How are Muslim social and family orders different? Features of a Muslim family (very detailed). monitoring compliance with the rights and obligations of spouses

"Adam visited Beitullah and climbed Mount Arafat."

After Adam (a.s.) cried for three hundred years, Allah taught him a few words. As a reward for uttering these words, He accepted his repentance. Scientists argued about what these words were. According to some, Adam said a prayer with the words: “Ya Rabbi, forgive and have mercy on me out of respect for Muhammad (s.g.w.).” The Almighty asked: “Oh, Adam! How did you know about Muhammad? Adam replied: “My Allah! When You breathed my soul into me, I opened my eyes and saw the following inscription on the edge of the Arsh: “La ilaha illallah Muhammadun rasulullah” . You wrote His name next to Your name. Therefore, I realized that You love him very much.” The Almighty said: “Muhammad (s.g.w.) is one of your descendants. He is a prophet and messenger. If I had not created him, I would not have created you and your descendants. Because you asked for his intercession, I have forgiven your sin.”

After this, Allah sent one ruby ​​from Paradise, the size of the Holy Kaaba. It was installed in the place where the Kaaba is now located. One of its doors opened to the east, and the other to the west. There were lamps made of rays of light hanging in it. This house was called Beytul-mamur (House visited).

A revelation came from the Almighty: “I have one house called Beitul-mamur. This house was built on earth as a reflection of Arsh in heaven. Go there and perform tawaf around him, as the angels do around Arsh. Read the prayer there and say dua. Then I will accept your prayer and forgive your sin. May your Hajj be acceptable and your efforts praiseworthy.” Allah also sent an angel to show how to perform the Hajj. Those places where the blessed Adam stepped were covered with green grass and became fertile. And everything around remained as before. Each step he took was three days of travel, and according to another narration, it was six kilometers.

Gabriel (a.s.) similarly explained to Adam how to perform the Hajj. Adam visited Beitullah and climbed Mount Arafat. The pious Hawwa also reached Arafat from Jeddah in search of Adam. This is where they met. Living far from each other for many years, they burned in the flames of separation. At first, Adam did not recognize Havva, since the color of her skin changed under the influence of air and sun. Dzhabrail introduced them. The sadness of the long separation disappeared, and its place was filled with the joy of a new meeting. They came to Mina together. The angels asked: “Oh, Adam, what do you want from the Most High?” “I ask for mercy and forgiveness,” he said. Adam's wish was fulfilled here. Having received permission from Allah, they went to Hindustan. Adam (a.s.) performed Hajj on foot forty times in his life. When Mujahid (ra) was asked the reason why Adam performed the Hajj on foot, he replied that no riding animal was capable of supporting the weight of his body. In Hindustan they lived in happiness and prosperity, spent their lives fulfilling the commands of Allah. Then, with the help of angels, they erected the building of the Kaaba in the place where Beitul-mamur had previously stood.

They say that the venerable Havva was pregnant forty times and each time gave birth to twins: a boy and a girl. And only Shit (a.s.) was born alone, for the Messenger (s.g.v.) was born from his family. The Almighty commanded that nikah be performed between a boy from one pair of births and a girl from another pair. He made nikah forbidden between half-children. The first to be born were Kabil and his twin sister Iklima. The second born were Habil and his sister Lyubuda. Habil was married to Iklim, and Kabil to Lubud. This was the Sharia law at that time. Iklima was very beautiful, but Lyubuda - not so much. Because of this, envy arose between them.

Qabil killed Habil. Adam (s.a.) grieved greatly. Jabrail (a.s.) appeared to calm him down and brought good news: “Soon the Almighty will give you a son, from whose descendants the leader of humanity (s.g.v.) will appear. Five years after Habil’s death, Shit (a.s.) was born. It is said that during the Flood, none of Adam's children survived. Prophet Nuh (a.s.) was one of the descendants of Shit (a.s.).

From the book "The History of the Prophets"

Christianity and Islam: similarities and differences. Details about religions, their similarities and differences.

Since ancient times, people have been divided into dozens of religions, but nowadays, apart from a small percentage of the world's population, people are divided into Muslims and Christians. Both religions believe in one God and in the creation of the Earth, but this is where the similarities between the beliefs end. In this article, we will provide clear examples of the similarities and differences between the two religions, as well as how religion affects both us and the country as a whole.

How do Muslim social and family orders and lifestyles differ from Christian ones: comparison, similarities and differences

Both religions originated more than 2000 years ago, and thanks to their adoption by one or another ruler, they became widespread and left an invaluable imprint on our lives. What country do you live in? Christian or Muslim? It is enough to answer this question and many things can be said about you, your foundations, holidays, worldview.

Religious family - harmony and peace

Tell me, you are not an atheist and religion does not influence you? But you go on holidays with the rest of your country’s society? But they are 99% determined by religion. And the attitude towards marriage, the number of children, communication with parents and even the timing of leaving the parental nest - everything has religious roots. We may deny our involvement in faith, but it tightly envelops our lives and directly affects the course of our thoughts and actions.

We provide a table of similarities and differences, as well as how religion affects our lives.

How do Muslims and Christians differ in their attitudes toward family, gender equality, and the elderly?

The foundations in the family are a clear echo of religion, strengthened by centuries-old orders in the state. Christians have always been equal with women; according to religion, a man should have only one living wife (in case of death, he is allowed to take a new one), with whom he will live in sorrow and in joy, sharing both glory and troubles together. But Muslims can have several wives, and even several concubines. But before taking a wife, he is obliged to confirm his wealth and the fact that he can adequately support his wife/wives and children who will appear in the marriage.

It would seem that Christian women are definitely luckier, especially now, where there is complete equality. But now women, looking at the situation again, are increasingly saying that the advantages are not so good, because they are responsible not only for housekeeping and raising children, but often they also become breadwinners in families.

In Muslim countries, as in Christian countries, divorce is acceptable today. But in Islamic countries, children remain with their father, who supports, educates and prepares them for adulthood. But in Christian countries, after a divorce, fathers often become cold towards their children and do not pay them due attention. In most cases, the mother is entirely responsible for maintenance and upbringing.

Christians treat their parents with respect, but having left the parental nest, they set off on their own journey in life, helping their parents more remotely. But Islam, on the contrary, preaches complete reverence and obedience to parents. As long as their parents are alive, men consult them on all important matters, thereby emphasizing their importance.

Similarities and differences between the Muslim faith and the Christian faith: comparison

What faith was there before: Christian or Muslim?

Despite heated debate, historians have proven that Judaism, Christianity and Islam emerged from a single source with a difference of 500-1000 years. Like everything new, what arose in ancient times was not recorded, and given that for the sake of dissemination and popularization, religion was often shrouded in multi-layered legends, mystery, etc. the exact date of creation is not known. But we know the starting points for certain:

• Christianity dates back to the first birthday of Jesus. That is, this year is 2018 years from the beginning of the countdown;
• Muslims began counting from the birth of the Prophet Muhammad 570-632 AD.

But Judaism was at its origins, since those who denied the resurrection of Jesus created their own branch - Judaism.

What unites the Muslim and Christian religions?

As you noticed, in both religions there is one God, to whom both people and Angels completely obey. God can both encourage and punish, and also forgive for sins. In both religions, God is the highest authority who helps us live, thanks to whom we live.

The role of the church and religion in the lives of Muslims and Christians: a comparison

Christians go to church on holidays, true believers go to every service on Sunday. Islam does not require this and it is enough to go to the mosque on holidays and when the soul requires it. But a prerequisite is prayer five times a day.

Regarding the influence of religion on a person's daily life:

• It is believed that Christians are more likely to break their commandments because they subsequently hope for forgiveness of sins;
• Muslims carefully observe the commandments, since Allah can become angry and significantly worsen the life of not only a person, but also his descendants.

Video: Islam, Christianity, Judaism - why there are several religions

Everyone knows that the family is the unit of society. Unfortunately, recently the attitude towards family and marriage in society has changed, not for the better. People have stopped taking seriously the creation of a strong and happy family and raising children as worthy members of society. According to statistics, every second marriage in Russia ends in divorce.

Society should strive to leave behind a worthy young generation. And a person can receive such an upbringing only in the family, surrounded by loved ones.

Islam puts the creation of a strong family at the forefront. According to established stereotypes in modern society, many consider the Muslim family to be backward and present a picture where the husband establishes an authoritarian regime of government, can have several wives and do with them as he pleases. Public opinion claims that a woman in a Muslim family has no rights, she is in the role of a servant and only takes care of the house and children.

To represent a Muslim family and the relationship between husband and wife in this way, and to consider it the norm in Islam, is extremely unfair and insulting to Islam. You cannot judge religion only based on examples of unsuccessful families and actions of Muslims. To hold such an opinion means to completely misunderstand Islam. To err is human; many Muslims today simply lack knowledge about their religion. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to characterize the Muslim family from the point of view of Islam, to describe what a Muslim family should be like according to the orders of the Almighty.

Muslims are ordered to build a family based on mutual consent and love. Muslim marriage is an agreement between a man and a woman, according to which they begin life together, showing mutual love, trust, assistance, and understanding towards each other. Family for a person should be a source of joy, tranquility, and enjoyment of life.

“Among His signs is that He created from among yourselves wives for you, so that you could find peace in them, and established love and mercy among you. Indeed, in this are signs for a people who reflect.” (Quran, sura 30, verse 21).

Only in a family where love and mutual respect reign can individuals with the high morality that Islam calls for be formed. Therefore, the family is the unit of society, the building material through which a successful society is built.

Regarding polygamy, Islam allows a Muslim to remarry. But the Koran stipulates strict conditions that must be met when concluding such marriages. Firstly, you are allowed to have no more than four wives. Secondly, there must be equality among all wives, and a man must treat his wives equally, without depriving anyone of attention and love.

Having two or more wives can only be afforded by a Muslim who is firmly on his feet and has enough money to provide for all his wives, and who is confident that not a single one of his wives will be deprived of his love and care. Therefore, in Muslim countries there are few such families; not everyone can take on such responsibility.

The most important joy in the life of a Muslim is his righteous wife. She keeps the family hearth, takes care of her husband and children. In the company of his wife, a Muslim finds peace and consolation; he completely relies on her when troubles, misfortunes, and fatigue overtake him.

In Islam, a woman has the right to choose her own husband. No one can force her to marry a man she doesn't like. But this does not mean that a Muslim woman should not listen to the advice of her parents, who have accumulated rich life experience.

The most important qualities by which Muslims choose a life partner are the attitude towards religious duties and the person’s character, i.e. character. If the choice is made meaningfully, based on these two qualities, then the family will be strong and happy.

The duty of the spouses is to give birth to children and raise them in the spirit of piety and morality, which are the basic principles of Islam.

“Your Lord has commanded you not to worship anyone but Him and to do good to your parents. If one or both parents reach old age, then do not say to them: “Ugh!” Don't yell at them and treat them respectfully. Bow your wing of humility before them out of your mercy and say: “Lord! Have mercy on them, because they raised me as a child.” (Quran, sura 17, verses 23-24)

Islam gives a special place to mothers. “Paradise is under the feet of your mothers,” said the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
As you can see, the basis of the Muslim family is a non-violent, voluntary, free marriage between a man and a woman. The basic principles of family life are: faith in one God, submission to Him in all matters, love between spouses, respect for parents and raising worthy and well-behaved children.
In Islam, divorce is permitted, but is the most disliked act before God. The Koran indicates the sanctity and indissolubility of marital bonds. Islam calls for patience and harmony between spouses.

Children are undoubtedly the highlight of any family. Children bring us joy. Parents have high expectations for their children. These are our future helpers and support in old age. Whether they will become like this depends on how successfully we manage to educate them and shape them as individuals.

In a Muslim family, where the precepts of Islam are observed, the spouses are aware of the responsibility that is entrusted to them in raising children. Children can become a source of joy for parents, but they can also become a source of troubles and misfortunes not only for the family, but also for society.

Raising children begins with the period of breastfeeding. In the Koran, God commands a woman to breastfeed her child until she is two years old:

“Mothers must breastfeed their babies for two full years if they want to complete breastfeeding.” (Quran, sura 2, verse 233)

Several years ago, doctors advised breastfeeding only up to one year, but now they recommend breastfeeding up to two years, as stated in the Koran. As you know, breast milk strengthens the immune system and heals not only the body, but also the soul of the child. In addition, breastfeeding is also beneficial for the woman herself. It helps to avoid diseases such as breast and genital cancer.

Unfortunately, many modern women refuse to breastfeed their children for fear of breast deformation. And in some cases, the child himself refuses breast milk, which is poisoned by alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

A Muslim woman, as a mother, understands the importance of breastfeeding and tries to maintain breastfeeding until two years.

As the child grows, his need for the attention of both parents increases. It is important not to miss the moments of nurturing certain qualities in children as their ability to understand life values ​​increases.
Today, when we are attacked from all sides by information about depravity and violence, it is becoming increasingly difficult to save a child from this negativity and to cultivate good behavior in him. It is very important for a Muslim family to instill in a child faith in one God. Without faith, a child can grow up to be a person who will lose his health by indulging in addictions. Only by surrounding him in the family with an atmosphere of good behavior and love for God can the child’s upbringing be directed in the right direction.

Nowadays it has somehow become unfashionable to start a family. Young people think that they need to have a good time, and then only think about starting a family. As a result, sick children are born from parents who have “worked up” and lost part of their health as a result. Pediatricians are concerned that fewer and fewer healthy children are being born every day. Today, many public figures and well-known politicians are sounding the alarm that society is collapsing, which could lead to a demographic crisis.

The breakdown of society is the result of the breakdown of the family in society. Won't this lead to the collapse of the entire state? Isn't it time for a radical revision of life values?

Islam does not consider free sexual intercourse and adultery a trifle. In Islam, this is not only an immoral act, it is a crime that threatens humanity with death. In Islam, family is virtue and righteousness. The salvation of humanity today lies in the revival of true family values, those accepted in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. (jcomments on)

1. In Islam, a Muslim family is created on the basis of legal marriage, called nikah.

The institution of marriage exists in all religions, and they are based on certain principles. Without concluding a marriage contract there can be no talk of a normal family. Marriage protects a person from promiscuity, sexually transmitted diseases and various problems. In addition, marriage prevents incest.

2. Thanks to marriage, the education of family members in the desired direction and the acquisition of morality is ensured.

According to Islamic principles, responsibility for this lies with the head of the family. In the Quran, Allah Almighty commands:

“O you who believe! Protect yourself and your families from Fire, the fuel for which will be people and stones.” Surah at-Tahrim, 66/6.

On this occasion, Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for your flock. A ruler is a shepherd (to his subjects) and is responsible for his flock, a man is a shepherd to his family and is responsible for his flock, a woman is a shepherd in her husband's house and is responsible for her flock, a servant is a shepherd for his master's property and is responsible for his flock, (so) each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for your flock.” Buhari

In Islam, it is the threads of iman (faith) that bind people together, and only after that comes blood ties. Therefore, some unbelieving family members remain outside the concept of family. When Prophet Nuh (alaihis salaam) prayed to Allah to save his son from the flood, Allah Almighty said:

“O Nuh (Noah)! He is not part of your family, and such an act is not righteous. Don't ask Me for what you don't know. Verily, I urge you not to be one of the ignorant.” Surah Hud 11/46

As we see, the son of Nuh was his son by blood, but due to unbelief he was not counted as a member of the family, while Muhammad (alaihi salatu wa sallam) considered Salman Farisi, a Persian by nationality, a member of his family, with whom he had no family ties.

3. The Islamic family is based on love and mutual respect between parents and children.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was very merciful to his children and his family members. He (PBUH) loved children very much and played with them all the time. Hazrat Aisha (radiyallahu ankha) said that one day one of the inhabitants of the desert came to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and asked:

- O Rasulullah! Do you kiss children? And we never caress or kiss children.

Muhammad (PBUH) replied:

“What can I do if Allah has deprived you of mercy and love?” Bukhari, Adab, 22.

This episode shows that in Islam, love and tenderness for children is of great importance. Muhammad (PBUH), placing Osama bin Zayd on one knee and his grandson Hassan on the other and pressing both to his chest, prayed to Allah:

"God! Bless them with mercy and happiness, as I wish them well and good luck!” Bukhari, Adab, 18; Muslim, Fazail, 64.

This prayer of the Prophet (PBUH) shows his tenderness and love for children. Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) categorically forbade uttering words of curses towards children and urged them to wish them only happiness and goodness.

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

“I served Muhammad (PBUH) for ten years. Seeing the flaw in my actions, he never said to me: “It would be better if you acted differently!”

Women during the Jahiliya period (pre-Islamic period) occupied such a low position on the social ladder that it was a strong insult to the fair sex. The Arabs, fearing that their daughters would lead an immoral lifestyle in the future, buried them alive in the ground. Hearts hardened and devoid of mercy dictated such cruel laws in order to protect themselves from immorality, which is a consequence of ignorance. Allah in Surah an-Nakhl describes the state of these ignorant people in this way:

“When the birth of a daughter is announced to one of them, his face darkens and he becomes sad.” Surah An-Nakhl, 16/58

Slave women were objects of insults and ridicule and at the same time toys for pleasure.

With the advent of Muhammad (PBUH), an institute of jurisprudence was created, in which a huge place was devoted to women's rights. Now the woman has taken her rightful place in society, where she was placed on a pedestal of honor and surrounded with respect and reverence. The greatest achievement of Islam is the institution of mothers. With the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) “Paradise is under the feet of mothers,” women received well-deserved attention.

The following incident is an example of the sensitive attitude of the Prophet (saw) towards women.

During one of the campaigns, a slave named Anas, singing songs, accelerated the running of the camels. Muhammad (PBUH), concerned that women, due to their delicate structure, would experience discomfort, gave the slave a subtle hint, expressing himself thus: “Hey, Anas! Be careful not to break the glass!”

In another hadith, Muhammad (PBUH) noted:

“Of the worldly things, I fell in love with women and beautiful smells. Prayer was made for me by the light of the eyes.”

Women and pleasant smells are truly important blessings given to us by Allah in this life.

A righteous woman plays a very important role in ensuring that earthly life passes in an atmosphere of happiness and peace. She guards property, protects the hearth, keeps the house in order and maintains the honor of the owner. A woman fills the house with happiness and love. Family happiness begins with maternal love. Any clouds of adversity and sorrow dissipate with a woman’s smile. Is there anything more tender, more sensitive than a mother’s heart, which sings songs of happiness and tenderness?

Mothers are divine creatures who have absorbed the mercy of Allah. A woman's happiness begins from the first moment of motherhood. The Hadith of the Prophet “Paradise under the feet of mothers” contains high praise and emphasizes the special role of women in human life.

Delicate scents are waves of pleasure that envelop the soul, bringing relief and freshness. Beautiful smells conceal pleasures that even such radiant creatures as angels enjoy.

One of the hadiths says:

“The best of you is the one who treats his family well.”

“Sacrificing for oneself, family and children is sadaqa.” (Sadaka is a type of almsgiving.)

With these expressions, Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) shows us that a healthy family is based only on sincere love.

On the other hand, children must show due respect to their parents. This is especially important during the period when parents reach old age and need attention and help.

Allah Almighty commanded: “Your Lord has commanded you not to worship anyone but Him and to do good to your parents. If one or both parents reach old age, then do not tell them: “Ugh!” - do not shout at them and address them respectfully. Bow before them the wing of humility according to your mercy and say: “Lord! Have mercy on them, because they raised me as a child.” Surah Al-Isra, 17/23-24.

Narrated by Abu Umama (radiyallahu anh):

“Once someone asked the Prophet (PBUH): “O Messenger of Allah! What are the rights of parents?

Muhammad replied:

“Thanks to them you can enter Heaven or go to Hell. So treat them with that in mind.” Ibn Majah. Adab, 1.

On this occasion, Muhammad (PBUH) issued the following warning:

“Allah is pleased (with a person) when the parents are pleased. Allah is angry when parents are angry."

Abdullah b. Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

“One of the Muslims came to the Prophet (PBUH) and said:

- O Rasulullah! I wish to take part in jihad with you.

The Prophet (PBUH) asked him:

- Do you have parents?

He replied that there is. Then the Prophet ordered him:

– Be close to them, for this is your jihad. Serve them!

Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“The mercy of Allah depends on whether the father is pleased with his children. The wrath of Allah depends on the wrath of the parents.”

In one of his sermons, the Prophet (saw) exclaimed:

“Let him be dragged by his nose along the ground, let him be dragged by his nose along the ground!”

The surprised companions asked: “O Rasulullah! Who are you talking about?" He answered them:

“Let them do the same with such a person who, when one or both parents grew old next to him, could not earn Paradise (by serving them).”

But with everything, there is such an important factor as the responsibilities of parents.

The father is the head of the family and therefore he is responsible for both the social and religious state of the family. The maintenance and upbringing of a child until he reaches adulthood, teaching him the required knowledge - all this is the responsibility of the father. He must teach the child himself or send him to a teacher. In this case, the mother is the father's assistant and is responsible after the head of the family. But the role of the mother in raising girls is especially important.

Fulfilling your parental responsibilities means fulfilling your responsibilities to Allah. All efforts and works, costs and expenses made for the family for the sake of the mercy of Allah are good deeds, serving people. The best service is the acquisition of excellent qualities, for thanks to this, Paradise awaits a person. Good morals are the cause of salvation for both wealthy and poor families, so everyone should strive to acquire good character traits and learn excellent manners.

The Prophet (saws) defined the main responsibilities of the head of the family as follows.

The father is obliged:

1) give the child a good name;

2) teach reading and writing, that is, teach the necessary knowledge;

3) when the child reaches marriageable age, marry him.

As we see, both children and parents have certain rights and responsibilities, so family comfort and harmony can be expected only when all members of society and family fulfill their responsibilities.

islam sunni prophet holy

Like Judaism and Christianity, Islam is a "religion of the Book". This means that for all three, the center of religion is the book. For Jews this is the Torah, for Christians it is the Bible, and for Muslims it is the Koran. The Koran is the basis of Islam, because it establishes religious rituals, legal and moral norms, lifestyle and rules of conduct for millions of Muslims. Without familiarity with the Koran, it is impossible to understand the customs and traditions that exist in the world of Islam. At the same time, understanding the text of the Koran itself poses a difficult task for the modern reader. The Koran (from Arabic “al-kuran” - “reading aloud”, “edification”) is the holy book of Muslims, a record of prophetic revelations spoken by Muhammad between 610 and 632. At first, these revelations were transmitted orally in the community, from memory. Believers wrote down some of them on their own initiative, until finally, in Medina, at the direction of Muhammad, systematic records began to be kept.

The first complete texts of revelations appeared after the death of the Prophet in the circle of his closest companions. These consolidated texts differed from each other in the number and order of recording revelations, and in the writing of individual words. The decision to compile a general text of the Qur'an, based on existing records and the testimony of people who personally heard the revelations of Muhammad, was made under Caliph Othman between 650 and 656 CE.

The Koran contains 114 suras of varying sizes. The first sura - “Fatiha”, which means “The Opener” - is something every Muslim must know (in Arabic). For followers of Islam, it means approximately the same thing as “Our Father” for Christians. Most suras consist of fragments of revelation, often unrelated thematically and uttered at different times.

In the revealed Book (as the Koran is usually called), along with clearly stated verses, there are revelations, the meaning of which does not lend itself to unambiguous interpretation. The most learned and authoritative experts in Islam comment on them.

Along with the Koran, the guidance for the entire Muslim community and every Muslim in solving pressing problems of public and personal life is the Sunnah (literally - “model”, “example”; the full name is “Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah”). First of all, this is a collection of texts describing the life of Muhammad, his words and deeds, and in a broad sense - a collection of good customs, traditional institutions, complementing the Koran and revered along with it as a source of information about what behavior or opinion is godly and faithful. Teaching the Sunnah is an important part of religious upbringing and education, and knowledge of the Sunnah and following it is one of the main criteria for the authority of the leaders of believers.

Islam presented five requirements to the Muslim, which were of paramount importance.

The first major tenet of the Islamic creed is the Shahada. Every religion contains statements that help its followers find the right guidelines in their lives. Shahada is a verbal testimony, proof of faith, expressed by the phrase: “La ilaha illa-l-lahi” (“There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah”). These words, spoken with sincere feeling in Arabic, signify a commitment to obey God and follow the prophet. These are the first words that a mother whispers into the ear of a newborn baby, and the last that a Muslim utters when dying. Although a practicing Muslim repeats these words several times a day, at least once in his life he must pronounce the creed correctly, thoughtfully, with full understanding and with sincere conviction of its truth. During battles, the Shahada was a battle cry. Initially, the concept of “martyr” (martyr) meant a warrior who died in a war with the enemies of Islam with a shahada on his lips.

Another important pillar of the Muslim faith is the obligatory prayer - salat (namaz - the Iranian term for prayer), which must be performed by a devout Muslim five times a day. Canonical prayer is performed according to a strictly defined ritual that developed during the life of the Prophet. The Koran calls man a “worshipper of God” and considers every believer as part of a religious community. Therefore, prayer and worship in Islam are not only a personal responsibility for everyone, but also an act of common faith. Through prayer, a person reminds himself that he is not God. He is a creature rather than a Creator. When people forget this, they try to put themselves at the center of the Universe, and this invariably leads to self-destruction. Man is a creature, and his life gains a true perspective only when he realizes this. So prayer for Muslims reflects the natural desire of the human heart to pour out its love and gratitude towards its creator and also helps to maintain a correct perspective of our life and submit ourselves to the will of God, our rightful sovereign. Muslims pray five times a day - at dawn, at noon, midday, after sunset and before dawn. As a whole community, lined up in ranks, they prostrate themselves before God and pray, facing Mecca. Knowing that brothers and sisters in all corners of the globe are doing the same creates a sense of participation in worldwide brotherhood, even when a Muslim is alone. The content of prayer is praising God, expressing gratitude, and asking for guidance and forgiveness. Before prayer, ablution was mandatory. The Koran instructs: “When you get up for prayer, wash your faces and hands up to the elbows, wipe your head and feet up to the ankles.” Water was endowed with sacredness, carrying, as it was believed, purification not only from physical pollution, but also from moral impurity. If there was no water, it could be replaced with sand. During the process of prayer, laughter, crying, extraneous conversations, and other actions that distract from the main thing - prayer are unacceptable.

A Muslim prayer building is called a mosque (Arabic “masjit” - “a place where prostrations are made”). The first mosque appeared in the village of Quba immediately after Muhammad arrived in Medina. The unique appearance of the mosque took shape towards the end of the 8th century, when they began to add a minaret to it - a tower from which the call to prayer was proclaimed. The minaret can form a single ensemble with the mosque or stand separately. Inside the mosque, a mihrab is made in one of the walls - a niche indicating the direction towards Mecca. The face of the person praying should be turned exactly there. Standing in front of the mihrab is like standing in front of God. From the very beginning, the mosque was not only a prayer building, but also a public building with many functions. In the first centuries of the existence of Islam, prefabricated mosques were built together with the residence of the ruler; the treasury and the most important documents were kept in them, decrees were announced, and legal proceedings were conducted. Gradually the mosque was freed from secular functions. To be nailed in a mosque, ritual purity is required of worshipers; they must be neatly dressed and behave modestly. When entering the mosque, you must take off your shoes. Women pray either in a curtained area. Or in special isolated galleries of the mosque. If among Christians the start of a church service is announced by the ringing of a bell, then among Muslims, before the obligatory prayer, the singing of the muezzin (“caller”) is heard. Having risen to the gallery of the minaret, he turns towards Mecca and, holding his earlobes with his thumb and forefinger, chants the azan (“prayer call”): “Allah is great. I testify that there is no God but Allah (pronounced twice). Go to prayer. Seek salvation." Before reading the prayer, the muezzin says twice: “Prayer is better than sleep,” and the Shiites (followers of one of the directions in Islam) add the phrase here: “Go to the best of things.” The adhan ends with the phrase: “Allah is great. There is no God but Allah."

The third mandatory requirement of Islam is fasting (Persian “Ruse”, Turkish “Uraza”), obligatory for all adult Muslims during the month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the lunar calendar). Ramadan is a holy month in the Islamic calendar because it was in this month that Muhammad was initially called as a prophet, and ten years later he decided to move from Mecca to Medina. In memory of these two great events, all Muslims whose health allows it fast throughout Ramadan. From dawn to dusk they do not eat or drink. And only after sunset can they afford a modest meal. As Ramadan progresses, the behavior of the entire community changes. The pace of life slows down, and it’s time for reflection. This is a period when social relationships are reaffirmed, reconciliation is encouraged, and people feel more unified with each other. Everyone, rich and poor, fasts together. Fasting has several advantages. It makes people think and reflect on their spiritual state. It teaches self-discipline, since a person who is able to obey its demands will find it easier to moderate his appetite at other times. It also reminds man of his frailty and dependence on God. It makes people more empathetic, because those who have experienced hunger themselves are more likely to respond to the suffering of others. Muslim fasting has a unique character. During daylight hours it is forbidden to eat or drink. You should also not smoke or smell anything edible or pleasant to smell. Abstinence from everything that leads to pleasure is necessary. With the onset of darkness, the prohibitions cease to apply. The Koran emphasizes: “Eat and drink until the white thread and the black thread can be distinguished before you at dawn, then fast until nightfall.” “It is permissible for you to approach your wives on the night of fasting” (Quran). Fasting during the month of Ramadan is not just fasting and abstaining from pleasures. It is intended, first of all, to help strengthen faith in Allah and other religious tenets of Islam. Every day before dawn, a Muslim must pronounce a special sacramental formula - niya, declaring his intention to fast, turning to Allah for blessing and strengthening him in this godly deed. At the end of the day of fasting, a Muslim must turn to Allah with words of gratitude.

It is the duty of a Muslim to make a pilgrimage (Hajj) at least once in his life to Mecca, where Muhammad first received divine revelation. The main rituals of the Hajj, according to legend, were established by Muhammad himself during his farewell Hajj in 632. Arriving in Mecca, pilgrims take off their clothes, which clearly indicate their social status, and put on a simple robe consisting of two pieces of material. All differences in position and wealth disappear: the king and the slave stand equal before God. The first step is to circumambulate the Kaaba. This is followed by other rituals depicting scenes from biblical history. The pilgrimage is not only a purely religious rite; it also benefits international relations. The Hajj brings together people from different countries, showing that they have a common faith that unites them, despite possible conflicts between their states. Pilgrims learn about their brothers from other countries and return home with a better understanding of each other. The fifth key pillar of Islam is zakat - a contribution to the benefit of needy Muslims. Muslim jurists interpret this term as “purification.” A tax in favor of needy Muslims is obligatory almsgiving, which “cleanses” and gives those who pay the tax the moral right to use wealth and acquired property. Therefore, material wealth in life is very important, but some have more than others. Islam does not ask why this happens, but it does give advice on what to do in such a situation. The answer is simple. Those people whose lives have been more prosperous must help ease the burden of those who are less fortunate. Muhammad introduced this order in the seventh century, establishing an annual tax obligatory for everyone. This money was to be distributed to slaves who wanted to buy their freedom, to the poor, to debtors, to prisoners and to strangers. At the same time, the Koran emphasizes that the attitude of the giver is more important than the actual amount of help. Pride, arrogance and empty words should be avoided. Then the giver can cleanse himself and atone for his past selfishness and irresponsibility. When zakat is paid, the use of the wealth from which it was paid becomes sinless. In the suras, sunset represents a good deed, material assistance, alms. The establishment of a regular collection for the benefit of needy members of the community apparently occurred immediately after the Hijra.

These five injunctions are related to the private life of a Muslim. However, Islam is a religion with a strong social teaching. The ideal of Islam is the same as that of Jesus: brotherly love. Islam not only talks about the true path, but also gives detailed instructions on how to achieve this ideal. While supporting trade and profit, Islam emphasizes the need for justice in all social relations.

The Koran, which contains the basic legal norms that have been developed in a number of additional manuals, represents the basis of Islamic law. The set of prescriptions and rules that every Muslim must follow in his daily life (religious, civil, family) is called Sharia (straight, correct path).

Muslim law provided for the division of punishments into mortal ones, aimed at completely ridding society of the criminal; avenging, designed to satisfy the sense of social justice; suppressing, reducing the possibility of offenses in the future; edifying, which were supposed to mainly influence the offender himself, keeping him from committing crimes. For example, suppressive punishments (hadd) were used, meaning lashing or caning with a number of blows from 40 to 100, in cases of apostasy and rebellion, if the court did not consider it necessary to execute the criminal; blasphemy and demonstrative violation of ritual instructions; perjury and perjury; illegal sexual intercourse, if the perpetrators are not married. Hadd was punished for molestation, drunkenness, drunkenness, involvement in gambling, and fraud.

Muhammad banned gambling and drinking wine. Such steps seemed to Muhammad absolutely necessary for the purification of morals, for in pre-Islamic Arabia the addiction to wine spread, which became the cause of many crimes. Playing dice caused such excitement that as a result, not only property, but even wives and children were often lost. According to the Sunnah (examples from the life of Muhammad as a model and guide for Muslims), drunkards were punished personally by Muhammad with 40 blows from a palm branch cleared of leaves.

The prevailing belief among Europeans was that the Koran brought the enslavement of women, turning her into a slave to her husband. Yes, the Muslim woman did not gain equality (however, it did not exist anywhere at that time), but Muhammad’s reforms in the field of family law meant a step forward in ensuring women’s rights. In pre-Islamic Arabia, women had no rights at all. The power of the head of the family was absolute and unlimited. Nothing protected a woman from the tyranny of her father or husband. Often, especially in poor families, newborn girls were killed. To avoid bloodshed, they were buried alive in the ground. The Koran, protecting the lives of infants, imposed an unconditional ban on infanticide. The wife was required to pay a ransom, which her father received. In marriage, a woman did not have any legal rights. She was not allowed to have her own property, go to court, or ask for a divorce. She was deprived of the right of inheritance to her husband; having become a widow, she could not remarry. At the same time, the husband did not bear any obligations towards his wife. The Koran put the family under its protection. Under Islam, the wife received the opportunity to own property, independently conduct commercial affairs, and acquired the right to go to court and inherit to her husband. From now on, the wedding ransom was paid directly to her, and not to the father, as before. The husband was obliged to lead a truly married life, to take care of the maintenance of his wife, treating her humanely and fairly. The Koran says: “And from your wealth that Allah has sent you, give to your wives, clothe them and speak good words.” Of course, we should not forget that according to the canons of Islam, a woman is a “second-class” human being. This attitude was determined by the idea of ​​secondaryity. The Qur'an states that Allah "has created for you wives from among yourselves, so that you may live with them." It is not difficult to see in these words the similarity with the biblical myth of the creation of woman. The Koranic injunctions regarding the right of inheritance arise from the view that two women are equal to one man. The testimony of two women was considered equivalent to that of one man. The Koran allowed a man to have up to four legal wives. It was forbidden to marry close relatives. If a Christian or a Jew could become the wife of a Muslim, then a Muslim woman could only marry a fellow believer. If a husband, divorcing his wife, subsequently wanted to restore marital relations, then he had to set one slave free. Yes, Muslim law did not prohibit a man from having slave concubines, but the Koran forbade forcing slaves to cohabitate if they wanted to lead an honest life. A child born from a concubine was recognized by the Koran as equal in status to one born from a lawful wife. Muslim divorce was a very simple procedure. The husband, and this was quite enough, said to his wife in the presence of two witnesses: “you are free,” or uttered the word “talaq” (divorce, liberation) three times. After this, the wife had no choice but to pack her things and leave her husband’s house. Adult children remained with their father; minors could be taken by the wife. Sharia, while retaining the initiative for divorce to the husband, at the same time established that a woman has the right to divorce only if the husband is terminally ill, suffers from sexual impotence, or has lost his mind.

An important requirement of the Koran was “jihad” - the fight for faith. One of the last suras of the Koran emphasized that as long as the polytheists do not enter into enmity with you, you should not be at enmity with them, since Allah loves justice. And if they have forgotten their oaths and are engaged in defamation of your faith, you must fight with the inspirer of wickedness. Soon such concepts as “jihad of the heart” appeared, which implied one’s own struggle to improve the faith; “jihad of the tongue” - the believer speaks approvingly of what is pleasing to God; “Jihad of the hand,” which implied punishment for a crime against faith, and, finally, “Jihad of the sword,” which implied direct war with the infidels. When the Muslim wars of conquest, which had a direct connection with jihad, began, relationships with enemies were built in different ways. For pagans there was only one choice: conversion to Islam or death. The “People of the Book” (Jews and Christians) were offered a different choice: acceptance of Islam, payment of a permanent tax (jiziah) or war.

A characteristic feature of the Muslim religion is that it vigorously intervenes in all aspects of people's lives. And the personal and family life of Muslim believers, and all public life, politics, legal relations, court, cultural way of life - all this must be entirely subordinated to religious laws.