Religion and Theology



Religion and Theology

Introduction

In this paper, two traditions of two different religions have been discussed. The monotheistic religion discussed in this paper is Islam. The selected tradition is of the religion Islam is Ramadan. The reason for selection of this particular tradition is its historical significance and prestige. On the other hand, Hinduism is the polytheistic religion selected and discussed in this paper. Diwali is the tradition discussed in this paper. The reason for selection of this particular ritual or tradition is its intense and ever lasting impact on the society.

Discussion

Ramadan

Ramadan is a very important muslin tradition. This month is about fasting from dawn to dusk in the name of God. This tradition started since the existence of Islam. Muslims consider Ramadan as the holy month. The reason why they take a certain month to fast amuses many historians to this day.

According to muslin history, the significance of Ramadan is because the holy book the Quran was reveled on to the Prophet Muhammad. The Quran came into existence in this month. All the prophecies came onto the Prophet Muhammad and the existence of Quran is based on him.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. Muslims all over the world consider this month for fasting. Fasting is a ritual or tradition in Muslims. Ramadan month is of thirty days, in these thirty days al the Muslims are supposed to wake up the before dawn and eat and then not eat until dusk. Their morning time is called fajr and they are supposed to stop eating before the fajr time. On the other hand, their evening time is called Maghrib(when the sun sets) and the eating ritual starts after Maghrib prayers. This ritual of Muslims is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam. Islam is comprised of five pillars and Ramadan is one of them. Fasting is obligatory for all Muslims. Fasting for Muslims also include the offering of prayers. Prayers or Salat is also one of the pillars of Islam.

Islam works on the principle of gunnah (sin) and sawab (reward). A Muslim is not supposed to do sins and is expected to earn as many rewards as possible. For a Muslim this life is not the ultimate life. Islam explains the concept that after this life there will be another life after judgment day. Those of them who have more gunnah than sawab will be placed in hell and the people who have earned more sawab than gunnah will go to heaven. During the month of Ramadan, all of the sawabs are multiplied.

In the duration of fast Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink anything. Sexual activities are also not allowed in the duration of the fast. The idea behind this is to feel the pain of those people who do not have sufficient basic needs for life. These basic needs include food, water and sex. Sex in Islam is only allowed with marital partners, sex with a person you are not married too is ...