LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET travelled to Mecca to worship at the shrine.

The “Black Stone,” which according to Muslim tradition

8
INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS dates back to the time of Adam and Eve, eventually became a very important object for the
AND BELIEF SYSTEMS (IWRBS) Meccans at the time when various clans struggled to control the Kaaba. Mecca, situated on the
Grade 12 central western coast of Arabia is positioned on the major north-south caravan route.

The Life of Muhammad

ISLAM Around the year 570 C.E., Muhammad ibn Abdullah was born in the oasis town of Mecca just
off the western coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Muhammad’s father died before he was born while
Established around seventh century C.E., Islam is the youngest among the world’s major his mother died before he was six years old. He belonged to the clan of Hashim of the Quraysh
religions. With more than 1.5 billion adherents comprising almost one-fourth of the entire world tribe that controlled the Kaaba and the camel trade that passed through Mecca. Following the
population, Islam is the second largest group and one of the fasting growing religions in the world. tradition, he was sent to be reared among the Bedouins. When his mother died, Muhammad was
Majority of Muslims, the followers of Islam, live in Asia and Africa. There are 49 countries in the raised by his grandfather Abd al-Muttalib.
world that are Muslim-majority or comprise 50% of the population. The 1.2 billion Muslims in these Later on, Muhammad was taken into custody by his paternal uncle, Abu Talib, who was chief
countries equivalent to 74% of the entire Muslim population worldwide. More than 60% of the of the Quraysh tribe. Life must have been very difficult for the young Muhammad. With no formal
world’s Muslims can be found in Asia, including Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Turkey, schooling, Muhammad worked as a caravan worker travelling across the Arabian Peninsula as a
and Iran. Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country with almost 87% of the camel driver. From his travels in the Arabian Peninsula to the different Byzantine cities, he may
population practicing the Islam religion. In Africa, sizeable Muslim communities are found in Egypt have met and conversed with Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians alike. Muhammad soon learned
and Nigeria. the various ways and means of their belief system that may have led him to question the faith of
his own people, especially with regard their animistic practices and reverence given to numerous
SYMBOLS gods and idols. He used to retreat to Mount Hira near Mecca in search of truth about God.
The star and crescent has become the acknowledged representation of the Around the year 610 C.E., Muhammad began hearing the voice of God in a cave on the summit
Islamic faith. The symbol can be seen in the national flags of states that came of Mount Hira, just outside Mecca in the Arabian Hijaz. God was speaking to Muhammad in the
about following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the 20th century. Around Arabic language. Mostly auditory but occasionally in visual form, he began to experience divine
the 1970s, it was adopted by movements that advocated Arab nationalism. revelations delivered by the angel Gabriel. Muhammad first disclosed these revelations only to his
Traditionally, the crescent moon or the hilal has early connections with royalty. It wife since revealing these messages to his tribe could disturb the social order that was primarily
is also closely linked to the lunar calendar that orders the religious life of the anchored on clan and kinship. He was preaching a new order built upon God’s will and human
Muslims submission to this belief.
The term “Islam” originated from an Arabic word meaning “submit”. In other words, Islam
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND means to “surrender or submit oneself for obedience to God” or to “enter into a condition of
Islam began with the Arabian desert people around early seventh century C.E. These people peace and security with God through allegiance and surrender to him”. On the other hand, the word
had developed their own set of beliefs prior to the formal establishment of Islam and had been “Muslim” is the Arabic word for a person who submits.
influenced by other religions for a long period of time, including Byzantine Christianity, Judaism, A Muslim, therefore, is a “person who surrenders or submits himself to obey God”. In Arabic,
and Zoroastrianism. the word “Allah” is a compound of al (the definite article, the) and ilah (god or deity). Joined
Judea, the home of Christianity, was not too far away from Arabia, and the great cities of together, the words signify “god”. Henceforth, he is called Allah or “the one who is God.”
Damascus, Antioch, and Alexandria were neighbors to Mecca and Medina. Muhammad was preaching that there can only be one God.
Pre-Islamic people worshipped a variety of gods. While they recognize the existence of one The Muslims consider Muhammad as a messenger and the last prophet sent by God to
supreme god, local and tribal gods were mostly venerated by the people. Carved images were humankind who was visited by the angel Gabriel. While he gained the loyalty of several followers
done to represent these gods that were often revered and given blood sacrifices. Apart from the who were convinced by his religious ideals, the Meccan tribes eventually grew hostile to
presence of these gods, there were also angels, fairies, demonic creatures, and evil spirits in pre- Muhammad’s emerging faction. The radical teachings of Muhammad angered local tribes so they
Islam religion. began persecuting him and his loyal followers.
Apart from worshipping a pantheon of gods, pre-Islamic religion was also animistic in character.
Spirits found in rocks, trees, and wells had to be revered at their sanctuaries and placated for The Q'uran
assistance. In time, the city of Mecca became a sacred shrine because of these animistic The sacred writing of the Muslims is called Quran (or Koran in English) that literally means
associations “recitation” or “reading.” The Quran is the revelation from God of his speech (kalam) and is the
A meteoric stone that had fallen in Mecca centuries before became an object of veneration to foundation of the Islam religion. It is the supreme authority in all matters of faith, theology, and law.
the animistic people. Pilgrims then built an enclosure around the stone and called it Kaaba. Various In 610 C.E., when Muhammad received the first revelations, he was commanded by angel Gabriel
images and relics gradually filled the Kaaba, including a painting of Jesus and Mary. Pilgrims to “iqra” or “recite.” All Muslims believe that the Quran is a copy of the eternal scripture written in

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS |1 INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS |2

heaven but made known to Muhammad chapter by chapter. As such, the Quran is the word of God economics, diet, and even rules of hospitality. While Islam’s approach to life and death, origins of
that is binding, continuous, and supreme. The same message became known to earlier prophets the universe, and the nature of mankind is simple, it is also rigid and uncompromising.
like Moses and Jesus but people gradually altered the revelation entrusted to them by God. Any For all Muslims, there is only one compassionate, everlasting, and omnipotent God, being the
translation of the Quran, either in English or in any other language, is neither a Quran nor a version lord of everything in existence, including humans. Around eight thousand years ago, God created
of the Quran; rather, it is only a translation of the meaning of the Quran. The Quran in Arabic, the the universe and may terminate it when he wills it so. A “Day of Judgment” shall ensue wherein all
only language in which it was revealed, is considered the perfect word of God. humankind will be resurrected and individually accounted for. Everyone will be fully awakened and
In comparison, the Quran has almost the same length as the New Testament, the Christian raised to a higher spiritual life. Based on their own deeds and fully aware of the effects of these
biblical canon. The chapters that compose the Quran are called surahs while the verses are called deeds in this life, everyone will then be sent to either paradise or hell for perpetuity. All these
ayahs which mean “evidence” or “sign.” There are 114 chapters in the Quran, 86 of which are knowledges had been revealed by God to Muhammad and written down in the Quran.
classified as Meccan while 28 are Medinian. The hijra or the journey of Muhammad from Mecca to
Medina serves as a pivot point in the division of the Quranic verses that belong before or after the FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
said emigration in 622 C.E. The basic obligations of Muslims are called the Five Pillars of Islam or arkan al-din. While
Neither thematic nor chronological, the Quran is arranged based on the length of the surah in differences may occur in the interpretation of Islamic law, all Muslims believe and accept the
descending order. The longest surah has about 286 ayahs, the Al-Baqarah (“The Heifer”). The entirety of these obligations that must be strictly observed to avoid being sent to hell on the “Day
shortest surah has only three ayahs, the Al-Kawthar (“Abundance”). The first of all the surah is of Judgment.” The Five Pillars give structure and unity to all believers of Islam.
called Fatihah (“The Opening”) that is in the form of a prayer to God for guidance. The Fatihah, Foremost among all Muslims’ obligations is the declaration of their statement of belief called
written below, is the most frequently recited segment of the Koran. shahada (“witness”) that is recited during prayers and rituals. Apart from shahada, the four other
A person who is able to memorize the Quran in its entirety is called hafiz (“guardian”). The duties that must be performed by all Muslims are collectively called as ibadah (“state of
female counterpart is called hafiza. Whatever denomination Muslims may belong to, they always submission”). The ibadah aims to discipline the adherents and eliminate impostors to the Islamic
have the same Quran written in Arabic similar to the early days of Islam’s founding. No two copies faith. The ibadah is composed of praying five times a day, fasting during the time of Ramadan,
of the Quran anywhere in the world differ in any way. giving of annual charity, and undertaking a pilgrimage to Mecca once in a Muslim’s lifetime.

The Hadith The Creed (Shahada)

The hadith is the collection of the deeds and sayings of Muhammad and his followers The basic creed of Islam that “there is no God but Allah; Muhammad is the messenger of
(“traditional reports or sayings”) and is the second source of shari’a law. Unlike the Quran that was Allah” is known as shahada. In Arabic, the shahada is recited as “La ilaha illa Allah;
officially compiled under the auspices of a central authority (as initiated by the first caliph Abu Bakr), Muhammadon rasul Allah.” These are the very first words uttered into an infant’s ear and perhaps
the hadiths were collected generations after the death of Muhammad. The hadiths are recognized the last words given to a dying Muslim. The shahada asserts that Allah is the only divinity and that
today as second in authority after the Koran. he has relayed his will through Muhammad.
Around the ninth century C.E., Muslim scholars undertook a number of great systematic To be accepted into the Islam fold, one must recite the kalima or phrase with two witnesses.
collections of hadiths that are known as Kutub al-Sittah or the Six Sahih (“Authentic”) Books. The The first half of the kalima is known as tawheed (“the unity”) which is the most important statement
collections of Persian scholars Muhammad al-Bukhari (810-870) and Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj (c.815- of Muslim faith. The second half is called risallah (“acceptance of prophethood”) which implies
875) are the most respected and most often cited among the said collections. Imam Bukhari acceptance of prophets as messengers of god. For a Muslim to deny any part of the shahada is
authored the Sahih al-Bukhari while Imam Muslim compiled the Sahih Muslim. From the six books, tantamount to the crime of reversion to Islam that is punishable under Quranic law.
these hadith records are the two most authentic collections.
The word sahih in these titles indicates that the authors of these books sifted the authentic Obligatory Prayer (Salat)
reports about Muhammad from other unsubstantiated narratives. The various rituals and Just as the body requires food for its daily sustenance, prayers are done for spiritual
obligations embedded in the so-called “Five Pillars of Islam” as well as majority of criminal laws development so that a Muslim’s character and conduct remain sound and healthy (Aziz 1993).
originate from the hadiths. Facing in the direction of Mecca or qiblah, Muslims must offer prayers or salat five times each and
every day—
BELIEFS/DOCTRINES  before sunrise (as-subh),
Islam began as a way of life (din) for its followers which God intended for his creation from the  noon (az-zuhr),
very beginning. In time, God had to send several prophets, including Musa (Moses) and ‘Isa  mid-afternoon (al-asr),
(Jesus), to summon people back to the din as a result of human rebellion and transgression.  immediately after sunset (al-maghreb), and
Ultimately, all prophets were rejected, persecuted, or killed except for Muhammad.  before midnight (al-isha)
While some religions may have room for subjective or personal discernment regarding matters In a mosque or masjid (“place of prostration”) where Muslims offer prayers in congregation,
of conduct, Islamic beliefs are more dominantly social in character. Islamic religious laws cover the men and women pray separately. A structure of masjid can range from a simple desert prayer
daily life of all Muslims—from education, dress, marriage, sexual relations, justice, punishments, ground (musalla) or just any space whereby rules of ritual purity are properly observed.

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS |3 INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS |4

Poor Tax (Zakat) WORSHIP AND OBSERVANCES
Muslims who live above the subsistence level must pay zakat or the poor tax to aid the The Islamic calendar is composed of 12 lunar months of between 29 and 30 days. A year in
underprivileged Muslims. Affluent Muslims must share their wealth to the unfortunate ones. the Islamic calendar constitutes a total of 354 days. The difference between the solar and lunar
Originally, almsgiving was for the benefit of the poor, widows, and orphans through an act of charity. calendar is adjusted by adding one day to the last month of the year 11 times each 30 years.
Later on, it became mandatory amounting to a certain percentage of a Muslim’s total resources. Nonetheless, 103 Islamic years are the equivalent of 100 solar years despite the periodic
Islam has never viewed begging as dishonorable. modifications done on the calendar.
Zakat is not charity but an annual wealth tax that serves as just and lawful claim of the poor
against the affluent ones. The zakat is payable the moment a Muslim has accumulated sufficient Lists some of the most important festivals celebrated by Muslims worldwide.
resources starting with a basic rate which is fortieth (2.5 percent) of a person’s entire asset, Month Festivities/Significance
including savings, jewels, and land. A kind of tithe intended to support the needy, zakat has been Month 1: Muharram (“The • The Islamic year starts in the day of the hijra, Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to
a contributory factor of solidarity and unity for the Muslim people. It is a religious duty done out of Sacred Month”) Medina in 622 C.E.
obedience to Allah and compassion to poor Muslims. The spirit of self-sacrifice is developed by • Ashura: The assassination of the Imam Husayn at Karbala’ in 680 C.E. is
commemorated on the 10th by Shi’ite Muslims
paying zakat that somehow curtails the feeling of greed. Month 3: Rabi al-Awai (“The • Birth of the Prophet: Muhammad’s birthday is celebrated on the 12th.
The Quran states that all worldly wealth is unclean unless utilized in the service of Allah and Spring”)
Islam. Month 9: Ramadan (“The • Muslims do not eat or drink during daylight hours throughout the month.
Month of Great Heat”) • Laylat al-Qadr: The commemoration of the first revelation to the prophet is often
celebrated on the 27th.
Fasting (Sawm)
Month 10: Shawwal (“The • ‘Id al-Fitr: The Festival of Breaking the Fast at the beginning of Shawwal concludes
Fasting or sawm during the entire 30 days of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Month of Hunting”) the fasting season.
must be performed by all Muslims every year. The Ramadan is believed to be the month when Month 12: Dhu al-Hijja (“The • Month of pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca.
Muhammad received the first surah of the Quran. The sawm is done by all Muslims to express Month of Hajj”) • Yawn Arafat: On the 9th, fasting pilgrims perform the wuquf, standing before God
obedience to Allah and the readiness to relinquish pleasures in their lives. By undertaking sawm, on Mount Arafat.
• ‘Id al-Adha: The Festival of Sacrifice on the 10th recalls the sacrificial ram God
Muslims observe discipline and experience the deprivations of the poor. During this time, a Muslim gave to Abraham in place of his son, and coincides with the end of Hajj.
must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in any sexual intimacy from dusk until
dawn. By resisting the demands of the body during sawm, the Muslims strengthen their will. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar wherein Muslims are expected to observe
Muslims are reminded that they have the capacity to ignore the longing of the body or material sawm. Muslims may not eat, drink, or have sex during daylight hours. The last 10 days of the month
gratification. may be spent by continuous prayers of the most devoted Muslims. Finally, the sawm ends with ‘Id
The sawm culminates with the “Feast of Breaking the Fast” (‘Id al-Fitr) wherein Muslims al-Fitr or the Festival of Breaking the Fast marked by popular rejoicing and festal prayer
may celebrate and partake in festivities. They hold congregational prayers and exchange presents. Dhu al-Hijja is the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar wherein able-bodied Muslims perform
Unlike the Jews or Catholics who fast for a brief period of time in observance of holy days, the the hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca. Poor Muslims sometimes use their entire savings just to fulfill this
Muslims are obligated to fast the longest and strictest of all. obligation. The sick and the elderly may begin their pilgrimage without the certainty of
accomplishing this sacred duty.
Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) ‘Id al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice is the most important festival in the Muslim calendar
All Muslims must attempt to undertake a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca or hajj marking the end of the pilgrimage season. On the tenth day of the hajj, Muslims are required to
(“visitation of Holy Places”) at least once in their lifetime during the twelfth Islamic month. The slaughter a live animal (a sheep or goat) to commemorate Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his
“Grand Mosque” (Al-Masjid al-Haram) in Mecca houses the most sacred site of Islam, the Kaaba son Ishmael and his obedience to God. In the process, a ram was substituted in place of Ishmael,
(“House of Allah”). thus, allowing him and his offspring to live, including his descendant Muhammad
For Muslim men to participate in hajj, they must be sound, physically able, and able to provide Friday is the special day of worship for the Muslims as commanded by Muhammad. In
for their dependents while they are on pilgrimage to Mecca. On the other hand, Muslim women mosques, Muslims are required to pray with his fellows and prayers are led by an imam. An imam
may also take part in hajj subject to a number of restrictions. For example, women must be is a member of the community selected to lead the congregation due to the devoutness and
accompanied by a male chaperon (mahram) who must be a man they are legally unable to marry, religiosity he manifests to the people.
such as their father or brother.
Before travelling to Mecca, pilgrims (hajji) pray incessantly and perform extended washing Islamic Law
rituals. Pilgrims also shave and cut their hair and nails. For men, they wear a special ihram outfit The concept of law and justice in Islam, or the shari’a (“the road to the watering place”), is
that consists of two large pieces of white, unhemmed clothes. One piece wraps around the waist based upon the Quranic verses as revealed by God to Muhammad. The universal laws passed
and the other goes over the right shoulder. For women, they wear simple white dresses. They also down by God govern both the affairs of human and laws of nature. Apart from the Quran, the
wear additional garments to completely cover their face and legs. Men and women pilgrims wear teachings of Muhammad or the hadiths form the basis of Islamic legal system.
sandals instead of shoes.

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS |5 INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS |6

 The shari’a is a path of conduct that must be followed by all Muslims. It concerns almost the Sufi
totality of a Muslim’s life – from home life, business interests, marital relations, inheritance, and Muslims whose concern mainly dwell for a mystical union with God are collectively called Sufis.
various duties to the state and community Their name originates from the word suf that means “woolen” since they wore coarse wool
garments or robes to symbolize poverty and denunciation of worldly pleasures
Islamic Jurisprudence . A Sufi can be a Sunni or Shi’ite Muslim. The Sufi movement may have started around the
Islamic jurisprudence or the science of Islamic law is called fiqh. All aspects of Muslim way of ninth century C.E. at the time when there came a clarion call to live a simpler and austere life far
life and actions are covered through fiqh. Human behavior may be classified into five categories: from the splendor and grandeur that characterized the Abbasid Dynasty.
forbidden (haram), discouraged (makruh), neutral (mubah), recommended (mandub), and
obligatory (fard).
Forbidden actions are both sinful and criminal under pain of punishment. Accordingly, it is ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES
forbidden for all Muslims to eat animals that have died from natural causes or those animals that
were not ritually slaughtered. Pork is considered as the most unclean of all meats and must not be ACTIVITY 1
eaten no matter how the pig meat was produced. Other haram behaviors include drinking blood, True or False. Write TRUE if the statement is true and FALSE if the statement is false.
eating dried blood, and taking liquors.
The Five Pillars is an example of an obligatory category. These practices, such as almsgiving, 1. Islam began as a way of life (din) for its followers which God intended for his creation.
daily prayers, and ritual fasting, are compulsory to all Muslims. Failure to observe these obligations 2. The longest surah has 268 ayahs.
is sinful and punishable as crime. 3. Apart from shahada, the four other duties that must be performed by all Muslims.
The three other categories (makruh, mandub, and mubah) concern chiefly on things, such as 4. The zakat must be 2.5% of a person’s entire asset.
etiquette, donations, personal habits, and social life. Reprehended actions but not subject to 5. Muslims are required to prayer facing Mecca.
punishments belong to makruh. Meritorious or recommended deeds fall under mandub. Permitted 6. The Quran is binding, continuous and supreme.
behaviors that are neither good nor bad but neutral are classified as mubah. The hadith collections 7. Muslims whose concern mainly dwell for a mystical union with God belong to Sunni Islam.
8. According to figh, human behavior may be classified into four categories.
can be consulted to resolve these matters. 9. Jihad means “effort” or “struggle” to convince unbelievers to pursue the Muslim way of life.
10. Salat is done before sunset, noon, mid-afternoon, after sunset, and after midnight.
The Holy War (Jihad)
One controversial requirement placed upon Muslims by their faith concerns holy war or jihad.
A frequently mistranslated term, jihad means “effort” or “struggle” to convince unbelievers to pursue ACTIVITY 2
the Muslim way of life. Strictly speaking, it could mean a Muslim going to war to wipe out the infidels Match Column A with Column B. Write the letter of the correct answer on the blanks provided.
in the name of Allah.
Column A Column B
SUBDIVISIONS 1. Festival of Breaking the Fast A. Hadith
2. declaration of belief B. Kaaba
Sunni Muslims (The Sunnis) 3. annual wealth tax C. Hafiz
The Sunnis believe that any Muslim can be a ruler and he does not need to prove his lineage 4. collective term for the remaining four duties D. Shahada
to Muhammad as long as he gets the approval and confidence of the ummah or community. He 5. “black stone” E. ‘Id al-Fitr
can be an elected ruler or a hereditary monarch that should enjoy the support of the ummah. 6. Muslim laws F. Zakat
7. authored the Sahih al-Bukhari G. Ibadah
 These Muslims follow the sunnah (“customary practice”) of Muhammad from which their 8. those who memorized the Quran H. shari’a
name originated. 9. traditional reports or sayings of Muhammad I. Imam Bukhari
 Sunnah pertains to the orally transmitted record of wisdom, conduct, and sayings and his followers J. Imam
attributed to Muhammad and his earliest companions as recorded in hadith. 10. Muslim priest

Shi’a (The Shi’ites)

The Shi’ite Muslims are the largest faction within the Islam religion that separated from the rest
of the community. Historically speaking, three close associates of Muhammad became successive
leaders or caliphs of Islam with the death of the founder in 632 C.E. The caliphate acted as a central Prepared by: Reviewed and Checked by: Noted by:
unifying agency in Islamic history. Initially, caliphs were friends of Muhammad that acted as virtuous JOSEPH A. REYES PABLO NOEL R. SARMIENTO BERNADETTE N. OPAY
leaders of the believers. They may be chosen by election or general consent. Later on, the position Subject Teacher SHS Focal Person School Principal II
became hereditary resembling that of a king

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS |7 INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGIONS AND BELIEF SYSTEMS |8