|
The prayers must be performed in the Arabic language (even if the person speaks nor understands Arabic; the prayers are to be recited by heart). Before commencing each prayer session a ceremonial cleansing with water (or if not available, with sand) is required. The prayers include praises to Allah, the creed, a plea for forgiveness and various blessings, Chapter one (al Fatihah) and one or more other parts of the Koran (by heart) and an optional prayer of one's own. The entire session includes standing upright, bowing down, kneeling and prostrating oneself. The session ends with looking right and left to greet the angels muslims believe to sit on both shoulders (the angel on the right who records the person's good deeds and the one on the left recording the person's bad deeds). Finally the muslim says: "Peace be unto you, and on you be peace". |
|
The prayers must be performed in the Arabic language (even if the person neither speaks nor understands Arabic; the prayers are to be recited by heart). Before commencing each prayer session a ceremonial cleansing with water (or if not available, with sand) is required. The prayers include praises to Allah, the creed, a plea for forgiveness and various blessings, Chapter one (al Fatihah) and one or more other parts of the Koran (by heart) and an optional prayer of one's own. The entire session includes standing upright, bowing down, kneeling and prostrating oneself. The session ends with looking right and left to greet the angels muslims believe to sit on both shoulders (the angel on the right who records the person's good deeds and the one on the left recording the person's bad deeds). Finally the muslim says: "Peace be unto you, and on you be peace". |
|
To observe the Siyam, Muslims fast during the daytime, and can eat during the night. Traditionally, the time of fasting begins from the moment a white thread can be distinguished from a black thread. The daily period of abstinence lastst until sunset. |
|
To observe the Siyam, Muslims fast during the daytime, and can eat during the night. Traditionally, the time of fasting begins from the moment a white thread can be distinguished from a black thread. The daily period of abstinence lasts until sunset. |
|
In addition to the restrictions already mentioned, during the Siyam, the believer is also prohibited from touching someone of the opposite sex, playing games of chance. THere is a dispute as to whether the Siyam prohibits the swallowing of the saliva. The night consequently is a time of pleasure and indulgence: then people can eat, drink, and do things forbidden during the day. The extension of these activities will ofcourse vary from person to person, and from family to family. It is not uncommon for more money to be spent on food and drink during Ramadhan than in any other month of the year. |
|
In addition to the restrictions already mentioned, during the Siyam, the believer is also prohibited from touching someone of the opposite sex, or playing games of chance. There is a dispute as to whether the Siyam prohibits the swallowing of the saliva. The night consequently is a time of pleasure and indulgence: then people can eat, drink, and do things forbidden during the day. The extension of these activities will of course vary from person to person, and from family to family. It is not uncommon for more money to be spent on food and drink during Ramadhan than in any other month of the year. |
|
In spite of the fact that the five pillars are obligatory and meant to be absolutely essential for every Muslim to keep, not all individual Muslims do, or are able to faithfully participate. This is due to a variety of reasons. For Muslims living in Western societies time and energy consuming duties such as Ramadan or the five daily prayers are practically difficult to observe. Secularized Muslims may have stopped participating in religious duties altogether, or have chosen to only participate in for instance the Ramadan fast. Such choices, however, are not only a matter of do's and don'ts, but also of belonging and not-belonging, since Muslim culture is a group culture. Participating in such religious duties therefore is not necessarily a criterion for the depth of each individual's religiosity. |
![[Home]](wikipedia.png)