MONOTHEISTIC FAITHS

Monotheistic Faiths

Zoroastrianism was considered to be the first monotheistic belief system, with Ahura Mazda as the universal God. Before the rise of more or less strictly monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) that believed in one god to the exclusion of others, nearly all religions had a marked syncretistic character. Syncretism describes the mixing, blending or combining of beliefs, practices, and traditions from one religion to another. However, Syncretism has not been confined to ancient religions and has influenced the monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. (Comfort, 2008)

Figure 1.1: Religions

Islam

Islam was founded by the prophet Muhammad (ca. 570-632 CE), who had a direct revelation from God (Allah). This revelation is written down in the Koran, the holy book of Islam. In 622 (CE), the first year of the Islamic calendar, Muhammad went from Mecca to Medina; this event is called the Hijra, or “walk,” which was the founding act of Islam. Sometime later, Muhammad returned to Mecca with his soldiers and gained a lot of followers and power. Islam regards itself as the greatest religion, which is based on the ultimate revelation given by God to Muhammad. This revelation gave perfection to the Mosaic and Christian revelation. Muhammad, the prophet of God, is the last and the highest of the prophets. (Williams, 2008)

Figure 1.2: Islamic Beliefs

In the Islamic tradition, on each Friday there is a ritual prayer in the mosque. Ritual prayers are among the most important elements of Islam, the so-called Five Pillars of Islam: (1) fasting in the month of Ramadan, (2) the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj), (3) ritual prayers (salat) several times a day, (4) charity (e.g. giving money to the poor), and (5) the profession of faith. Also, the observance of practicing law (sharia), which contains rules for all areas of human life, is central to Islamic teaching. Islam is a religion or belief system of strict discipline and it has gained a lot of influence in the states of both the Near East and the Middle East, as well as in Indonesia and Africa. (Williams, 2008)

The Qur'an is the foundational and most important textual source in Islam, considered the eternal word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. The Qur'an is clear in its command for respect toward one's parents, but it also includes a specific reference to mothers: “We have entrusted man with care of his parents: his mother bore him, sapped and weakened, and his weaning takes two years: so be grateful to Me, and to your parents”. (Williams, 2008)

Islam sees the family as a fundamental unit of society, and motherhood is highly esteemed and considered both woman's primary responsibility and a privilege of womanhood. Sex outside marriage is prohibited for both sexes but is often punished much more harshly for women than for men. In some countries, honor killings, in which a male family member kills a female who is suspected of adultery or otherwise of dishonoring the family, is accepted as a private matter; ...