Five Pillars of Islam

1. It affirms the Muslim belief that there is only one God.

2. Mentally: Provides time for them to live amongst their beliefs. Physically: it requires a person to bow in a defenseless position and pray towards the direction of Mecca.

3. It shows that Allah's will is for everyone to be treated equally by having the upper and middle classes give a portion of their wealth to the poor.

4. Mentally: Helps Muslims to live in obedience to the will of Allah through fasting. Physically: May not eat, drink nor smoke from sunrise to sunset.

5. It is a pillar of Islam because all Muslims do it to show unity. It is different from all

religions because it is mandatory.

6. Remembering to do everything that is required, and going through Ramadan.

99 names

Maurice Crowell

Period 3

April 28, 2013

99 Names

The name "The Compassionate" is more on the feminine side in regards to all of God's names. This applies to God because no matter how many times we sin, he still welcomes us. He loves us and he wants to see us follow him. It shows the soft spot in God's heart as he shows his never ending love for us. No matter how much we disobey, he welcomes in open arms. He is truly compassionate.

The name "The Masterful" is more of a masculine name for God. This applies to Him because he is the master of all. He rules everything and he has created everything. He is our master and we seek to worship him and to live in paradise with Him in heaven.

The name "The Most Kind" is more towards the feminine side. This applies directly to God because he is very kind to us. We do terrible things each day and he still is very kind to us. We as humans are very fortunate and God does a great job leading us through our lives. He always looks for the best, and applies it to our lives.

The name "All-Mighty" is more towards the masculine side. This applies to God because God has control over all things. There is nothing that can defeat Him, and He can also do anything that He pleases. There is no limits towards God.

All four names directly refer towards God because he rules over everything in the world. He is also the creator of everything. He loves his creations dearly and always seeks out the best for each and every individual. He is kind while also being a master, and is compassionate while also being All-Mighty. There are no limits towards God

Islam Webquest

Task 1
1. 2.1 billion
2. Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Gambia, Iran, Iraq
3. Morocco
4. 2,595,000

Task 2 Summarize each of the key beliefs below in a complete sentence.
1. Muslims believe in one God who alone is the Creator, All Knowing, and perfect. The word for God in Arabic is Allah.
2. Muslims believe in angels who are honored creatures devoted to God. They believe in the angel Gabriel who brought the Quran to Muhammad.
3. Muslims give religious authority to God's revealed books especially the Quran which God revealed to the angel Gabriel who revealed it to the prophet Muhammad.

4. Muslims believe in the prophets and messengers of God. It's starts with Adam and goes on to Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and even Jesus. Muslims believe Muhammad was God's last prophet.
5. Muslims believe in a day of judgement when everyone with be resurrected for God's judgement.
6. Muslims believe in Al-Qadar which is divine predestination. They believe in freewill given by God.

Put 3 of Muhammad's sayings in your own words:
1. Muhammad is saying to live your life to the fullest by making the most of each day, but also stay humble and remember your purpose as a good Muslim and your duty to God.
2. Muhammad is saying that everything can be made better or improved, and the way to make one's heart better is to be conscious of all our fellows and their struggles. Basically community is key.
3. Muhammad is saying that God is willing and accepting towards all who are willing and accepting towards Him

Task 3 1. The faith and practice of Muslim faith as well as all subjects concerning human beings, wisdom, doctrine, worship, transactions, law, etc but most important: the relationship between God and his creation
2. Arabic because any translation is not considered the Quran only a translation of the meaning.
3. Ramadan
4. He commanded Muhammad to read and then he taught Muhammad some verses from the Quran.

Task 4 1. Shahada (testimony of faith) must believe in the one true Allah, no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger 2. Salat (prayer) must pray 5 times a day facing Mecca, usualy in Arabic 3. Zakat (alms giving) must give to the poor D. Sawm ( fasting) must fast during Ramadan from dawn to dusk which includes no sexual relations E. Hajj (pilgrimage) must complete a pilgrimage to Mecca sometime in their lives if able to
They are the obligations that every Muslim must satisfy in order to live a good and responsible life.
They are a religious obligation and without them, life has no purpose.


Task 5
1. A month of fasting on the 9th month of the Muslim colander.

2. Cannot eat, drink, smoke, or have sex

3. Telling a lie, slander, denouncing someone behind his back, a false oath, and greed

4. When Muhammad revealed the Quran

5. A 3 day celebration with a feast and the exchange of gifts.

6. It is said to be the month when the Quran a sent from heaven. It's when Muslims concentrate on their faith. When God determines the course of the world for the year

7. The month has been blessed by God

Task 6 List five interesting facts you learned from the websites above.

1.Slaves were owned in all Islamic societies, both sedentary and nomadic, ranging from Arabia in the centre to North Africa in the west and to what is now Pakistan and Indonesia in the east.

2. Men are allowed to marry multiple Muslim women if they choose
3. The Arabic word 'Islam' simply means 'submission', and derives from a word meaning 'peace'.
4. During Ramadan many Muslims will try to eat a large meal called suhur just before dawn.
5. In Islam, marriages are not considered to be 'made in heaven' between 'soul-mates' destined for each other; they are not sacraments. They are social contracts which bring rights and obligations to both parties, and can only be successful when these are mutually respected and cherished.

Ancient Western Religions

1. It began in the fourth or fifth century due to the influence from the Persian Empire

2. It spread due to the Persian Empire being conquered by Alexander the Great.

3. An angel named Good Thought brought him before Ahura Mazda, and Zarathrusta recognized him as the one true god.

4. The most sacred part of the text is called Avesta.

5. Ahura Mazda is eternal and is the universal goodness.

6. The belief in forces are good and evil.

7. The lie is an evil cosmic force.

8. Humans must choose between the truth and the evil.

9. It discuses resurrection and judgment of the dead and if you go to heaven or hell.

10. Caring for Livestock and fields.

11. Followers of Zoroastrianism and most live in India.

12. Illiad and Odyssey.

13. gods have human attributes as in talents and limitations.

14. He introduced divine justice. An example is he shows suffering is part of the divine plan of Zeus.

15. Oracle is a sanctuary in which revelations of god are received.

16. Individuals went through an initiation ceremony, they encounter an experience with a deity, and gains spiritual renewal.

17. Eleusinian religion.

18. The god of fertility, with wine and grapes.

19. Lead a pure life.

20. We know things in are life because we have experience with them in past lives.

21. The truth of the world is independent from any bodily or material ideas in reality.

22. They both were refereed as saviors.

23. Supernatural beings in charge of specific functions.

24. Jupiter.

25. Mercury, Saturn, Venus, Jupiter, Neptune and Mars.

26. SO they would never anger gods, and they would be at peace.

27. Mithraism and the Cult of Iris

28. Osiris was killed and cut to pieces by his brother.

29. Augustus said to worship the Roman State and his guardian spirit.

30. Romans believed in worshipping the state, and Catholics believed it should be God.

Judaism

1. The three functions of the synagogue are to sever as a house of assembly, study and prayer.

2. The synagogue is a worship place for Jews. In a synagogue, there are three things. The ark, Ten Commandments, and torah scrolls. The ark is in the front of the room, the scrolls are in the ark, and the Ten Commandments are on the wall.

3. A rabbi preaches and teaches the whole Jewish community. To become a rabbi a person has to be Jewish, a scholar of Jewish law, fluent in Hebrew, and hired by other rabbi's to lead a congregation. A rabbi does not have the authority like a clergyman.

4. The day of rest

5. Torah is the five books of Moses. Talmud is the explanation of what the Torah means

6. Orthodox: Follow exactly what the Torah says. Reformist: Concentrates on moral law. Zionist: There should be a Jewish state in Palestine.

7.  The language by the early Jews.

8. The modern language of Jews

9. Mazal Tov: Congratulations Shalom: Hello, Peace, Goodbye Mitzvah: A commandment.

10. Brit Milah is a circumcision ceremony. Bar Mitzvah is a ceremony for a boy when he reaches 13 and he takes responsibility of commandments. Jewish marriage says a husband and wife a sanctified to one another.

11. Rosh Hashanah is the new year. Yom Kippur, the most important as they reflect on sins committed during the year. Hanukkah is like Christmas but they light candles signifying a Jewish story, Passover is a response to the exodus.

12. I knew about boys having a Bar Mitzvah.

13. I though Zionism had more to it than just getting a homeland.

14. They also have a new year.

15. The language

Buddhism Packet

1. Siddhartha Guatama
2. He saw an old man, he thought that is everybody's fate, a sick man, he didn't think people could enjoy life with sickness, a dead body, he thought what is the reason to live if we all die, and a homeless religious man, he thought that there is a way to salvation.
3. A Buddhist teaching that focuses on practical approach to spiritual attainment.
4. Siddhartha was sitting under a tree for 40 days waiting to be enlightened. The god of Mara tried to tempt him to stop, but it didn't work and he became enlightened.
5. A Buddhist community of Monks and Nuns
6. The Three Jewels in Buddhist teachings are the Buddha, Dharma, and the Sangha.
7. Both Buddhism and Hinduism regard time as cyclical and the universe as eternal. 
8. The Buddha did not go along with the religious teachings in his day. He did not believe the human self was important to receive salvation.
9. Anatta, Anicca, Dukka, Anatta means no self, Anicca means constantly changing, and Dukka means suffering.
10. There is no self because we are not attached to the world because we are always changing.
11. A bundle of energy, Karma is the factor of the incarnation of a persons status.
12. The five precepts of Buddhism are do not take life, take what is not given, engage in sensuous misconduct, use false speech, or drink intoxicants. The five precepts for monks and nuns are do not eat after noon, watch dancing or shows, use garlands, perfumes, or ornaments, use a high or soft bed, and accept gold or silver.
13. Dislocation, Frustration, Discomfort. The meaning of this is something that is not in order, and needs to be put back into place.
14. Tanha is the desire, it is related to Dukka because suffering is caused by our desires.
15. The steps in following the eightfold path, one must have the right views, the right intentions, the right speech, the right conduct, the right livelihood, the right effort, the right mindfulness, and the right meditation.
16. The Buddha received enlightenment on his own, and does not need teachings from others.
17. Arhat did not receive Nirvana but did receive enlightenment.
18. Nirvana: Blowing out, The person has blown out all of their desires and suffering.
19. Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana.
20. The teachings of Buddhism.
21. The way of the Elders.
22. It uses the energy of desire for good.
23. The Dalai Lama is the leader of Vijrayana Buddhism. The Dalai Lama is chosen by successors. 
24. Theravada Buddhism: Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burman.
Mahayana Buddhism: China, Japan, Korea
Vijrayana Buddhism: Tibet

Intro to Buddism

The creator of Buddhism is Siddhartha Guatama in Nepal. Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development leading to Insight into the true nature of reality. Guatama was sheltered in his life, so he didn't see any of the negatives in the world. One day when he went outside, he saw a old man, a sick man, and a dead man. So he left his palace to search for a meaning of the true reality. After sitting under a tree for 40 days thinking, he became enlightened, the traveled giving out his teachings as the Buddha.

The three jewels are at the heart of Buddhism. The are the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. The Buddha is the yellow jewel, Dharma is the blue, and Sangha is the red. The first jewel refers to obtaining enlightenment just like the Buddha. The second jewel is the teachings from Buddha. The third jewel is spirtual community.

In Buddhism there is also another teaching that is called the Threefold Way. They are the way of ethics, mediation, and wisdom. Ethics is how one should act, mediation is used to clear the mind, and wisdom gains the person enlightenment.
Next is the four Noble Truths. They are a the characteristics that humanity shares. The four truths are: To live is to suffer, Suffering is caused by desire, Suffering can be brought to cessation, The solution to suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path.

Then there is the Noble Eight Path. The Noble Eightfold path is the practice one must do in order to end suffering and reach a perfect Dharma. The path gets you to obtain:

1. Right Understanding or Perfect Vision, Right Resolve or Perfect Emotion, Right Speech or Perfect Speech, Right Action or Perfect Action, Right Livelihood or Perfect Livelihood, Right Effort or Perfect Effort, Right Mindfulness or Perfect Awareness, Right Meditation or Perfect Samadhi