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Investigating Islam Kenosha Davalos Grand Canyon University INT 244 Gail Hallman December 2, 2023

Investigating Islam Islam is a multifaceted religion. With over 1.6 billion followers worldwide, it is one of the top religions practiced around the world. The word Islam translated in Arabic means to submit, so as a deeper understanding to be a Muslim means to submit to God. Many would say or view the practices of being a Muslim as being very rigorous and detailed. In diving deeper to understand and gain more knowledge of Islam or what’s it like to be a Muslim one may begin to look at its core beliefs and practices. While doing so the five pillars of Islam will be at the forefront. The core practices of Islam are summarized by these pillars. Though they are obligations of the faith they are not exhaustive. (Corudan, 2013) The five pillars that summarize Muslim or Islam are, confession, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and pilgrimage. The first of the five pillars is confession, or in Arabic, shahada. La ilaha ila allah. This is the fundamental confession of Islam: “There is no God but God.” As a monotheism religion it is crucial and an assertion of the fundamentals of Islam. Next,” Muhammad rasul Allah,” meaning the apostle who speaks God’s message. This allows the believer to commit an allegiance to God and his commandments. This confession is to submit to all teachings of the Islam faith. Reciting this confession and meaning it, is necessary to become a Muslim. Though it does not grant you salvation, the shahada is pertinent in both the beginning and end of life. The second pillar of Islam is prayer. Salat, in Arabic, which means to connect or communicate. This involves the ritualistic act of prayer held five days daily. Sunrise, noon, midafternoon, sunset, and one hour after sunset. Though prayer can be performed anywhere, men are encouraged to pray at a mosque. The events of salat are very organized. The call to prayer, adhan, is the initiation of salat. Ablution is conducted as preparation. This is the act of making the followers pure, high

involves rinsing of hands, feet, ears, mouth, nose, and eyes three times. Avoiding contact with a part of the body that can cause defilement. Once prayer begins which involves different postures and recitation using a prayer rug. Once prayer is completed people informally greet each other and continue about their day. Sawm or fasting is the third pillar, this involves not eating during daylight and during the month of observance, this month is referred to as Ramadan. Food being the main thing to abstain from, sexual relations and different forms of entertainment is to be refrained from as well. Alsmgiving is the act of charity. Though it isn’t any direct procedures via the Qur’an it does command all believers to practice regular charity. “ Establish Prayer and dispense Zakah (the Purifying Alms) [59] and bow in worship with those who bow.” (2:43 Quran) Lastly, we come to Pilgrimage. As a Muslim, if possible, it is expected for a visit to Mecca once in their lifetime. The official time frame of pilgrimage is the last month of the Islamic calendar, termed al-hajj. As a Muslim the five pillars are critical to the regimen of everyday life. “This faith gives rise to a desire to submit to Allah's will, and this transformation is achieved in an individual's life by submission to Allah through observing the five pillars” (Grand Canyon Univeristy, 2021) If we were to look at and/or analyze the day in the life of a practicing Muslim the pillar of prayer (salat) would be a major focal point in the daily activities and routine of that individual. Each morning would start off with prayer. So, the job or career that the person may hold would have to be understanding or at least have operating hours conducive to do have such a strenuous commitment. Proximity to a mosque would be important as well. Though women may not be required to enter the mosque for prayer men are encouraged to enter the mosque for prayer. In all the daily life of a practicing Muslim requires commitment and dedication to a routine.

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As we look to understand the five pillars of Islam, we may look to others forms of religion close in proximity and identify similarities. Frontiers mission based out of Phoenix is a group of individuals who direct mission is to bring Muslims into knowing Jesus. As it relates to the pillars of Islam and this group directs mission it basically goes against them. Its sole purpose is to bring awareness to Christianity to parts of the world that isn’t easily accessible to hear the gospel. The mission is to recruit, train, and send teams of workers to live in Muslin communities and bring Christ’s message to those who have yet to hear it. (Frontiers, 2023) Frontiers mission set up in Muslim communities, this close proximity is an advantage in locking into their focus group and building a relationship to understand the practices and customs of the Islam faith. To look back at the daily life of a practicing Muslim, salat being a heavy focus and priority this can be a defining moment for a member of the frontiers to connect and teach the gospel. Though keeping in mind that respect is key to anyone in an opposing faith, maybe as one is on the way to the mosque or coming from can hold a conversation to enlighten and open up a line of communication to share the good news. Take it as an opportunity to relate and gain awareness of ones life, daily habits and routines. This step allows the connection to come from a genuine place. If trying to share the good news the individual receiving the message has to find a personal investment. This allows for the message to be heard and received without disrespecting the life and beliefs that individual already has established. We all come from different backgrounds and beliefs and though we may not always agree, keeping respect at the forefront allows us to all gain a better understanding of each other's path we may walk. The Islamic faith as a whole is very intricate and detailed. The life of a Muslim is full of rules and regulations. Though it differs much from the life of a Christian we can take the routine of prayer and commitment to help become more diligent in our daily lives.

References Grand Canyon University. (2021). INT-244 Topic 3 Overview. International, S., Ali, Y., Maududi, A. A., Khan, M., Pickthall, Ghali, Dr., Haleem, A., & Junagarhi, M. (2023, January 30). Surah Al-Baqarah Ayat 43 (2:43 quran) with Tafsir . My Islam. https://myislam.org/surah-baqarah/ayat-43/#:~:text=(2%3A43)%20Establish %20Prayer,laid%20great%20stress%20upon%20them. Our Mission . Frontiersusa.org. (n.d.). https://frontiersusa.org/mission/ Corduan, W. (2012). Neighboring faiths: A Christian introduction to world religions (2nd ed.). IVP Academic. ISBN-13: 9780830839704

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