The Parish Church of St James
St. James's Road, Hampton Hill, TW12 1DQ (Parish Office 020 8941 6003)
Link to Home Page
YOUNG St. JAMES'S - World Religions
World Religions Contents: World Religions | Christianity | Buddhism | Hinduism | Islam | Judaism | Sikhism | Others
""

ISLAM

Cockle shellCockle shellCockle shellCockle shellCockle shellCockle shellCockle shellCockle shellCockle shellCockle shellCockle shellCockle shell

The Origins of Islam

Followers of Islam are called Muslims. Muslims believe that Islam started with Adam, the first man, who was also the first prophet or messenger. The prophets were sent to teach people how to live and worship him. They believe that their religion was completed by the last and greatest prophet, Mohammad, who was born in Makkah (Mecca) in Arabia, present day Saudi Arabia, about 1,400 years ago.

Beliefs
Muslims believe that there is one true God called Allah who created the world and everything in it. The word Islam means obedience. Muslims obey the will of Allah, or God, and follow his guidance in every part of their lives. Allah is all-powerful, all-seeing and all-knowing.
Islam
Places of Worship

The Mosque

Mosques are often beautifully decorated but there are no pictures or statues of living things to detract from the worship. Men and women sit separately. There is an alcove in the centre called the Mihrab which faces in the direction of Mecca. An Imam is the leader or preacher.
To show respect for Allah, shoes are left outside the mosque. Before they pray, Muslims wash in a special way called wudhu.
Holy Writings
The Muslim Holy book is called the Qur'an or Koran. Muslims believe it contains the words of Allah, or God, as given to the prophet Muhammad. The Qu'an is written in Arabic.
The Qu'an
Festivals

Muslims practice the five pillars of Islam. Muhammad taught that believers should pray five times every day while facing the holy city of Mecca. Faithful Muslims will stop whatever they are doing, and bow down to pray on a prayer rug.
During the sacred month of Ramadan, Muslims must fast, not eat or drink, from dawn to dusk. They must never eat pork or drink alcohol.

Signs and Symbols

Calligraphy
Calligraphy is the art of writing, used throughout the Muslim world. The Holy Qu'ran is written in Arabic and verses from it are used decoratively in mosques and elsewhere, often appearing on items around the home, such as wall hangings, plaques, ornamental carvings, etc.
A Prayer Mat is used for prayer. After performing a ritual washing and with shoes removed, worshippers kneel on the carpet, having first made sure that they are facing Mecca. Some prayer mats have a compass attached to help. The prayer mat may be decorated with geometric patterns or designs of leaves and flowers. It may also feature representations of important mosques. The 'mihrab' or arch design mirrors the 'mihrab' found in mosques to indicate the direction of Mecca.
Prayer Mat
Tigiyah
A Tigiyah is a prayer hat worn by men and boys and is often made in white crochet-work. The skull cap, scarf or veil is worn to cover the head as a mark of respect to Allah.
Tasbih are prayer beads representing the ninety-nine names of Allah. They are sometimes only thirty-three in number, so the person at prayer should work around the beads three times.
Tasbih

Websites to Visit
Photographs and Line Drawings
Islam for Children
Photographs and Line Drawings
Photographs

Islam for Children

Line Drawings
     
Jamia Mosque
The Hajj, Pilgrimage to Makkah
Islam

A tour of the Jamia Mosque

The Hajj, Pilgrimage to Makkah
Islam

Home | The Parish Church of St James - Hampton Hill | Site Map