Meitri Patel

Research Paper-Islam
Professor Salie
November 30, 2014

Islamic Culture

We all have a culture that we follow because it has been passed down to us

through our ancestry roots whether it’s certain rituals or beliefs we pursue. One of the

most interesting religions, and the second largest of the world 's religions would be Islam.

According to the Oxford Islamic Studies Muslim countries extend from North Africa to

Southeast Asia, but the one billion members of the Islamic community stretch across the

globe. Muslims constitute a majority in more than forty-eight countries and a significant

minority in many others. Though the Arab world is often regarded as the heartland of

Islam, the majority of Muslims are in fact to be found in Asia and Africa, homes to the

largest Muslim communities: Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Central Asia, and

Nigeria. Islam has grown significantly in recent years in the West, where it is now the

second largest religion in many parts of Europe and the third in the United States. With

that being said their religious practices and beliefs have become known to other culture.

But the problem is that, others may know or heard about it but they have no idea on why

they believe in certain beliefs. The main beliefs would include: prayer customs at home,

during travel, and in the Mosque, prayer protocol and pets, dietary restrictions,

celebrations, wearing the hijab, politeness and respect for elders and emergency

treatment. Other beliefs include: shaking hands, social distance, eye contact, touching of
 Meitri Patel
Research Paper-Islam
Professor Salie
November 30, 2014

feet, removing shoes when entering the home, Namaste greeting and the passing of an

item to someone with the left hand.

As stated from the Sharon Pluralism Network, Muslims are required to pray five

times a day. In order to strengthen their social bonds men are encouraged to pray in

mosque instead of at home, while women are lucky to have a special concession if they

want to pray at home because of their family responsibilities. Depending on lifestyle and

work schedules, many Muslims pray at home, in the workplace, or during travel in the

car, the train or an airplane whenever the time for either one of the five daily prayers

approaches. It is not uncommon for Muslims to keep a prayer mat in their cars and

simply stop anywhere at the time of prayer and spread it out on the ground, offering their

prayers toward the direction of Ka’aba, which is the center and starting point of Islam, in

Mecca. While reciting the prayer, full meditative concentration is required. Talking or

paying attention to surroundings is not permissible, except in emergencies. Old people or

those of ill health may recite prayer while sitting or lying in bed. Friday is a special day

of prayer when most Muslims prefer to go to the mosque. Inside the mosques, since

Muslims pray on rugs and prostrate before God, it is considered disrespectful to step on

prayer mats with shoes. In Western cultures where non-Muslim guests are invited for

interfaith gatherings, a complete wall-to-wall rug is spread over the prayer mats so that

guests do not have to take their shoes off. In the homes, prayer mats may be spread in
 Meitri Patel
Research Paper-Islam
Professor Salie
November 30, 2014

any room. According to an article called “How do Muslims Pray?” worshippers begin by

raising their hands and stating God's greatness (“Allahu Akbar”—God is most great).

Then, folding their hands over stomach or chest or leaving them at their sides, they stand

upright and recite what has been described as the essential message of the Quran, the

opening discourse:

Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds; the Beneficent, the Merciful;

Maste of the Day of Judgment. You alone do we worship and from
you alone do we seek aid. Show us the Straight Way, the way of
those upon whom You have bestowed Your grace, not of those who
have earned Your wrath or who go astray. (Quran 1:2–6)

After reciting another verse from the Quran usually a self selected one, Muslims

bow and proclaim, “Glory to God in the Highest,” three times. Returning to an upright

position, they say, “God hears the one who praises Him” and “Our Lord, all praise

belongs to you!” The next phase of worship involves what is commonly called

“prostration” in English, although it does not involve lying down at full length. The

position Muslims take represents an expression of ultimate submission. Before beginning

the act of prostration, Muslims first repeat, “Allahu Akbar” (God is most great). Then

they fall to their knees, placing hands flat on the ground and bringing their foreheads

down between their hands to touch the ground. While in this bowing position, Muslims

recite three times, “Glory to the Lord Most High!”

 Meitri Patel
Research Paper-Islam
Professor Salie
November 30, 2014

After this, they stand up and repeat the entire cycle of prayer. Prayer includes

sitting on the heels and reciting a formula known as “the witnessing” because it contains

the declaration of Muslim faith. The witnessing is followed by asking God's blessings for

the first and last of God's Prophets, Abraham and Muhammad. Finally, the prayer is

ended with an invocation of peace (salam). Worshippers turn their heads right and left

and say, “May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.” Although this

invocation is addressed to fellow believers on the right and left, some Muslims also

believe they are addressing their guardian angels, who remain over their shoulders as

they pray. After completing the obligatory prayers, Muslims can privately petition (dua)

God regarding their individual needs.

Cleanliness is also very important to Muslim as discussed in the Quran as well.

Muslims believe that cleaning out the body not only cleans the body of impurity but is

also intended in clearing the mind from impure thoughts. Muslims stay away from pets

because of their saliva, which they consider unclean. So instead of washing up all the

time they tend to stay away from keeping pets in the house and avoid contact with them

all together. Based on the Sharon Pluralism Network it states “…with our western

cultures today where we consider our pets apart of the family, their avoidance to them

may be mistaken for dislike or even cause offence where it’s not intended”.

The Oxford Islamic Studies has a article on dietary for Muslims stating their rules
 Meitri Patel
Research Paper-Islam
Professor Salie
November 30, 2014

for food and drinks which is stated in their Quran using specific words such as pure

(tahir), impure (rijs,najis), lawful (halal), and unlawful (haram). These terms are used to

remind Muslims to eat healthy to keep their bodies purified and for a healthy soul. Meat

is acceptable when it is slaughtered properly and is then considered halal. Eating pork is

completely against their religions because of how dirty and filthy they are and would

make their bodies impure.

According to the Sharon Pluralism Network the Islamic calendar is based on the

lunar cycle, which is 11 days shorter than the Solar calendar. Hence, Islamic holidays

shift each year. Muslims believe the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad in the

month of Ramadan, which is the ninth month of Islamic calendar. During fasting,

Muslims do not eat or drink after sunrise and before sunset. They are encouraged to

practice reflection and charity during this month, and continue throughout the year. Eid-

ul-Fitr marks the end of fasting. The greeting of “Eid Mubarak” is used to wish Muslims

well on this day. Eid al-Adha begins on the 10th day of Dhu’l-Hijja, the 12th month of

the Islamic calendar. Lasting for three days, it occurs at the conclusion of the annual Haj,

or pilgrimage to Mecca. Eid-ul-Adha is an occasion to commemorate Abraham’s

obedience to Allah. The Islamic New Year begins with the month of Muharram, 20 days

after Haj. Unlike most Western holidays, the welcoming of the New Year is a quiet event

marked with prayer.

 Meitri Patel
Research Paper-Islam
Professor Salie
November 30, 2014

Islam encourages Muslims to dress modestly. Muslim women from diverse

backgrounds observe modesty in their own way and that explains the variation in their

dress codes across cultures. Wearing the Hijab, which is the scarves Muslim women wear

around their head, is a mark of devotion and commitment to Faith. In some countries,

wearing the Hijab is obligatory, but in others (as in the United States) it is considered a

personal choice. From an article on Hijab it states that long before, a women with a hijab

was considered respectful and of a higher status. It is not a symbol of repression and

separation.

Muslims are very particular about showing respect for elders. Many gestures that

might seem okay for young adults to indulge in are considered rude in the presence of

elders, e.g. one may beckon a peer with the index finger, but never an older person. Such

expressions from small children are not considered offensive. A certain amount of

etiquette is always expected, e.g. calling elders by their first name or their last name

without the prefix of Mr., Mrs., or Miss is considered very rude. It is best to start with

more formality and let them clarify how they want to be addressed. Second generations

living in Western societies may be more flexible on this. “Standing up to greet guests,

especially elders, opening doors for them, giving one’s seat up for them, not interrupting

and maintaining a generally respectful demeanor towards them is highly appreciated”, are

some points mentioned on the Sharon Pluralism Network site. Voicing open and strong
 Meitri Patel
Research Paper-Islam
Professor Salie
November 30, 2014

opposition to the views of elders is perceived as an insult. However, polite insertion of

views is appreciated.

Usually, most Muslims prefer a doctor or paramedic of the same gender,

especially with Muslim women. However, in emergency situations to save a life or

prevent injury, it is acceptable to be treated and handled by the opposite gender. Sharon

Pluralism states that the presence of a family member who might want to be present is

also appreciated keeping in mind that a women and a man cant be in the same room.

In Western societies where this is a common form of greeting, a handshake with a

person of the opposite gender is widely practiced. However, some Muslims prefer not to

do so. To avoid hurt American feelings should a handshake not be returned (and to avoid

discomfort on the part of Muslim women when they try to avoid this), it is preferable to

wait to see if they offer their hand and then follow accordingly, or greet with a slight nod

of the head accompanied by a smile. This is because they want to keep their distance

away from other men that our not related to them.

“Social distance” is especially important to maintain when interacting with

Muslim women. The difference may be obvious when dealing with a woman from a

more conservative group. If she takes a small step backward it is indicative that, though

interested in the conversation, she is uncomfortable and it would be kind to respect her

space. From an article on Oxford called Ablutions it says that it is not intended to offend
 Meitri Patel
Research Paper-Islam
Professor Salie
November 30, 2014

anyone but just a social norm they are now pertained to.

Maintaining eye contact when talking might make Asians, Muslim women and

the elderly uncomfortable. A better way is to look into their eyes briefly every so often

and then look away (perhaps at the collar, or an imaginary spot on the side) at the same

time tilting the head and/or nodding gently now and then to show interest in the

conversation. Most of these people now living in Western societies are used to this and

don’t mind direct eye contact at all. On the other hand the Children in some Muslim and

Asian societies are taught not to stare into the eyes of elders, or authority figures, as it is

considered disrespectful or challenging which is acknowledged on the Sharon web page.

In Western cultures, this expression of respect may be mistakenly interpreted as a sign of

guilt.

This may be considered impolite in only some Muslim countries. On the Sharon

webpage it also mentions that the touching of feet to another’s body is considered

disrespectful and, if that happens, an apology is expected and appreciated. Also Small

gestures like removing shoes when entering a Muslim house is appreciated for cleanliness

reasons, especially when shoes are muddy. Many Muslims keep separate shoes for

wearing indoors. It is best to ask hosts if they would like the guests to remove their shoes,

and follow accordingly.

Lastly, the slight bow (palms together slightly under the chin) is not
 Meitri Patel
Research Paper-Islam
Professor Salie
November 30, 2014

acknowledged in a similar manner by most Muslims, which may cause some

unpleasantness to Hindus and to Japanese people who use a bow in greeting. No offense

is meant to cultures which practice this form of greeting; it is only so because of the

Islamic belief that Muslims only bow to God.

This research paper has really helped me understand the Muslim religion that is

similar to my Hindu practice. We have certain beliefs that are similar such as giving the

elders much respect, touching of feet is considered offensive, removing shoes when

entering a home, social distance and bowing down for a greeting. I did not assume my

culture would have so many cultural beliefs that were common with the Islamic culture.

Some things mentioned in this paper may seem offensive and out of place for people who

are more accustomed to their own beliefs but people have to remember that every single

culture is different in their own way.

 Meitri Patel
Research Paper-Islam
Professor Salie
November 30, 2014

Annotated Bibliography

Esposito, John L. . "Faith." In What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam.

Oxford Islamic Studies Online. 30-Nov-2014.
<http://www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/article/book/acprof-9780199794133/acprof-
9780199794133-div1-19>.

o This articlehelped me start my paper off with some facts on how

many people practice Islam around the world.

DeLong-Bas, Natana J. . "Hygiene." In The [Oxford] Encyclopedia of Islam

and Women. Oxford Islamic Studies Online. 30-Nov-2014.
<http://www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/article/opr/t355/e0131>.

o This article helped me with a part of my paper that was associated

with hygiene and how it relates to the Islam culture.

Hoke, Beth. "Muslim Culture." Sharon Pluralism. Partners in Diverse

Community, 2014. Web. 29 Nov. 2014. <http://sharonpluralism.org/cultural-
protocols/muslim-culture/>.
o This article helped me a lot with figuring out what the Muslim
culture was all about and what types of beliefs that they believed in
which I used all throughout the paper.

Tecchiato, Gabriele . "Ablutions." In The Oxford Encyclopedia of the

Islamic World. Oxford Islamic Studies Online. 30-Nov-2014.
<http://www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/article/opr/t236/e0015>.
 Meitri Patel
Research Paper-Islam
Professor Salie
November 30, 2014

o This article helped me out a little with my information on social

contact and how Muslim feel about contact and personal space.

Von Sivers, Peter , Rüdiger Seesemann, John Schoeberlein, Dru C.

Gladney, Bruce B. Lawrence, Kamran Bokhari, M. B. Hooker, Fred R. van der Mehden,
P. S. Van Koningsveld, Jocelyne Cesari, Frederick Mathewson Denny and Kathleen M.
Moore. "Islam." In The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World. Oxford Islamic
Studies Online. 30-Nov-2014.
<http://www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/article/opr/t236/e0383>.

o This article helped me out a lot with basic facts on the Islam culture
and I used it more than one for my reference throughout my paper.