Expressions of Religious Identity
1.The concept of Muslim
The Similarities and Difference between Sunni and Shia views about what it means to be a Muslim:
Sunni - The Six Articles of Faith in Sunni tradi- Shia - tradition of Islam rests on the five Usual-
tion of Islam Ad-Din meaning principles of faith
Tawhid - the oneness of God Tawhid - the oneness of God
Angels - Angels communicates the message of God Al-Nubuwwah - belief in the prophethood
to humans
Holy Books - belief about the books of Allah - the Al-Adi - belief in divine justice - rejection of predesti-
Quran - highest authority nation - objective framework of right and wrong
which Allah uses as a template in judgement
Prophets of God - Risallah = ongoing prophethood Al-Imamah - belief in imams
which ends with Muhammad
Akhirah - afterlife Al-ma’ad - belief in the day of resurrection
Al Qadr - predestination
2. The Pillars of Islam
Salah:
• Prayer 5 times a day:
1. Salat Ul Fajr - between dawn and sunrise
2. Salat Ul Zuhr - after midday
3. Salat Ul ‘Asr - between late afternoon and sunset
4. Salat ul Maghrib - between sunset and end of daylight
5. Salat Ul ‘Isha - night, until dawn
• “Prayer is the pillar of religion; to neglect it is to prepare the downfall of religion” Hadith
• Communication through prayer is an outward expression of submission - positions and repetitive-
ness - constant reminder of Allah
• Command to prayer is in the Quran but the details of prayer were given by Muhammad
• Pray towards Makkah - Mihrab in Qibla wall shows this
• Preferably done in a mosque but if not a clean space - except Jummah prayer on friday
• All part of submitting to and worshipping Allah - direct way of communicating with Allah
• Taqwa - consciousness of Allah is developed through prayer
• Niyyah very important - not a pain to do people want to do it
• The Adhan = call to prayer - done by a Muezzin - “Allah is the greatest” “There is no God but Al-
lah”
• Wudu = symbolic wash before prayer - washing of sins and respect for Allah - cleanse soul and
mind - helps mind to focus on Allah
• Rakahs - sequence of movements in ritual prayer - shows complete submission to Allah - pros-
tration, etc.
• Jummah prayer = friday prayer at the mosque - unites ummah, submission in putting life on hold,
devotion, community - important in non-muslim country
• Jummah - only two rakahs performed instead of 4 - allows for more dua prayer - taking advan-
tage of being close to Allah in mosque for personal prayer
• Prayer shows Islam is a lifestyle - engrained in daily life
• Priority of prayer over world matters - mind should constantly focus on God - can never forget
they have submitted to Allah because it is performed 5 times a day
Differences in Sunni and Shia practices:
1.The concept of Muslim
The Similarities and Difference between Sunni and Shia views about what it means to be a Muslim:
Sunni - The Six Articles of Faith in Sunni tradi- Shia - tradition of Islam rests on the five Usual-
tion of Islam Ad-Din meaning principles of faith
Tawhid - the oneness of God Tawhid - the oneness of God
Angels - Angels communicates the message of God Al-Nubuwwah - belief in the prophethood
to humans
Holy Books - belief about the books of Allah - the Al-Adi - belief in divine justice - rejection of predesti-
Quran - highest authority nation - objective framework of right and wrong
which Allah uses as a template in judgement
Prophets of God - Risallah = ongoing prophethood Al-Imamah - belief in imams
which ends with Muhammad
Akhirah - afterlife Al-ma’ad - belief in the day of resurrection
Al Qadr - predestination
2. The Pillars of Islam
Salah:
• Prayer 5 times a day:
1. Salat Ul Fajr - between dawn and sunrise
2. Salat Ul Zuhr - after midday
3. Salat Ul ‘Asr - between late afternoon and sunset
4. Salat ul Maghrib - between sunset and end of daylight
5. Salat Ul ‘Isha - night, until dawn
• “Prayer is the pillar of religion; to neglect it is to prepare the downfall of religion” Hadith
• Communication through prayer is an outward expression of submission - positions and repetitive-
ness - constant reminder of Allah
• Command to prayer is in the Quran but the details of prayer were given by Muhammad
• Pray towards Makkah - Mihrab in Qibla wall shows this
• Preferably done in a mosque but if not a clean space - except Jummah prayer on friday
• All part of submitting to and worshipping Allah - direct way of communicating with Allah
• Taqwa - consciousness of Allah is developed through prayer
• Niyyah very important - not a pain to do people want to do it
• The Adhan = call to prayer - done by a Muezzin - “Allah is the greatest” “There is no God but Al-
lah”
• Wudu = symbolic wash before prayer - washing of sins and respect for Allah - cleanse soul and
mind - helps mind to focus on Allah
• Rakahs - sequence of movements in ritual prayer - shows complete submission to Allah - pros-
tration, etc.
• Jummah prayer = friday prayer at the mosque - unites ummah, submission in putting life on hold,
devotion, community - important in non-muslim country
• Jummah - only two rakahs performed instead of 4 - allows for more dua prayer - taking advan-
tage of being close to Allah in mosque for personal prayer
• Prayer shows Islam is a lifestyle - engrained in daily life
• Priority of prayer over world matters - mind should constantly focus on God - can never forget
they have submitted to Allah because it is performed 5 times a day
Differences in Sunni and Shia practices:
