The basic ideas of Islam and Christianity should be known to every educated person. Unfortunately, in our time, religious wars sometimes break out. Many of the people who participated in them for centuries did not quite imagine what they were fighting for. Religion was often used for political purposes. Fortunately, today, thanks to the development of technology, many people have the opportunity to comprehend everything that was previously accepted without explanation, passed down from generation to generation. Nowadays, the main ideas of Islam are studied in schools. Grade 6 of the school is a time when many residents of our country first get to know him. However, do we know enough about this religion? We suggest you get to know her better. Today we will talk about its occurrence, distribution, main features and symbolism.
Of all world religions, it is Islam that is the youngest. According to the World Islamic League, its supporters are more than 900 million people (data for the beginning of the 21st century). Muslims are residents of more than 120 countries of the world, while in 35 countries they make up about 95-99% of the population, and in 13 - an influential minority. Islam is the state religion in 28 countries (Mauritania, Pakistan, Iran, etc.).
The emergence and main ideas of Islam
The emergence of this religion dates back to the 7th century AD. e. It was then that the basic ideas of Islam appeared. Islam arose on the Arabian Peninsula, in its southwestern part. This happened during the collapse of the tribal system and the formation of a centralized state. Muhammad (years of life - 570-632) is one of the founders of the religion of interest to us. In 610, he announced that he was the messenger of the one God.
Translated from the Arabic language, the word "Islam" means "humility." Those who practice this religion are called "devotees." In Arabic, a “devotee” is “Muslim,” therefore, the second name of Islam is Islam. Europeans also call this religion Mohammedanism (Mohammed is the changed name of Muhammad).
Islam, originating in Arabia, spread to the neighboring states of the Middle East, North Africa, Egypt, Indonesia, India, Asia Minor and Central Asia, Europe, and Transcaucasia. Today, this religion is the most common in the world after Christianity. As in all other creeds, there are several currents in Islam. The most common of them are Shiite and Sunni. They differ from each other in certain rites and dogmas.
The Qur'an is the holy book of Muslims, which presents the basic ideas of Islam. Translated from Arabic, the word "Quran" means "reading." This book outlines the basic definitions of Islam. It was written in the 7th century, but a long time later, changes and additions were made to it. The second source of faith (after the Qur'an) for the Sunnis is the Sunnah (translated from Arabic as “example”, “behavior”). In the Sunnah and the Qur'an, as well as in other religious dogmas and legends about Allah, the basic ideas of Islam, various moral teachings are presented, the principles of attitude to property, to a woman, relationships with other nations, etc. are described. Sharia is a feudal right of Muslims, in which the essence of Islam is clearly expressed. The basis of Sharia is the position of the Sunnah and the Koran.
We will now discuss in more detail what are the main ideas of Islam.
Faith in God, Scripture
First of all, it is faith in Allah, the only god, as well as his messengers - Ali and Muhammad. Allah is supplemented by angels, prophets, demons. They are also revered by Muslims as gods. The next feature of the religion that interests us is the veneration of the Qur'an. The scripture speaks of how this world was created, about the final judgment, myths, spells, tales of the prophets, ancient Arabic folklore, instructions regulating family and social relations are presented. This book was created over a hundred years and was finally completed in the 8th century.
Describing the main ideas of Islam briefly, we note that another feature of it is the worship of the Sunnah - another scripture that presents a set of stories about the actions of Muhammad, his autobiography, statements on various topics. The Sunna is the basis of Muslim jurisprudence (fiqh), as well as the body of Muslims (Sharia).
Namaz
For adherents of Islam, namaz is very important. This is a daily prayer, which is performed 5 times a day: in the morning, at lunch, at 15 o’clock, at sunset and just before nightfall. Today in Islam there are two- and one-time prayers. Before them, ritual ablution is carried out (either with water or sand).
Comprehension
Uraz is a special post, the observance of which is important for every Muslim. During the month of Ramadan (ninth on the lunar calendar), a devotee of this religion does not eat or drink from dawn until dark. However, he can do this at night, until dawn. Today, this requirement is somewhat simplified. Modern clergy do not require such a restriction in nutrition from people working in agriculture, in production, from pregnant women, as well as from some other categories of Muslims.
Hajj
Many of us are familiar with the basic ideas of Islam. Briefly tell about such a well-known component as the Hajj. This is the name of going to Mecca for prayers. Hajj is carried out in order to join the saints, repent of sins.
Jihad
Islam, whose main ideas are often used by those in power for their own purposes, is known for being a warlike religion. Ghazavat, or jihad - this is the name of the holy war waged by his adherents against the infidels. For a long time, this element of faith has instilled enmity and hatred among supporters of different religions. Nowadays, this dogma is silent, not put forward, but the clergy sometimes turns to him, which depends on the political situation.
Ramadan
A large role in Islam is also played by religious rituals, which are quite complex. As we have already said, Muslims perform prayers 5 times a day, and also observe fasts, religious holidays, customs, various rites, and make pilgrimages. The 30-day fast during Ramadan is one of the ritual customs that existed before Islam in ancient Arabia. Probably at that time, people fasted on a hot summer month. Most likely, this is where the name of the month “Ramadan” comes from, which sounds in Arabic as “Ramadan”. This word, in turn, comes from the Arabic "ramadhar", which means "exhausting time", "heat".
In Arabia, summer, especially its end, is the most difficult period for the economy. At that time, the stocks of food were running out, and the sun was mercilessly burning, burning out pasture, which caused cattle to starve. Because of this, the ancient Arabs were forced to limit themselves in food, as well as transfer the bulk of household affairs to evening and night, when it was not so hot. Then people who believed in gods and spirits prayed for the sending of rain. They did not sleep the first part of the night, spending it in prayers to the spirits and gods. People believed that it would bring them the long-awaited rain. In addition, the ancient Arabs for the same purpose declared a ban on drinking and eating during the day. Thus, the requirement to fast during Ramadan basically repeats the customs that existed before Islam, which determined mainly the characteristics of the economic life of people.
Post end
The month that follows Ramadan is called chavall. On his first day, the end of the fast is celebrated. This holiday is called Uraza Bairam. It lasts 3 days, during which the believer must account for how he observed the fast. In the event of a violation, a Muslim is punished. He must pay the so-called fitr-sadaka.
Eid al-Adha
70 days after the Uraza Bayram, another holiday is celebrated - sacrifice. It is called Kurban Bayram. The main ritual action of this holiday is a bloody sacrifice (usually a camel or a ram). At the same time, a hajj is performed in Arabia (Mecca). Muslims slaughtered their best cattle for this holiday. According to Sharia, a goat and a sheep can be slaughtered for the “sins” of one person, a bull and a cow for seven, and a camel for ten. Sacrifices are needed in order to go to heaven after death. This can only be done through the Sirat Bridge, which is thrown over hell. It is sharper than a saber blade, thinner than a hair, hotter than a fire. At the entrance to this bridge are rams, cows, camels, slaughtered by believers during the Eid al-Adha festival. These animals can be crossed through Sirat. A person who has not made a sacrifice will not be able to stay on the bridge himself. He will fall to hell.
Miraj
In the month of Rejeb, the festival of the Ascension of the Miraj is celebrated (“Prophet’s trip to heaven”). Rejeb Bayram (his second name) has existed since the early Middle Ages. After the power of the caliphs was consolidated in Palestine, the cult of Jerusalem and its holy places appeared in Islam. According to legend, on the 27th night of Rejeb Muhammad was raised from his bed by the angel Jabrail. Together with him on a fantastic creature, Burak, he walked to Jerusalem, and then to 7 heavens, and also appeared before Allah. He allegedly spoke with God, saying 99 thousand words to him. All these amazing events took place so quickly that Muhammad, returning to the ground, found his bed still warm. From the ladle, which he capsized, did not have time to leak water!
Muslim theologians, seeking to "generalize" this amazing legend, arbitrarily interpreted the verse of the Koran, which says about the trip of Muhammad to a remote mosque located in Jerusalem. Some time later, in the wall of one temple, the ring was allegedly “found” to which the prophet tied Buraka during this night's journey. It should be noted that the legends of the mirage are in many respects similar to the traditions of other creeds, which also describe unusual “travels” of the prophets or the ascension of saints and gods.
Prophet's birthday
Muslims celebrate the "birthday of the prophet" (Mawlud) in a month called rabi al-avval. Maulud, like miraj, is set arbitrarily and much later than the events that underlie it. It is known that the legends of Muhammad, presented in Islam, have incorporated many of the translations of the legends of other religions. For example, early theologians describe in detail the events of that Monday when Muhammad was born, as well as the miracles associated with this event. However, they are either silent about when exactly this Monday was, or they are arguing about this with each other. Subsequently, Muslims began to believe that this significant event occurred on the 12th of the month of Rabbi (Rabi al-Aval).
Ritual circumcision
In Islam, as you know, there is a ritual circumcision (in Arabic - "Sunnet"). This tradition was also borrowed, it is found in the cults of ancient Arabia. This rite appeared in primitive society. He was one of the festive rituals that marked the transition of a young man to the category of adult male genders. Similar painful ceremonies (except for circumcision were knocking out teeth, as well as other bodily injuries) - a kind of test of courage. They existed not only among the ancient Arabs, but also among Australians, Africans and other peoples in primitive society. As in Judaism, in Islam the rite of circumcision began to be interpreted somewhat differently. This is an internal sign of belonging to the Islamic religion. Circumcision is a kind of isolation of Muslims from representatives of other beliefs. This rite is intended to inspire believers with the idea of ​​their exclusivity.
Shahsei Wahsey
So, we briefly described the main ideas of the religion of Islam. We invite you to get acquainted with one of the customs that Shiites adhere to. These Muslims have mourning religious ceremonies called shahsi-wahsei (ashura). They are held on the 10th day of the month of Muharram. This holiday, according to Islamic tradition, was established in honor of the Shiite Imam Hussein, who was the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and died martyrly in the 7th century. However, historical facts suggest that his death was not martyred. She did not redeem the right and freedom of people, as taught by the preachers of the Muslim religion. Hussein died in a power struggle. From this could not win "freedom and law." On the contrary, immediately after his death, the people whom Hussein's supporters provoked into the uprising were persecuted.
But the authorities could not destroy all the Shiites - followers of Hussein. Acting secretly, these people continued to seek power. To do this, they began to spread faith in the sanctity of Hussein, held mourning ceremonies on the anniversary of his murder. Shiites have put forward a slogan that says: "Revenge for Hussein." The story of his death is accompanied by the exclamation "Shah Hussein, Wah Hussein", which means "King Hussein, ah Hussein!"
In the 8th century, the bulk of the adherents of the imam moved to Qom. Shiites began to spread their teachings in Iran. By the 16th century, when Shiism became the state religion in this country, the Hussein cult finally developed, as did the basic ideas of Islamic culture in this country. The day of the death of the imam is declared mourning, which is accompanied by religious rites. Nowadays, shahsey-vakhsey is a holiday that believers celebrate when they gather in mosques.
So, we briefly described the main religious ideas of Islam. We invite you to get acquainted with Muslim symbols.
Islamic symbolism
Strictly speaking, it does not exist, since this religion is very concise in the use of symbols. In Islam, there is a ban on images of animated creatures. However, it does not apply to nature, objects, works of architecture, etc. Mohammed urged to beware of images (of a man or god) and not to draw anything but inanimate objects, flowers, trees. They are the basis of Muslim ornaments.
The crescent, despite its popularity, is not a symbol of Islam in the strict sense of the word. It does not reflect the main ideas of Islam. Unfortunately, history has not preserved much information about the meaning of this symbol. It began to be used in the construction of mosques about a thousand years ago. There is no evidence that he is associated with religion. One of the possible reasons for his appearance on the minarets is that Muslims are committed to the lunar calendar.
These, in short, are the basic ideas and symbols of Islam. As you can see, this religion has incorporated many ancient customs. Unfortunately, we have to admit the fact that to this day the basic ideas of the creed of Islam are sometimes not used for peaceful purposes at all.