What is Islam? Islam is a religion that is practiced all over the world. In 2001, about 6 to 8 million people living in the United States indicated following or practicing Islamic beliefs (Ali, Liu, & Humedian, 2004). Followers of the Islamic belief have been growing in tremendous numbers since then. However, regardless of the number of followers of Islam, individuals who follow its beliefs are seen as suspicious or dangerous after the World Trade Center attack in 2001. Acts of racism, discrimination, hatred, and violence have been forwarded to followers of the Islamic belief since then. Individuals who follow or practice Islam are known as Muslims. Muslims believe in a religion where one submits to the will of Allah, also known God of all
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Due to the terrorist attack of 911, Muslims were treated and broadcasted in the media as dangerous and extreme individuals. This cause a very controversial view of Muslims around the world that led to verbal abuse, violent attacks, job terminations, denial of employment, unequal treatment, and many other disturbing concerns (Ali, Liu, & Humedian, 2004). However, what many individuals failed to realize what a rich religion filled of culture and tradition Muslim followed. Muslims follow a religion with huge amount of history and tradition. Muslim believe and follow the Qur”an (or Koran), which is their holy book (Ali, Liu, & Humedian, 2004). Ali, Liu, and Humedian explained that the Qur”an was brought to Muhammed by the holy angel Gabriel (2004). According to the history of Islam, Muhammed was a business man who believe that there was no proper care provided to society (man and woman) by its leaders. During his mediations annually in a cave he would pray, fast, and give money to those who needed it. During his meditations for finding ways to bring back the Arabian society to a system that promoted equality …show more content…
However, it is practiced differently among many of its followers depending in the country they live in. According to Ali, Liu, and Humedian, five basic principles that are universally acknowledged by Muslim individuals are the iman, salat, Zakat, sawm, and Hajj (2004). According to their study iman is the belief that there is only one God (Allah) and that Muhammed was his last and final prophet. Salat is a prayer that is arranged for five times a day. Ali, Liu, and Hamedian (2004) explained that these prayers are based on Arabic recitations and prostrations that are completed while facing east towards the Kaaba (Muslim holy shrine in Mecca). It is also an individual’s choice to do his or her prayer independently or a place where the Muslim community worships in. The third principle Zakat means that Muslims give money to correct the social inequalities of society. They usually donate this money to help other individuals and the amount given depends in the country they live in. Sawm is usually known worldwide as fasting. Sawm is when Muslims who are financially and physically able complete the month of Ramadan in which they refrain from drinking any liquids, eating, and sexual activity from sunrise to sunset. It is explained that Ramadan is the 9th month of the lunar cycle which last for about 30 days. The time for Ramadan tends to change because Muslims follow the lunar calendar, and the timing of Ramadan falls at different
Due to the terrorist attack of 911, Muslims were treated and broadcasted in the media as dangerous and extreme individuals. This cause a very controversial view of Muslims around the world that led to verbal abuse, violent attacks, job terminations, denial of employment, unequal treatment, and many other disturbing concerns (Ali, Liu, & Humedian, 2004). However, what many individuals failed to realize what a rich religion filled of culture and tradition Muslim followed. Muslims follow a religion with huge amount of history and tradition. Muslim believe and follow the Qur”an (or Koran), which is their holy book (Ali, Liu, & Humedian, 2004). Ali, Liu, and Humedian explained that the Qur”an was brought to Muhammed by the holy angel Gabriel (2004). According to the history of Islam, Muhammed was a business man who believe that there was no proper care provided to society (man and woman) by its leaders. During his mediations annually in a cave he would pray, fast, and give money to those who needed it. During his meditations for finding ways to bring back the Arabian society to a system that promoted equality …show more content…
However, it is practiced differently among many of its followers depending in the country they live in. According to Ali, Liu, and Humedian, five basic principles that are universally acknowledged by Muslim individuals are the iman, salat, Zakat, sawm, and Hajj (2004). According to their study iman is the belief that there is only one God (Allah) and that Muhammed was his last and final prophet. Salat is a prayer that is arranged for five times a day. Ali, Liu, and Hamedian (2004) explained that these prayers are based on Arabic recitations and prostrations that are completed while facing east towards the Kaaba (Muslim holy shrine in Mecca). It is also an individual’s choice to do his or her prayer independently or a place where the Muslim community worships in. The third principle Zakat means that Muslims give money to correct the social inequalities of society. They usually donate this money to help other individuals and the amount given depends in the country they live in. Sawm is usually known worldwide as fasting. Sawm is when Muslims who are financially and physically able complete the month of Ramadan in which they refrain from drinking any liquids, eating, and sexual activity from sunrise to sunset. It is explained that Ramadan is the 9th month of the lunar cycle which last for about 30 days. The time for Ramadan tends to change because Muslims follow the lunar calendar, and the timing of Ramadan falls at different