Arabia into Syria, Egypt, North Africa, and Spain to the
west, and into Persia, India, and, by the end of the 10th century, beyond to the east. In the following centuries, Islam also
spread into Anatolia and the Balkans to the north, and sub-Saharan Africa to the south. The Muslim community comprises about
1 billion followers on all five continents, and Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world. The most populous Muslim
country is Indonesia, followed by Pakistan and Bangladesh. Beyond the Middle East, large numbers of Muslims live in India,
Nigeria, the former republics of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), and China.
One of the reasons for
the growth of the Muslim community has been its openness to new members. Children born to Muslim parents are automatically
considered Muslim. At any time, a non-Muslim can convert to Islam by declaring himself or herself to be a Muslim. A person’s
declaration of faith is sufficient evidence of conversion to Islam and need not be confirmed by others or by religious authorities
Around the year ad 570 Muhammad, the founding prophet of Islam, was born in Mecca, at the time
the central city of the Arabian Peninsula. Some 40 years later Muhammad started preaching a new religion, Islam, which constituted
a marked break from existing moral and social codes in Arabia. The new religion of Islam taught that there was one God, and
that Muhammad was the last in a series of prophets and messengers. Through his messengers God had sent various codes, or systems
of laws for living, culminating in the Qur’an (Koran), the holy book of Islam. These messengers were mortal men, and
they included among many others Moses, the Hebrew prophet and lawgiver, and Jesus, whom Christians believe to be the son of
God rather than a prophet.
|
During the early
7th century, a trader named Muhammad was meditating in a cave near Mecca in what is now Saudi Arabia, when he experienced
a vision of the archangel Gabriel who declared Muhammad to be a prophet of God. Other revelations followed, and Muhammad began
to preach to others, reciting in verse the instructions he had received from God. These revelations became the Koran, the
sacred scripture of Islam. In this passage from Muhammad’s teachings, he teaches his followers, called Muslims, to lead
a righteous life through their faith and works. |
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