Islamic Observances and Spiritual Practices

1. Islamic Observances and Spiritual Practices Rels 120 Religion, Spirituality & Health March 2014

2. Salat– Prayer (or Worship) Daily Prayer – everyone, usually individually; facing in the direction of the Kabah • Fajr- Morning, between dawn and sunrise • Zuhr- Mid-day or early afternoon • Asr - Late afternoon • Maghrib - Evening, around sunset • Isah - Night, before going to bed Hear the Muslim call to prayer 120 appleby

3. Requirements for Prayer • On a prayer mat; movements of bowing, sitting, prostration • may be performed in bed if someone is ill • Ritual purity – cleansed in running water • Remove pollution caused by sexual activity, bodily discharges, contact with animals • If running water is not available, do symbolic cleansing/ablutions actions 120 appleby

4. Process for Washing • Wash hands up to the wrist three times • Wash mouth three times • Wash nostrils, breathing in and out through the nose three times • Wash face three times • Wash arms up to elbows three times • Wipe head with wet hands, forehead to back, back to forehead • Clean the inside of the ears with the wet forefinger then the back of the ears with the thumb • Wash feet up to the ankles three times • Raise face to the sky, pointing up with the index finger If there is no clean running water, motions of cleansing the face and arms are still performed to symbolize purity - Called Tayammum - 120 appleby

5. Friday Prayer Weekly communal gathering • Often at noon; includes all adult male members of the community; women who attend often pray & worship in an area separated from the men • Includes a sermon delivered by the Imam (prayer leader) 120 appleby

6. Diet – Food sources are either lawful (permitted)or unlawful (not permitted) Halal- Permitted foods: • Meat and meat products killed in a ritual manner • Fish • Eggs • Vegetables Not Halal – Unlawful foods: • Pork – no product derived from pork • Meat and meat products from an animal not killed ritually • Alcohol Cooking utensils used must not have been used to prepare non-halal meals; if halal products are not available, kosher foods may be acceptable. Hands are washed before and after each meal. 120 appleby

7. Fasting • Ramadanis a 30-day period of fasting • No food or liquids are consumed during daylight hours; from new moon to new moon in the 9th month of the Muslim year • Observed in thanksgiving to God for the gift of the Qur’an; for the essentials & comforts of life • Reminds Muslims to remember the poor, hungry and thirsty, particularly in hot climates like Arabia • Reminds Muslims not to be greedy but to be charitable 120 appleby

8. The Month of Ramadan 120 appleby

9. Other observances in Ramadan • No smoking or sexual activity during the day • Fast begins at dawn and may be preceded by a small meal • Fasting ends at sunset and may be followed by feasting and family celebrations • Some Muslims recite the whole Qur’an during the month of Ramadan • Prayers & reflection on God continue throughout the month 120 appleby

10. Who is required to fast? • Adults and children who have reached puberty • Parents may read to children during Ramadan to teach them about their religious observances • Some include younger children in preparing the evening feast • Those who fast continue with their daily work and responsibilities • Nutritious meals and water are important during the night to prepare for the next day of fasting 120 appleby

11. Common teachings about fasting • Fasting detoxifies the body • Skin & eyes are beautified • The digestive system is strengthened; stomachs rest and return to a smaller size • Tastebuds are restored • Healthy eating habits are restored • Immune system is strengthened; inflammation is reduced; also lowers blood pressure • Stored body fats are reduced • Addictions to tobacco or caffeine can be broken Dates are regarded as a particularly healthy fruit for the body 120 appleby

12. Significance of Zakat • 3rd pillar of Islam • Means blessing, purification, increase, goodness and charity • Giving offers a blessing to the person who gives and protection against misfortunes • It is a duty but also an action performed by those who are virtuous 120 appleby

13. “Random acts of kindness” • Voluntary alms are called sadaqah • Recipients may include loved ones, relatives, widows and orphans, the homeless or needy, beggars or slaves • Alongside giving money, social acts of charity are praised • One’s spiritual life involves doing good deeds, avoiding deeds which are wrong, and performing acts of kindness and generosity 120 appleby

14. Acts of charity • Provide a gift, alms, or communal meal on behalf of a sick family member • Giving money to a needy family • Donating money for a funding drive Gather for a healing circle; pray for all community members who are sick; imagine healing in the person as names are read aloud Chanting the various names of God – as a mantra to focus all thoughts and spirits on God Child recites the names of Allah (video clip); http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekGjP2Q1lMQ 120 appleby

15. Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) is a global humanitarian relief and development organization responding to human suffering in emergency and disaster situations around the world. 2011 Relief Overview: • http://www.icnareliefcanada.ca/ourmedia.asp#page=vid-3 120 appleby

16. Kindness and Islam: Kindness Pays! A Story of Kindness Moral: When a flower blooms, its colour and scent first touch the garden near it, and then spread. In the same way, a Muslim's acts of human kindness should first touch those nearest to him, his family and his neighbours. http://www.islamicthinking.info/post/23269337307/kindness-surely-pays-back 120 appleby

17. Care for the Elderly In the Islamic world there are no old people's homes • It is considered an honor and blessing to care for one’s parents when they become frail and vulnerable, and an opportunity for great spiritual growth • Adult children are expected to demonstrate limitless compassion, remembering their own childhood care • Mothers are particularly honored for their merciful and selfless devotion: the Prophet taught that ‘Paradise lies at the feet of mothers’ In Islam, serving one's parents is a duty second only to prayer • Parents have a right to expect care in their old age • It is considered despicable to express any irritation with one’s parents 120 appleby

18. Kindness to Parents “Islam is a religion of justice and compassion…Special status has been afforded to the elderly; they are treated with respect and dignity. Muslims are urged to honour them and this is especially true when it comes to the treatment of parents. Although death may take us at any age, parents are often elderly and as such require special care and attention. Even though the rigours of old age may cause parents to be demanding, impatient or petulant, a Muslim is still obligated to treat them with kindness and to look after them lovingly.” “Respect for parents is a key to the gates of Paradise.  By upholding the commands of God and giving parents the affection and love due to them, we receive the reward of eternal bliss.” http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/1662/ 120 appleby

19. Sayings of the Prophet “To gladden the heart of the weary, to remove the suffering of the afflicted, has its own reward. On the day of our judgment, the memory of the action comes like a rush of the torrent, and takes our burden away.” “He who helps his fellow-creature in the hour of need, and he who helps the oppressed, him will Allah help in his hour of greatest challenge.” “What actions are most excellent? To gladden the heart of a human being, to feed the hungry, to help the afflicted, to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful, and to remove the wrongs of the injured.” “Who is the most favored of Allah? He from whom the greatest good comes to His creatures.” “Kindness is a mark of faith: and whoever has not kindness has not faith.” http://one-islam.org/sahih_muhammad/sahih_Kindness.htm 120 appleby

20. http://www.smallkindness.org/ 120 appleby

21. SMALL KINDNESS – Helping orphans is at the heart of what we do • A UK registered charity • Helps orphans, widows, the elderly, needy families and the disabled in countries all over the world • Includes Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Indonesia, Serbia, and Montenegro • Also provides financial support, food, clothing, medicine, homebuilding, education • Publishes a children's magazine http://www.smallkindness.org/ 120 appleby

22. Spiritual Practice of Kindness • Kindness is a spiritual practice consistent with Islam’s emphasis on doing good, avoiding evil and charitable giving • Reflect on the potential of kindness as a spiritual practice for your portfolio 120 appleby