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Where do Muslims worship? In this lesson, we will be learning about the mosque, the Muslim place of worship. We begin by recapping our previous learning regarding the Qur'an, before looking at the external and internal features of the Mosques.
The core belief of Islam is that there is no god worthy of worship but God; it is a simple concept in which worship is directed to God Alone. The Scriptures Muslims derive their understanding of the nature of God from the Quran and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad.
- Islam Facts
- Muhammad
- Hijra, Abu Bakr
- Caliphate System
- Sunnis and Shiites
- Other Types of Islam
- Quran
- Islamic Calendar, Symbols
- Five Pillars of Islam
- Sharia Law
The word “Islam” means “submission to the will of God.”Followers of Islam are called Muslims.Muslims are monotheistic and worship one, all-knowing God, who in Arabic is known as Allah.Followers of Islam aim to live a life of complete submission to Allah. They believe that nothing can happen without Allah’s permission, but humans have free will.The prophet Muhammad, sometimes spelled Mohammed or Mohammad, was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in A.D. 570. Muslims believe he was the final prophet sent by God to reveal their faith to mankind. According to Islamic texts and tradition, an angel named Gabriel visited Muhammad in 610 while he was meditating in a cave. The angel ordered Muhammad to r...
In 622, Muhammad traveled from Mecca to Medina with his supporters. This journey became known as the Hijra (also spelled Hegira or Hijrah), and marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar. Some seven years later, Muhammad and his many followers returned to Mecca and conquered the region. He continued to preach until his death in 632. After Muhammad...
When Umar was assassinated six years after being named caliph, Uthman, Muhammad’s son-in-law, took the role. Uthman was also killed, and Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, was selected as the next caliph. During the reign of the first four caliphs, Arab Muslims conquered large regions in the Middle East, including Syria, Palestine, Iranand Iraq...
When Muhammad died, there was debate over who should replace him as leader. This led to a schism in Islam, and two major sects emerged: the Sunnis and the Shiites. Sunnis make up nearly 90 percent of Muslims worldwide. They accept that the first four caliphs were the true successors to Muhammad. Shiite Muslims believe that only the caliph Ali and h...
Other, smaller Muslim denominations within the Sunni and Shiite groups exist. Some of these include: 1. Wahhabi: This Sunni sect, made up of members of the Tameem tribe in Saudi Arabia, was founded in the 18th century. Followers observe an extremely strict interpretation of Islam that was taught by Muhammad bin Abd al-Wahhab. 2. Alawite: This Shiit...
The Quran (sometimes spelled Qur’an or Koran) is considered the most important holy book among Muslims. It contains some basic information that is found in the Hebrew Bible as well as revelations that were given to Muhammad. The text is considered the sacred word of God and supercedes any previous writings. Most Muslims believe that Muhammad’s scri...
The Islamic calendar, also called the Hijra calendar, is a lunar calendar used in Islamic religious worship. The calendar began in the year A.D. 622, celebrating the journey of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina. The Islamic calendar indicates the proper days of Islamic holidays and celebrations, including the period of fasting and prayer known as Ramad...
Muslims follow five basic pillars that are essential to their faith. These include: 1. Shahada: to declare one’s faith in God and belief in Muhammad 2. Salat: to pray five times a day (at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening) 3. Zakat: to give to those in need 4. Sawm: to fast during Ramadan 5. Hajj: to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least onc...
Islam’s legal system is known as Sharia Law. This faith-based code of conduct directs Muslims on how they should live in nearly every aspect of their lives. Sharia law requires men and women to dress modestly. It also outlines marriage guidelines and other moral principles for Muslims. If crimes are committed, Sharia law is known for its harsh puni...
- Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Of course, Mecca tops the list. This most holy city was the birthplace of Muhammad, around A.D. 570, but it was sacred even before he came along.
- Medina, Saudi Arabia. As the burial place of Muhammad and the city where the Prophet and his followers fled from attacks in Mecca, Medina—about 200 miles north of Mecca—is the second holiest site in Islam.
- Great Mosque of Kairouan, Kairouan, Tunisia. The Great Mosque has stood at the heart of Arab-Muslim worship for more than a thousand years. A popular saying is that if you cannot go to Mecca, seven pilgrimages to Kairouan might save your soul.
- Harem al-Sharif, Jerusalem, Israel. Jews and Muslims both hold sacred the flat, elevated plaza atop Mount Moriah in the heart of Old Jerusalem. Consider the holiest site in Judaism, the Temple Mount is the the site of the demolished First and Second Temples that in biblical times served as a central place of worship for Israelites and Jews; only the Western Wall survives the Roman destruction of the Second Temple in 70 B.C.
Jun 24, 2017 · According to the Holy Qur’an, the first house of worship was founded by Prophet Adam as in the heart of the Arabian peninsula, which is known today as the Holy Ka’bah: Surely, the first House founded for mankind is that at Becca, abounding in blessings and a guidance for all peoples.1.
Jul 8, 2019 · The Kaaba, which means “cube” in Arabic, is a large black stone structure in the middle of the Grand Mosque, which is the most sacred place of worship in Islamic tradition. What is the Hajj and...
Kaaba, shrine located near the center of the Great Mosque in Mecca and considered by Muslims everywhere to be the most sacred spot on Earth. Muslims orient themselves toward this small shrine during the five daily prayers, bury their dead facing its meridian, and cherish the ambition of visiting it on pilgrimage.
