Islam Essay

1114 words - 4 pages

Communicating Values and the Muslim Experience
“I am God, there is no god but Me, therefore you shall worship Me and observe the Salat to commemorate Me.” (Qur’an 20:14) Sincerity, purity of human feelings and fulfillment of rights and needs of every member is the basis of the Muslim community. To understand how Muslims communicate their values, ideal and beliefs to the community it is necessary to understand how Muslims communicate with each other and with Allah. The key to this communication may be in a visit to the Friday prayer service at the mosque. Upon immediate entry into the “women only” access of the Mosque Masjid Ghouse Azam in Humble, there was a bathroom facility where the women cleansed themselves before entering the main area of the mosque. As Muslims endeavor to achieve complete human maturity, not only food, but also all human dealings and communication must be purified to be “halal” or permissible under Islamic law. This cleansing ritual allows a Muslim woman to purify herself prior to offering prayers to Allah. After the purification process, several of the women dressed themselves in modest long sleeved dresses that reached the floor and covered their heads with the tudung or headscarf. According to Islam, this form of dress is to safeguard their modesty and decency, bliss and the moral ideals of the Muslim society. The covering of the aurah or the whole body except the face and hands enhances the spiritual purity for it is written in An-Nur 24:31, “a woman should guard her modesty and not display her beauty.” Once properly attired, the barefoot women start upstairs towards the room above the main floor of the mosque. Though not specifically outlined in the Qur’an, the men worship on the main floor of the mosque while the women, girls and small male children are relegated to an upper room above the room where the actual worship is occurring. The women greet each other with hugs and smiles, much like one would greet a close relative or family member. The call to prayer at 1:30 p.m. resounded through the entire building and the women began to pray, first standing then kneeling then bowing prostrate on the floor. Given by the Imam, “The Speech” (according to the women of mosque) included proclamations of praise and thanksgiving to Allah. The Imam also addressed the purpose of the Muslim life: “to worship and bless Allah.” In addition, the Imam spoke of the purpose of the Muslim life in the community using such words as peace, tranquility and integration. Finally, the Imam closed “The Speech” with a blessing upon the congregation of “peace be upon you.” A lengthy oration in Arabic followed “The Speech” then another call to prayer brought the women to their feet. Aligning in rows, they first stood as they prayed, then they knelt then bowing a certain intervals during the call. Following this lengthy time of prayer, the service concluded with a special but brief oration from Tabir-Ul-Addri, a Muslim scholar from...

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