created a succession vacuum based on what to be the official scripture of Islam. This divided the ‘Muslims to Shiite and Sunni. The Sunni Muslims believe that other than the Koran, some of Muhammad's ways of life and sayings are official (Hadith). However, the Shiites believe that it is only the dictates of the Koran that are official. ‘Though they are divided, ‘Muslims are united on the authority of the Koran and Muhammad. Rites of passage in Islam In Islam, rites of passage are usually associated with birth, puberty, marriage and death. These rites primarily function to get rid of an individual's old status and roles and prepare him or her for a new position, duties and responsibilities. (i) Birth rites There are four major Islami call to prayer (Adhan), naming ceremony (Tasmiyah), thanks-giving (Ageeaah) and circumcision (Khitan) ic birth rites, namely, a) Call to prayer (Adhan) This rite is performed soon ing of prayer words after a new baby is born. It involves whisperi which are “Allah is great, there is no God but ‘Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Come to prayer” into the ears of @ newly born baby. These become the first words that a new- bom Muslim baby hears. The ritual words serve to bring the baby into a! from the first moment of li ed and identify themselves n awareness of Allah ife. This means Muslim children are identifi as Muslims from birth. ‘At this stage, a new-born baby is also honey. This practice comes from the mething should given a teaspoon of belief thata baby’s first taste of SO? 1, Honey has medicinal val practice promotes good health. b) Naming ceremony (15) The naming of a child is usual}, ¥ seventh day after birth. iis one oy | that ae Hei Pa involves ceremony friends and sometimes religious leade, members, friends and religious leaders ca help in naming a child. a The naming ritual is not only do, newly born babies. It is also done 1 converts, New converts undergo a nar, ritual in order to get an Islamic name. Is, expressed in Arabic because names are ig believed to be a holy language. Com Islamic names for boys and gitls are show: the following table. ‘Table 5.1 Common Islamic names for boys and sits ‘Muhammad |Boy | Highly pr ‘Abdullah [Boy | Servant of Allah ‘Aahil Boy | Prince Aisha Girl _ | Living prosperously Laiba Gil |The beautiful one heaven Wianahil | Girl [Spring of fresh wate ig ‘Arabiclslamic names help @ new om identify himself or herself with thew hole Ms thermore, they P community. Fur ‘Arabic cultural heritage ©) Thanks-giving ceremony (Agee This ceremony is performed soon after 2 has been named. During the ceremony 3% bom baby is shaved family is expected to give * othe weight of he arite, therefore, demonstrates citizenship and social socially responsible and (generosity) are moral virtues in Islam @ circumedsion (Khitan) js a ritual where a Muslim poy’s foreskin is removed. In Arabic, as tahara, meaning purification. It is performed at any time before puberty, tout most preferably between three to fifteen years mmtirpo.convert *° Islam are also Trpeced to be circumcised, It not clear how this ate originated. The Quran is silent about mesion. However, prophet Muhammad's al words and actions (Sunnah) make reference to circumcision as a ‘law for men.’ For this reason, it seems circumcision was borrowed sromJews.Itisa common belief that Muhammad was born without a foreskin, meaning he was aposthetie. As such, circumcision is seen as a way offollowing the way and life of the prophet. ircumeision is also done as a sign of purity and cleanliness. Itis a sign of identity in that it is seen as an acceptance of Islamic faith and a sign of belonging, Itis also seen as cultural heritage as itisa preservation of Islamic cultural identity. In addition, circumcision has health benefits in that if properly done, it helps to minimise contracting, sexually transmitted infections including HIV and AIDS. However, if not properly done, it can be hazardous to health. Excessive bleeding can lead to death, Similarly, use of unsterilised transmit disease causing HIV virus, from one person fo another, For Muslims, HIV: and AIDS xisk is reduced in that circumeision is done by Some medically-trained personnel who may oF ™aY instruments can germs, for example not be Muslims. e) Puberty rites ‘This comes in with recitation of the Quran from memory. This ceremony is usually done during the month of Muhammed’s pirth and is accompanied by festive celebrations: The puberty rite is a ceremony performed to mark ‘and celebrate a change from childhood to adulthood. In Islam, there are no clearly defined puberty rites. Instead, there are activities that are introduced to children from the age of seven. These activities channel children towards gender-based adult roles in an Islamic society. For example, at the age of seven or twelve, depending on the community, boys begin to attend public prayers with adults. Girls get more involved in home activities. Socialisation of children into what is expected of girls and boys begins at this point. At this age, both boys and girls begin to fast during Ramadan. Fasting helps to develop qualities such as endurance and tolerance. It should be noted that socialisation of children into girls and boys can have effects such as stigmatization and stereotyping, Pate—— fuss mr she become woman marries a non Ibkely © abandon the duce family int child. Her ri Gpoice who mist ee | The ceremor Imam, 20 Islan short ser™™: ve wean ® event PF move ar This indi relationships “ ead of sexually ' rectly hel nich alsmarriage ceremony: If it has not been paid, "4 pride’s family has the right to demand it “a their daughter is divorced or dies. The wl xen ensures that the bride becomes a wife to with property ensures that @ amply handed. Marriage establishes rights and “ities between husband and wife and ‘iso between their respective families pivoreisallowed in Islam and is very simple man simply declares that ‘I divorce you’ ree times at three different occasions in the of her own. In addition, the token divorced woman does not go res} th presence of witnesses. A woman is also allowed to divorce her husband but if she does so against the wishes of her husband, she is supposed to return the Mar. This kind of divorce is called khul or khula, There is gender equity in terms of the sight to divorce. Although divorce looks simple, itis not encouraged anid/ean only take place 28 the last resort. Divorce rates are very low in Islam. ‘This is because of the belief that of all the things ‘Allah permitted, divorce is least desired. Divorce enables men and women to move out of marriages that can endanger their health and wellbeing. However, it may negatively affect the welfare of children. Child welfare and care is usually good when parents are together. Divorce promotes behaviours that are risky to the health ofan individual and the whole community. This is because divorced people are perceived to behave recklessly, Some become excessive alcoholics, drug abusers and addicts, and some become promiscuous. However, thereare divorced couples who manage to move on and lead more stable and happier lives than before and even remarry and live happily ever after. 4. Death rite In Islam, death is not the end of life but the beginning of a new eternal life in heaven. Where vad ‘a dying Muslim prepares for death oi fut the Shahada known in English as 7 ae of faith. The confession or creed a pia that there is no God but Allah” Rela ly the od words of a dying Muslim. dying and friends comfort and remind a ore ibet he or she is going to live wi Tecite verses from the Quran. wa a the body is washed three times sie the same sex and covered with a / whichis a white cloth. Loved ones are not ~~ allowed to scream or get angry because death is Allah’s will. Screaming and getting angry is like questioning Allah's will. The body must be buried as soon as possible, facing Mecca, the holiest city in Islam. ‘A dead body is not placed in a coffin. A coffin is not used because it is not in line with the belief in resurrection. A coffin is an enclosure that makes it impossible for a dead person to resurrect. The grave must not be raised as a symbol of humility. Tombs of the saints are generally regarded as sacred hence they are often visited for religious purposes. [ 57ctor among Muslims. It Muslims to mix and barriers. It ntrepreneurial in that y trading Muslimlife. During P' Ind sell goods and servic js the best example of relig Pilgrimage Iso tea ronment manager re not allc ~ envi men Mecca, pilgrims 3 and animals (flora and fau jgrimase Fig 5.2 Islamic pl. ifiedsacred attire in Islam samisaway oflife Itfollowsbelievers wherever goin a hotel, school, bus, or stadium, a they go: I im must be dressed decently and modestly Muslit couch thereislittle difference between dressing in ondinary daily life and dressing for religious purposes. All kinds of Islamic clothes are linked to the Quran or Muhammad's teachings, hence they are sacred. Islamic dressing also varies from place to place and from country to country. For example, kofia, meaning a cap with a flat crown is common among African Muslim men and not among Muslim men in other parts of the world Whether in the mosque or ordinary places such as homes, Muslims follow the following dressing requirements: a) The whole body must be covered properly and decently. The Quran requires a woman to cover her body particularly her chest, but generally they cover their whole body except face and hands. For men, the minimum amount to be covered is between the navel and the knees but they usually cover the whole body. Clothing must be loose so that it does not reveal the shape of the body. Transparent lthes, skin tights, body-hugging clothes aad tini-skirts or shorts are not allowed for tothmen and women, Clothes that arouse *Suial feelings are forbidden. This helps to Pisvent immoral sexual behaviours @pPearance for both men and women should be modest and dignified. Shiny and clothing is not allowed. Decency and is emphasised. One should in order to gain admiration or from others, ®) Symboty clothes from other religions are ot ot forbidden. Islam encourages believers to be proud of what they are. They should not copy other people’s dressing styles. Men should dress like men and women like women. Women are not allowed to wear men’s attire and the same applies to men. For this reason, men are not allowed to wear gold and silk as these are considered feminine accessories. This points to sexuality and gender differences in Islamic faith. ig. 5.3 Islamic men and women attire Types of Islamic dress a) Hijab or imar: this is the Arabic term for veil. Though most popular with women, men can also wear a veil. It is meant to protect Muslims from outside influences and to conserve their honour. Fig. 5.4 Arabic veil Jfuslims. It is a whit, during pilgrimages ; en. Its purpose is 4, ention. It is also meant 4, of the prophet Muha" ded by the propheta) vetendar which i is solar and changes each year, ‘pased on orbital period of the earth’s revolution, slim sacred days and festivals, dha and Eid Al Fitr. Other sacred celebrated by the entire Muslim ‘Their dates are in the Gregorian Eid Al Adha: It means festival of the sacrifice. It is a major festival that marks the end of the pilgrimage. It begins on the 10% of Diw't-Hijja, meaning the last month of the Islamic calendar and lasts for four days. These four days are considered sacred. The Muslims usually sacrifice a sheep and distribute its ‘meat into three parts among family, friends and the poor. Ramadan: It means the month of fasting. It is not a sacred day but a sacred (holy) month Ramadan is celebrated in the ninth month of the Islamie year. This ninth month is believed to bethe time when the Quran was sent down by ne During the month i, Muslims are expected to abstain and drink, evil thoughts and deeds and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk. It is a period of spiritual reflection, devotion a, Fasting is encouraged because it is believed to turn the heart away from worldly activities. Muslims start taking part in Ramadan at puberty. Travellers, pregnant and breastfeeding women, menstruating women, ill and old people are excused from fasting, During this month, Muslims are expected to read the whole Quran. Fasting is important because it instils self Aiscipline self-control, sacrifice and empathy for those who are less fortunate. Generosity, ° d) charity and sadaqa are encouraged during Ramadan. Sadaga means giving more on top of almsgiving. Thus, during Ramadan many Muslims give food, clothes and other gifts to the poor and homeless. Ramadan helps to build peace between and among Muslims. It also cultivates the spirit of social responsibility and good citizenship. Eid Al Fitr: It means festival of the breaking of the fast. It marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated during the first three days of the Islamic month. During this festival, Muslims celebrate and thank Allah for the self-control practiced in the process of fasting. Rituals performed during this festival include communal prayer in a mosque, exchange of gifts, wearing new clothes and visiting graves of departed relatives. The festival is characterised by joyfulness, togetherness and thankfulness. They would also eat the best food. It is more like Christmas. Al Hijra: It is the Islamic New Year and is celebrated on the first day of Muharram which means the month in which Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. This holy day is not official. In modern times, some Muslims exchange greeting cards to celebrate this day. Ashura: Thisis an Islamic sacred day celebrated on the 10" of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year. Its religious importance comes from the fact that soon after migrating from Mecca to Medina, Muhammad selected Ashura as a day of fasting from sunset to sunset. PNashets mone) sacred day is according to Islam. nportance of any two sacred Islamic days. importance of sacred days in Islam and suggest reasons why there are few