Running Head: KORAN
Koran
KO
1. There are 5 Pillars of Islam. The first is belief and witness, exemplified by the Exordium which is often used as a prayer; to what does this prayer bear witness? By reciting this prayer, what beliefs are Muslims denying? (Exordium, The Cow).
The prayer bears witness to what has already been revealed before them and what has been revealed to them as well as those who have complete faith in the coming life (Dawood, 1956). They are guided by the Lord and shall eventually be successful.
The Muslims are denying some things; there are some who recite ‘We believe in God and the Last Day’ and still they are not believers of the same. Such people are doing so in order to cheat God and his believers, this is however not the case as they are only lying to themselves.
‘Believe as others believe,’ one answer: ‘Are we to believe as fools believe?’ the Muslims attribute that it is them who are fools if they only knew of the same. When the same Muslims meet the faithful the state ‘We, too, are believers,’ though if left alone they mock ‘we follow none but you: we were only mocking’ (The Cow, pp. 11).
2. The second pillar is prayer; when should Muslims pray? What is the benefit of prayer? How often during the day do Muslims pray? Why do they pray so often? (Joseph, Hud)
The Muslims are to attend to their prayers every morning and evening as well as during the night time. The benefit that comes with prayer is that good actions are to overcome the evil. They are to pray consistently patiently, they are encouraged to be patient as God will not deny the faithful ones of their reward. It is in the generations that those people, who do good deeds against evil, leaving a few, are set to be delivered from them. The people who are involved in negative matters will become guilty and the lord will destroy them and not hurt the righteous without a reason (Hud, pp. 161).
3. The third pillar is fasting, when must a Muslim fast? Are there exceptions to the rule of fasting? What does fasting accomplish? Imagine abstaining from food and drink in the deserts of Arabia during the day for the month of Ramadan, what would it do to your senses? How would you feel if you participated in the Ramadan fast here on campus at UE? (The Cow)
The Muslims are supposed to fast for a certain number of days while exceptions are for those traveling or sick they are only limited to a certain number of days. For the Muslims the month of Ramadan is left for fasting. It is through fasting that one is rewarded by God in addition to it being good for one self. Fasting in the deserts of Arabia can make one have a feeling of discomfort and render him sick or even die. Fasting on campus at UE brings a sense of magnifying of the lord and gives thanks to him for his guidance (The Cow, pp. 28).
4. The fourth pillar is almsgiving; what is almsgiving? How should almsgiving be done? What is an improper way to give alms? If one were to give away all one’s wealth, should one worry about poverty? Of what should almsgiving remind one? (The Cow)
Almsgiving is the act of giving a sacrifice. The sacrifice has to be done according to one’s capability, if he has no ability to offer gift he is supposed to fast for three days in the period of the pilgrimage, seven days on return which is a total of ten days. In the giving of alms one is not supposed to engage in sexual intercourse, obscene language and disputes as the pilgrimage takes place. Those who give everything to God are not supposed to worry about poverty as they will find favour with God as he is compassionate to his servants. One will not suffer in poverty as a result for you have fulfilled your sacred duties. In the process of performing the sacrifice one is supposed to remember the one who gave you guidance when in error or misfortune (The Cow, pp. 29).
5. The fifth pillar is pilgrimage, where should the pilgrim go? What actions should one avoid while on pilgrimage? What if one cannot afford to go or to bring a gift? What is the best month to make the pilgrimage? What effect would fasting while traveling have on a person? (The Cow)
The pilgrim should go to the sacred monument. While on pilgrim, one should avoid sexual intercourse, obscene language and disputes. If one is not able to offer a gift he or she is required to fast for three days and for seven days on returning bringing it to a total of ten days. One is supposed to make pilgrimage on the appointed month. Fasting for person who is traveling is likely to lead to discomfort and illness. (The Cow, pp. 30).
Bibliography
Dawood, N. J. (1956). The Koran. London, England: Penguins Books.
