Islam often requires much of its followers, and Sawm is an aspect of the Islamic month of Ramadan that is rather intense. Ramadan is an entire month, and is dedicated to cleansing, purification, self-sacrifice, and reflection on one’s connection and relationship with Allah. Since the Islamic calendar is based upon the moon, the first New Moon marks the beginning of Ramadan.
Sawm, that aspect of Islam that is followed strictly during Ramadan, is a form of fasting. During Ramada, From the time the sun rises in the morning until the time it sets in the evening followers of Islam are required to go without eating, drinking, and to abstain from all forms of sexual activity. (Huda, 2014)
Sawm is one of the five pillars of Islam, and therefore expected of all Muslims. However, the very old or sick, pregnant women, small children, and soldiers are all generally excused, especially during those months in which the heat is oppressive. Again, since the Islamic calendar is Lunar the date range of Ramadan on the Gregorian calendar will have a different range of dates yearly. (Huda, 2014)
Sawm is performed in memory of Muhammad’s revelation of his place as a prophet of Allah, as he sat fasting in a cave on Mt. Hira. The night of his revelation is referred to as “the night of power”. For modern day Muslims the night of power is celebrated on or about the twenty seventh day of Ramadan, and is considered the most holy night of their calendar year. The performance of Sawm is meant to focus the practitioner upon their own bodies, minds, and actions, and to give them a means of focusing themselves to be pure in the presence of Allah. Ramadan comes from the word meaning “to burn”, and Sawm means “to refrain”; the combination of burning away s...
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...xperience the world around them differently, since they may become more empathic, more focused, and certainly more aware of themselves and their actions. By following a strict regimen, and repeating this ritual yearly, Muslims who practice Sawm attempt to recreate the purity of body and mind that their prophet Muhammed had attained on their most Holy night; and the physical benefits of the ritual are measureable, though other intangible benefits are also apparent.
Bibliography
1 - Huda. "All About Ramadan." About.com Islam. About.com, n.d. Web. 02 May 2014.
2 - Hakim, Dr. Abdul. “Significance of Ramadan”. Muslim Ummah of North America. New York, 2013. http://www.muslimummah.org/articles/articles.php?itemno=247&&category=Ramadan
3 - Masroor, Ajmal, ed. Ramadan Health Guide. London: Communities in Action, 2007. http://www.ramadan.co.uk/RamadhanHealth_Guide.pdf
The spiritual development of a community is a component absent in western formulations of modernity. For Deeb’s interlocutors the process of spiritual modernity is manifested in public piety and “authenticated Islam.” Deeb argues that women are essential participants in the construction of piety and “authenticated Islam” within the enchanted modern. Forms of public piety and social participation, including veiling, community service, and hosting Ashura majlis are necessary components in shaping this enchanted modern. Deeb further examines women’s roles in shifting away from a perceived religious backwardness towards a modern society throughout the second part of her book. Her discussion of the Ashura festival commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Husayn illustrates the shift from a traditional (taqlidi) form of religious worship to “authenticated Islam.” Deeb discusses how latam- self-flagellation- is considered backwards and according to pious Shi’i women the authenticated practice involves learning the lessons from Ashura and applying them to everyday life. The differences in traditional verses authenticated Islamic practices of Ashura reflect the increased participation and roles of women in the commemoration, and in the process of developing public piety and “authenticated
the deities and attempt to explain the psychological necessity of these rituals. An examination will be made of the typical forms of rituals, and cite their effects,
Through examining the core rituals of Hajj, one can explore the purpose of them: the reinforcement of the fundamental beliefs of Islam and the strengthening of the ultimate goal of Islam, the submission to Allah.
Islam is the baby of all religions, but that most definitely does not put a damper on the incredibly large impact that Islam has had on the world. The DBQ, or document based question, is an assignment where our class digs deeper into a certain subject by carefully inspecting and dissecting primary sources from the time in which the events occurred. Then we are given a question and we must present an answer and support this claim with evidence from the sources provided. The question I have chosen is as follows: Did Islam’s most lasting and important impacts come about through trade and peaceful interaction, or did they come mainly through war in conquest? I believe and will argue that although some impacts may have been influenced by war and
Rippin A. 1990, Muslims, Their Religious Beliefs and Practices Volume 1: The Formative Period, Routledge, London and New York.
By educating the masses and deepening the spiritual concerns of the Muslims, Sufism has played a critical part in the arrangement of the Muslim society. The Sufi movement consists of rituals and practices include writing and reciting poetry and hymns. For example, Sufis participate in an assortment of custom practices planned to offer them some assistance with realizing union with God, for example, particular types of custom supplication to God include the recitation of God 's names, and substantial ceremonies, for example, "Whirling Dervishes," a Turkish Sufi arrange that practices reflection and thought of God through turning. (Religion and Ethics
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Fasting is abstaining from food, drink, sleep or sex to focus on a period of spiritual
The winds of apostasy, atheism, and religious ignorance have wreaked havoc around the world. Many a people have left their religions due to religious ignorance, confusion, or even a sense of disgust toward their religious beliefs has caused people to live god-less lives. Many a people have wreaked havoc around the world due to their religious ignorance causing thousands of people to be hurt, ruining the peace and serenity in many countries, and atlas defaming the name of a religion.
Pinelli, N.R. & Jaber, L.A. (2011). Practices of Arab American patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus during Ramadan. Journal of Pharmacy Practice. 24(2), 211-215.
In The Heart of Islam, Nasr claims that in order to have peace, justice needs to be present. This justice comes from the struggle, both within and outward, to establish a balance in a world and in a soul where disorder is a constant presence. The struggle that is brought through an effort in order to attain justice is called jihad. Nasr also asserts that while it is a Muslim’s duty to seek peace and justice within through jihad, various forms of offensive attacks are to be avoided unless they are necessary and in order to defend oneself. Upon contemplation of the other texts and then reading Nasr’s claim, I do agree with his statements.
My worldview I will be discussing is Islam. Islam is a group of people called Muslims who have submitted themselves to a “ god “ named Allah. Islam was started by a man named named Muhammad which gave Islam its name. Islam was created on September 24 in the year AD 622 when 70 muhajirun people , who were the first people to start Islam, pledge their loyalty. People who are Muslims believe in the book the Quran.
Religious law is present all throughout a Muslim’s day, from sun up to sun down. Just...
Islam is the religion of peace. It is not a new religion revealed by the creator Allah Subhana Wa Tala through all His Prophet in every era and to every people Islam is not only a religion it is also a manual of life. Followers of Islam have to submit their wills to God and have to admit that God is one and He is Allah who runs the entire universe. The key of Islam is