World Religion

Introduction of the Religion

According to Young (1997), the second-largest religion in the world after Christianity is Islam, with an estimated 1.4 billion supporters called Muslims. The name Islam comes from an Arabic root word meaning peace and submission; therefore, some think of Islam as being a religion of peace, while others think of Islam as being a submission or compliance to the will of God. In either case though, the majority of Muslims believe that one can find peace just by submitting to Allah (the Arabic root word for God). Considered to be one of the Arabic religions, Islam is originated from the tradition of Abraham, the Hebrew Bible patriarch. The most number of Muslims are discovered in Indonesia.

Islam

Ramadan, as Abdul describes it, is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which Muslims fast (do not eat). It occurs from sunrise to sunset for the whole month, in which those who are able, must refrain from evil thoughts and actions, food, drink (counting water), and sexual contact. During this month, Abdul says that Muslims take additional time for family, inner reflection, and spiritual growth. When Ramadan occurs in the summertime, the days of fasting are longer. That can easily make fasting a suffering due to the hot weather and not being able to drink water.

'Eid Al-Fitr is Arabic for Festival of the Breaking of the Fast, a major Islamic festival that marks the end of Ramadan. Abdul says that it occurs the month after Ramadan, the tenth month, which is the first day of Shawwal. He goes further by explaining that it is a time to give in contributions to those in need, along with celebrating among family and friends the closure of a month of blessings and joy. On the day of Eid, Muslims meet in the ...