Five Faiths Project
ISLAM
Further Research and Points for Discussion
- The Qur’an, the sacred text of Islam, is maintained in Arabic. It is understood that Arabic contains within it the teachings and precepts of Allah. Any translation will lose meaning. Ask students to consider what words are in common usage in America which would not easily translate into other languages. Can they think of words which have been wholesale transplanted into American speech from other languages? Why might a religion want to keep its original language?
- Locate Makkah (Mecca) on a world map. Using travel agents and other resources, ask students to plan a trip to Mecca. How would they get there? What could they expect that this trip might cost? What are the climate and the terrain of this part of the world? What would they have to pack for such a journey? Remind students that no one is encouraged to make the pilgrimage to Makkah unless their family’s needs are met.
- Ask students to consider the Muslim practice of Zakah. Make a list of all your possessions and your assets, including money in your savings account and in your pocket. Attach a fair monetary value to your possessions. Add all the figures to find your net worth. Determine what constitutes 2 ½ percent of your net worth. Put the findings on a piece of paper. Do not include your name. Gather all the amounts and determine how much your classroom would be able to give if you were to give this 2 ½ percent to the poor. Remind students that someone who has only enough to meet their own and their family needs is not required to give the 2 ½ percent. Ask students to consider how this practice, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, may be seen as a just way to distribute to the needs of the poor.
- The Muslim calendar is based on the cycles of the moon. Ask students to research the moon’s cycles and the Muslim calendar. Using the library and the Internet, as well as other resources, determine what month the class is currently in according to the Muslim calendar. And also, what year is it?
- Because Ramadan is a month long season, which requires day long fasting, based on the lunar calendar, how many hours of fasting would an American Muslim fast if Ramadan fell in the summer? In the winter? Even without knowing all of the religious reasons for fasting, ask students to consider what benefits they can imagine from regular fasting. Some students may wish to consider the difference between being “hungry” and “not being full.” How often do Americans eat just because they are bored or because it is time to eat? Students may wish to ask family members and friends if they have ever fasted. For what reasons? What was it like? Teachers may wish to caution students about the problems of fasting. The goal of Ramadan is not to injure anyone, by denying them food or water, but rather to increase devotion and awareness of the needs of others.
- The Muslim code of behavior is based on the belief that Allah is interested in all aspects of human life. Decisions made about how to spend one’s time, money and energy are all informed by the love of Allah. Ask students to consider how families and individuals determine how to spend their resources. In American society what codes of behavior are we expected to honor? Why?
- Muslim artisans were skilled in calligraphy and tile making. Many buildings in the Muslim world are highly decorated with mosaics. Students may wish to design a mosaic pattern which is consistent with Islamic traditions (see Strategies for Viewing Islamic Art) or with their own beliefs and traditions. Mosaic tiles are available in art supply stores. Students might also use colored paper cut into tiny squares to complete the project.
Contemporary Research Options
- There are more than a billion Muslims worldwide. What are the countries in which Islam is the dominant religion? Where is it growing? Islam is considered to be the fastest growing religion in the world today. How many Muslims live in America today? Are there Muslims in your community? Where is the nearest Mosque?
- Given that Islam offers followers a way of organizing their whole lives in devotion to Allah, what problems might a Muslim family face in contemporary American society. Remember that in some Muslim families, particular dress codes are a normal part of life. Students may also wish to consider the difficulties a Muslim student might face at noontime, when prayers are normally spoken. How would you feel if you wanted to stop for prayer during a school lunch? What might make that difficult for you? Would you do it anyway?
