Sunday, August 12, 2007

CALL TO PRAYER

CALL TO SILENCE AND OPENING MEDITATION


Today we will begin a two-week exploration of Islam with the help of the "Peace Village" kit compiled by the Episcopal Diocese. This week, we will explore general information about Islam. Next week, we will study more fully what it means to be Shi'a and Sunni, the role of women in Islamic society, Islamic dress, and the concept of "jihad".

READINGS:

Sura 1. al-Fatihah: The Opening

1. In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
2. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds,
3. The Beneficent, the Merciful.
4. Master of the Day of Judgment,
5. Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help.
6. Show us the straight path,
7. The path of those whom Thou hast favoured; Not the (path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those
who go astray.
(http://www.sacred-texts.com/isl/pick/001.htm)

About Islam, compiled from various sources as noted.

The religion of Islam is the acceptance of and obedience to the teachings of God which He revealed to H is last prophet, Muhammad. For the Muslim, there is only one, unique, incomparable God. He has no son or partner. God alone is the Almighty, the Creator, the Sovereign, and the Sustainer of everything in the whole universe. Nothing happens that is not His will; He is the All-wise and all knowing. If one wants something from God, he or she can ask God directly, with no need for anyone else to intercede. Islam rejects that God has any human characteristics or is incarnate in any human being. These ideas are blasphemous. Allah is the Arabic word which means God (the one and only true Tod). God is also referred to as Allah in Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke. Muslims believe in the existence of angels, who worship God, obey him, and act only by his command. Among the Angels is Gabriel, who brought the Qur'an to Muhammad. God revealed books to His messengers, among which is the Qu'ran. There have been many prophets and messengers of God, including Adam, Noah, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them), however, His last and final messenger was the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims also believe in the day of Judgment (the Day of Resurrection) as well as in Al-Qadar, which is Divine Predestination. Belief in Divine Predestination, however, does not mean that human beings do not have free will. Human beings are free to choose right or wrong and are responsible for their choices.

The Qur'an is the last revealed word of God and is the primary source of every Muslim's faith and practice. It addresses all subjects of concern to human beings: wisdom, doctrine, worship, transactions, and law, with the basic theme being the relationship between God and His creatures. The Qur'an provides guidelines and detailed teachings for a just society, proper human conduct, and an equitable economic system. The Qur'an was revealed to Muhammad in Arabic only, so any translation is not the Qur'an or a version of the Qur'an, but only a translation of the meaning of the Qur'an. 1

The Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca between 569 and 571. His father died before his birth and his mother shortly after. Muhammad was cared for by his grandfather, but on his death was raised by an uncle. Although illiterate for h is entire life, Muhammad gained a reputation for absolute integrity. 2 At the age of 40, the Angel Gabriel appeared to him with the first of the revelations which came to be known as the Qur'an. The revelations continued for 23 years. Muhammad began to recite the Qur'an and preach the truths taught to him by God, but he and his followers began to be persecuted. God commanded them to emigrate, and this emigration marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. Before his death at the age of 63, the majority of the Arabian Peninsula had become Muslim, and within a century, Islam had spread to Spain and China. 1 It is inappropriate to call Muslims "Mohammedan" as this creates a false analogy about the religion of Islam. Unlike Christians, who worship Christ, Muslims do not worship Mohammad.

If not for the spread of Islam, which instructs man to use his powers of intelligence and observation, many scientific developments would not have taken place. Muslim scientists were responsible for advances in medicine, mathematics, physics, astronomy, geography, architecture, art, literature, and history. Algebra, the Arabic numerals, the the concept of zero were brought to medieval Europe by Muslims. The astrolabe, the quadrant, and navigational maps were developed by Muslims.

Jesus (peace be upon him) is respected and revered by Muslims and is considered one of God's greatest messengers to mankind. The Qur'an confirms his virgin birth, and there is a chapter devoted to his mother, Mary. Jesus was born miraculously by the command of God, just as Adam was brought into being without a father or mother. He performed many miracles during his prophetic mission, but was not crucified. God placed the likeness of Jesus on another man, who was crucified in his place, while Jesus was raised up to Him. Muhammad and Jesus did not come to change the belief in one God, but to confirm and renew the messages of the earlier prophets. 1

The Five Pillars of Islam form the framework of a Muslim's life. These Five Pillars are the testimony of faith, prayer, giving support to the needy, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) for those who are able. The Testimony of Faith is "There is no true God but God (Allah) and Muhammad is the Messenger of God". Prayer is performed five times a day; at dawn, noon mid-afternoon, sunset, and night. Giving support to the needy (Zakat) encourages new growth and ones possessions are purified by setting aside a small portion for others. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is beneficial to physical health and is a method of spiritual self-purification. The Pilgrimage to Makkah is an obligation for those who are able and includes wearing special simple clothes, circling the Kaaba seven times, as well as asking God for forgiveness. 1

1 I.A. Ibrahim, A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam, Darussalam, Publishers and Distributors, Houston, TX. 1997.
2 R. Marston Speight, God is One: The Way of Islam, Friendship Press, Cincinnati, OH, 2001.

A Reading from the Gospel of Mary Magdalene

"Attachment to matter gives rise to passion against nature. Thus trouble arises in the whole body;

This is why I tell you 'Be in harmony. . .' If you are out of balance, take inspiration from manifestations of your true nature.

Those who have ears, let them hear."

After saying this, the Blessed One greeted them all, saying: "Peace be with you-may my Peace arise and be fulfilled within you!"

(Betty Adam, The Magdalene Mystique, Appendix B, Jean-Yves LeLoup translation, pp.134-145)


CALL TO CONVERSATION

CLOSING MEDITATION

Sura 35

1. Praise be to Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, Who appointeth the angels messengers having wings two, three and four. He multiplieth in creation what He will. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things.
2. That which Allah openeth unto mankind of mercy none can withhold it; and that which He withholdeth none can release thereafter. He is the Mighty, the Wise.
3. O mankind! Remember Allah's grace toward you! Is there any creator other than Allah who provideth for you from the sky and the earth? There is no God save Him. Whither then are ye turned?



We ask for your comments/thoughts to continue our Sunday conversation. Thank you.