The meaning of faith in Allah lies in our complete conviction that there is nothing worthy of worship except one God - Allah. Knowledge about Allah is the most important of the mandatory knowledge for every person, because, as the greatest Islamic scholar Imam Al-Ghazaliy said, “worship will not be accepted by Allah until a person knows the One who should be worshiped - the only God worthy of worship "
Our knowledge of the Almighty is limited to the knowledge of some of His Eternal Syphat (Attributes), which He Himself commanded His servants to know. Allah has perfect and majestic Syfat, in which there are no shortcomings and which are worthy only of Him. No one knows the Essence of Allah except Himself. Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said that “the Lord cannot be grasped by the mind” (narrated by Imam As-Suyuty). Imam Abdul-Ganiy An-Nabulsiy in his book “Rashahatu-l-Aklyam Sharkh Kifayati-l-Ghulyam fi Arkani-l-Islam” wrote the following about Allah: “Our mind knows Him as the One who is above all shortcomings, as the Existing One, having Eternal Syphat without any deficiency. Our knowledge of Allah is limited and includes the recognition of His Existence, and for this we are responsible."
Faith in Allah is unthinkable without faith that He exists. The Qur'an says (14:10):
أَفِي اللَّهِ شَكٌّ
- “Can there be any doubt about the existence of Allah?!”, that is, there is no doubt about His existence. The fact that God exists is an obvious truth, since any sane person, if he thinks, for example, about the fact that he did not choose his date and place of birth, parents, his gender and appearance, will inevitably come to the conclusion that there is One Who gave him all this - the Almighty Creator.
Allah is the only God, there is no other deity except Him, and He has no partner. The Qur'an says (2:163):
History of Muhammad
Muhammad , from the point of view of his personal history, is a child of the times. In his youth he was a poor and illiterate caravan driver. In addition, the young man suffered from the “disease of the prophets” - he was subject to seizures reminiscent of epileptic ones. However, at the age of 25, the young man attracted the attention of a wealthy forty-year-old widow, Khadija. By becoming her husband, Muhammad gained wealth. This is a typical example of a “case” implementation. However, Khadija and Muhammad seemed to be happy.
But if another, without worrying about anything, had lived as long as he was allotted as a rich merchant, then Muhammad, having had the opportunity not to worry about daily food, could rise to the level of an excellent administrator who united the scattered tribes of the Arabs and, most importantly, the creator of a new religion, which will soon become global.
The potential of the new faith was so colossal that just a hundred years after the first sermon of the prophet, Islam spread across the vast territory of the new empire. And if it is true that the Muslim religion was brought to other countries at the points of the sabers of the Arab conquerors, then the very unity of the nomads, which turned into a battering ram that destroyed Persia and almost destroyed Byzantium, is the merit of Islam.
اللَّهُ مُوسَى تَكْلِيمًا
- “and Allah spoke with Moses (Musa),” that is, by removing the barrier from the hearing of the Prophet Musa, Allah granted him to hear His eternal Speech. The Holy Qur'an, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon Him, is an expression of the eternal Syfat of Allah "Speech", but not by this Syfat himself, since the words of the text of the Qur'an revealed in Arabic were created, and the Speech of Allah is not similar to the speech of His creatures . About this, Imam Abu Hanifa wrote the following in his book “Fiqul-Akbar”: “The Qur'an is the Speech of Allah, written on scrolls, preserved in our hearts, pronounced by us and sent down to our Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Our reading of the text of the Qur'an was created, and the written text of the Qur'an was also created, but the Qur'an itself (in this case, we mean the Attribute of Allah “Speech”) was not created.”
Allah exists by Himself, He does not depend on anyone or anything and does not need any of His creations, and everything in this world needs Him. The Qur'an says this (3:97):
Chapter 3. Islam
the “five pillars of Islam” according to the number of instructions it contains.
:
1. Tawhid
(Arabic tawḥīd from the verb wāḥada “to consider something unique, unique”)
Confession of faith in One God. Just as the first doctrine of Islam prescribes faith in One God, the first pillar of Islam indicates the need for its constant, including demonstrative, confession. That is why with the recitation of the Shahada
This is a key moment when a person converts to Islam. This occurs in the process of conscious, voluntary pronouncement of a doctrinal formula, performed after ritual ablution, as a rule, in the presence of Muslim witnesses. For men, circumcision is also considered commendable175, but it is not always considered as a mandatory norm.
Strict observance of monotheism, its declaration not only in words, but also in actions, is the main Islamic virtue.
And on the contrary, deviation from monotheism, in whatever form it may occur, constitutes the main content of religious crimes, sins - shirk
(Arabic
širk
– lit. “equalization”).
To the sins that constitute shirk
, include, in particular, disbelief in God, worshiping anything other than Allah, hypocritical fulfillment of religious norms, swearing by something other than Allah (compare with Jewish and Christian practice).
There are two types of shirk
:
– big
, the commission of which cuts off a person from unity with the Islamic community, making him a non-Muslim. The one who commits great shirk becomes an infidel, that is, doomed to eternal destruction. Legally, such a person is an outcast, whose death and property damage are not punishable. Examples of major shirk: open disbelief; mocking Allah, the Koran or the prophet; witchcraft that requires a retreat from Islam and surrendering oneself to the will of the devils or jinn, etc.
– small
, which does not remove a Muslim from the community and does not deprive him of reward for righteous deeds. Such sins include spiritual doubts, “pharisaical” ostentatious piety, deception of a Muslim, armed confrontation of Muslims with each other, etc.
Jihad as a form of tawhid
A special Muslim religious practice – jihad
(Arabic:
ǧihād
– lit. “effort”), the full name of which is “al-jihad fi sabil Allah” (Arabic:
al-jihad sabil Allah
– lit. “struggle in the path of Allah”).
In essence, jihad
is the establishment of monotheism and the eradication of everything that opposes it. Depending on the field in which this “effort” is applied, one speaks of “great,” or internal, jihad, or “small,” or external, jihad. The great jihad involves a person's struggle with his own sinful tendencies. Small jihad implies armed defense and spread of Islam in the human community.
If the term "jihad" does not contain further definition, it means that it is a holy war
.
Synonyms for this concept in Islam are the terms ghazavat
(plural from Arabic ḡ
azwa
- “raid”) and
fatah
(from Arabic
fata
ḥ
a
- “to open”, “to conquer”). It is this understanding of jihad that has taken root in European consciousness.
2. Namaz
(Persian namāz “prayer”),
or Salat
(Arabic ṣalāt “prayer, blessing”)
Namaz is a mandatory ritual prayer rule for every Muslim. All adult Muslims must perform namaz, with the exception of seriously ill people, pregnant women and soldiers in combat conditions. However, even then it is necessary to participate in prayer at least mentally. It is always performed in Arabic, regardless of the degree of proficiency of the person praying.
Before starting, a ritual small ablution (wudu)
, consisting of rinsing and rubbing hands with water, rinsing the mouth, washing the face, head, and feet.
All this is accompanied by special formulas being pronounced aloud, after which the person is considered ritually clean and can begin to pray. In the absence of water (for example, in desert conditions), an imitation of ablution can be performed with sand or even dust - such ablution has a special name - tayammum
.
In addition, there is great ablution (ghusl)
, consisting of three complete ablutions of all parts of the body without exception.
It must be performed during acts of repentance (tawba)
, on the eve of special days (fasts, holidays), as well as in cases of special defilement, for example, after physiological discharge, touching something unclean (wine, pork, blood, pus, feces, etc.). ). Taking into account the above enumerations, it is quite obvious that ritual purity is in no way possible to achieve with physiological outflows of any kind.
The use of a special rug on which a Muslim kneels during prayer is intended to help maintain ritual purity. The act of removing shoes when entering a mosque or stepping onto a prayer mat is also a sign of religious respect and reverence.
In the Sunni tradition, prayer is performed five times a day at strictly established times, coordinated with the movement of the heavenly bodies. In the Shia tradition, namaz is performed three times, since lunch and afternoon prayers are combined, as well as evening and post-evening prayers.
The time of the beginning of prayer is announced by special exclamations called adhan176
and ascended by special servants -
muezzins
from
minarets
(from Arabic
manāra
- lit. "lighthouse") - towers located next to buildings for prayer meetings -
mosques
.
In mosques, public prayers are especially solemnly performed on the holy day for Muslims - Friday.
, as well as on holidays (see below). It is considered commendable to come to prayer at the mosque for each of the five daily prayers. However, in practice it is not always possible to observe this, therefore it is considered permissible to perform namaz in the place where the believer was caught at the appropriate time.
When praying in a mosque, its ritual is synchronized among all participants in the ritual thanks to the rhythm set by the movements of the leader - the imam
(Arabic
imām
– lit. “standing in front”). In a formal sense, an imam is not a representative of the priesthood/priesthood, which simply does not exist in Islam. In sacramental terms, all members of the community are equal. The imam is precisely the “primate,” that is, standing in front of everyone during prayer.
As a rule, this role is performed by the most respected and educated man in matters of faith in the community ( jamaat
).
However, in large, so-called cathedral mosques, there are also “full-time” imams who have the necessary religious education and qualifications. In Russian Islam, representatives of the Islamic clergy are also called mullahs
(from Arabic
mawlā
- literally “lord”). In imperial Russia, mullahs were appointed by a special state decree and assigned to a specific mosque, and therefore were actually equal in status to representatives of the Orthodox priesthood.
The imam has the right of teaching, in accordance with which he delivers a sermon (khutbah)
during solemn holidays, including Friday prayers.
For this purpose, a special structure is used in the form of a pulpit with a ladder - a minbar
.
There is a strictly defined direction of prayer activities, corresponding to the geographical location of Mecca. This direction is called qibla
(Arabic
qiblah
– literally “that which is opposite”)177.
In the architecture of mosques, it is indicated by a special niche built in the wall of the temple (mihrab)
. On two sides of the mihrab there are usually inscriptions made in Arabic script: “Allah” and “Muhammad”.
The main content of all actions and words of prayer in all its variants is a demonstration of submission to God and others before the will of the Almighty. The prayer algorithm, which had existed until then within the framework of everyday practice, was recorded in writing in the 8th century by the works of Muhammad al-Shaybani and, in basic terms, looks like this.
Standing on the mat facing Mecca, the person praying, holding his arms down along his body:
1) pronounces (possibly mentally) niyat
- formula of intention. In this case, perform namaz;
2) then raises his hands, palms forward, to the level of his face and says the phrase “Allahu akbar” (“Allah is great”);
3) taking the left palm with the right palm, presses it to the chest and reads a passage from the Koran, most often the first sura “Fatiha”;
4) makes a bow from the waist, rests his palms on his knees, and again pronounces the formula of praising Allah;
5) straightens up and says the phrase: “May Allah hear the one who praised Him”;
6) kneels down, makes a prostration, upon completion of which he sits on his heels and repeats “Allahu Akbar”;
7) bows to the ground again, gives praise to Allah and rises to his feet, holding his lowered hands one in the other.
This sequence of actions is called rakat
.
Each of the daily prayers includes several rak'ahs, repeated sequentially. In particular, in the Sunni tradition, the number of rakats at daily prayers is different: at dawn prayer - two, at midday - four, at pre-evening - four, at sunset - three, at night - four.
A lighter version of prayer is also possible, acceptable for patients, in which full bows are replaced by bowing the head.
There are some daily periods when prayer is prohibited: directly at sunrise and sunset, as well as at the moment when the sun is at its zenith.
In Islam, there is a practice of addressing God in the native language of the person praying, outlining his needs, which often constitutes an addition to the norms of prayer.
3. Zakat
(from Arabic letters “purification”)
Alms paid by Muslims in the form of an annual tax on certain categories of property. The purpose of these fees is to support low-income fellow believers.
Islamic theologians who interpret this term often establish connections between the first meaning of the word - “purification, purity” - and the payment of alms, interpreting it in the sense that after paying the fees, the property from which it was paid becomes ritually pure. In terms of origin, the word is most likely a loanword from Hebrew, where "zakut"
denotes any virtue in general.
Property subject to this tax: – sown areas; – vineyards and date trees; – livestock;
- gold and silver; - goods. Amount of duty: 1/40 of the value of the property, which is paid at the end of the calendar year in a lump sum. An exception is made for agricultural taxation objects: they are charged 1/10 of the harvest immediately after harvesting the fruits. However, there is a taxable minimum.
The collected funds are managed by a specially authorized person, as a rule, an expert in Muslim law (Sharia) and a judge of fellow believers - a qadi
. At the same time, there are rules for the use of money received after collecting duties: they must be spent in the region where they were collected, with the exception of cases where the funds are sent to war against infidels (see “Jihad”).
4. Uraza
(Turkic from Persian Rozah), or
Saum
(Arabic ṣawm - “fast”)
Fasting for 30 days of the lunar month of Ramadan178.
Since the lunar months are not equal in length to the months of the Gregorian calendar, the fasting period shifts by 11–12 days every year.
The calendar fixation of fasting specifically in Ramadan is associated with the idea that it was in this month that the Koran was revealed.
This is directly stated in its text itself and contains an indication of the need for fasting:
“Whoever of you finds the month of Ramadan, in which the Quran was revealed - a true guide for people, an explanation of the straight path and a distinction [between truth and falsehood] - let him spend it fasting.”
(Quran 2:185)
Muslim fasting requires complete abstinence from food and drink during daylight hours179. This is clearly stated in the Koran:
“Eat and drink until it is impossible to distinguish a white thread from a black thread, until dawn, then fast again until nightfall.”
(Quran 2:187)
In addition, inhalation of smoke (for example, hookah or tobacco), sexual intercourse, taking medications (with the exception of those administered by injection, but only if they do not contain nutrients), and inducing vomiting are prohibited. All of the above restrictions, along with food restrictions, lose relevance in the dark. Violation of the fast in any way (even if it is impossible to observe it) requires compensation at a later time:
“And if any of you is sick or on a journey, then you should fast the same number of days [as missed] at another time.”
(Quran 2:184)
Along with the seriously ill and travelers mentioned in the previous quote, nursing mothers, pregnant women, as well as women undergoing a menstrual period or postpartum bleeding are allowed to interrupt the fast (with the intention of then making up for it).
In cases where a person’s condition is such that there is no hope of making up for the missed days of fasting (for example, in extreme old age or a serious, progressive illness), the following prescription is given:
“Those who are able to fast [but miss it due to incurable illness or old age] should feed the poor to make up for the missed fast.”
(Quran 2:184)
There is also the practice of Muslims meeting daily during Ramadan to pray and read the Qur'an together. For this purpose, the Koran is divided into 30 parts so that it can be read in full before the end of the fast. Also during this period, special zeal in acts of mercy, in particular helping those in need of food, is considered commendable.
The end of fasting is marked in the Islamic calendar with a special holiday of breaking the fast - Eid al-Fitr.
(Turkic:
Eid al-Fitr
). This holiday begins on the first day of the month following Ramadan - Shawwal - and lasts 3-4 days depending on the region. On the first day, a special common prayer is performed, then there are hearty meals to which Muslims invite each other. Alms are distributed to the poor, gifts are given to relatives, friends and acquaintances, and the graves of loved ones are often visited.
5. Hajj
(from Arabic letters: “return”, “resumption”, “aspiration”, “intention”)
The pilgrimage to Mecca was established by the founder of Islam at the end of his life as a normative act180. At the same time, Muslims themselves admit that the worship of their shrines has pre-Islamic roots and dates back to pre-Islamic times: “These rituals were well known before Islam and played an important role in the economic and religious life of the Arabians”181.
Every Muslim is required to perform Hajj at least once in his life. However, due to economic, political, social, personal and other reasons, not everyone is able to perform the Hajj. Such people are exempt from the obligation of Hajj. There is a practice of replacing the pilgrim with another person. Anyone who is unable to personally participate in the worship of the shrines of Mecca (for example, due to poor health) can send in his place a deputy who has previously visited the shrines of Islam.
The Hajj ritual takes place in the twelfth month (Dhul-Hijjah) of the Muslim calendar. Pilgrims arrive in Mecca on the 7th and begin a special rite of ritual purification, introducing them to the state of ihram
(Arabic
iḥrām
– “dedication”; from the root
ḥ-rm
– “sacred”, “forbidden”, “reserved”; that is, entry into some sacred space, communion with a shrine).
To do this, ablution is performed in specially designated places (miqats), hair and nails are cut, and if possible, the body is anointed with incense. Then the pilgrims put on special clothes, consisting of two pieces of white material, and out loud express their intention to worship the shrines, after which the state of ihram
. From this moment until the end of the ritual, it is forbidden to wear ordinary clothes, cover the head with anything (this does not apply to women), it is necessary to maintain sexual abstinence, avoid the use of incense, it is unacceptable to cut hair and nails, hunt and break off branches from plants.
Next, pilgrims head to the Kaaba. According to Muslims, it is the first sanctuary of the One God, built by Adam and subsequently restored by Ibrahim (Abraham), and after Muhammad it became the main shrine of Islam.
Nowadays, the Kaaba is located in the middle of a huge complex of buildings, collectively called the Forbidden (Sacred) Mosque. Externally, the Kaaba is a rectangular building 15 m high with a length ratio of the external walls of 10x12. Inside there are three columns, hanging lamps, and copies of the Koran donated to the sanctuary are kept.
A black stone is built into one of the outer corners of the building.
, inserted into a silver frame. According to legend, this stone was given by an angel to Adam after his expulsion from paradise as a symbol of fidelity in the worship of the One God and was initially light (white), but then turned black from human sins.
Here the participants in the action perform umrah182
- a small pilgrimage consisting of walking around the Kaaba seven times, praying two rak'ahs, drinking water from the Zamzam spring and climbing Safa Hill. Next, a prayer is said towards the Kaaba and seven runs are made from the Safa hill to the Marwa hill and back, which marks the throwing of Hajar between these heights.
On the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, pilgrims go to the Mina Valley and stay there all night. At sunrise on the morning of the 9th, they move to the Arafat Valley, located at a distance of 22 km from Mecca.
Here, believers remain throughout the daylight hours near Mount Arafat, calling on Allah, and after sunset they cross the Muzdalifah valley, located 9 km away. Another night passes here. On the morning of 10 Dhul-Hijjah, before sunrise, pilgrims go to the Mina Valley, where they must throw 7 pebbles into a stone pillar (rock) - a symbol of Shaitan.
The next act of the hajj is a sacrifice in memory of the feat of Ibrahim, who expressed his readiness to kill his son Ismail.
After this, pilgrims shave or cut their hair and return to Mecca to make another circuit around the Kaaba and jog between the Safa and Marwah hills.
From this day on, the state of ihram
stops.
However, comes the most grueling part of the pilgrimage, called tashriqa
(from Arabic, “drying, sun-drying slices of meat”). The name itself indicates the peculiarity of this ritual: for three days it is necessary to stay in the Mina Valley, throwing seven pebbles in the afternoon at each of the three pillars, symbolizing the shaitan.
At the end of the designated time, the hajj ritual is considered completed, and the believers return home. The exception is those who did not have time to make a sacrifice on the 10th day of the month. These are given another opportunity at the end of the pilgrimage.
Starting from the 10th day of the month of Dhul-Hijj and over the next three days (when the Hajj ritual ends), one of the most important Muslim holidays takes place - the Feast of Sacrifice
(Arabic:
Eid al-Adha
; Turkic:
Eid al-Fitr
). It is not only pilgrims who must make sacrifices. For every Muslim who has such an opportunity, this is also a mandatory requirement. The sacrifice is made at the rate of one sheep or kid per person. The sacrifice can also be made collectively, in which case a camel or one head of cattle is brought for several people (up to 10). All animals must be of a certain age and free of defects. Before the act of slaughter, special exclamations are read, glorifying Allah and calling on him to pay attention to the person worshiping him.
The victim falls to the ground towards the qibla and is killed. The meat is divided into three parts so that one part is used for a festive family meal, and the rest is distributed to those in need.
On Eid al-Adha, it is also customary to visit each other, visit the graves of ancestors, and give gifts to loved ones.
عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ
“Truly, Allah does not need anyone or anything, and everything that exists was created by Him and needs Him.”
Thus, we talked about the 13 Syfatah of Allah, which are mentioned many times in the Qur'an, as well as in the Hadith, since the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, often spoke about it. On this basis, the theologians of Islam concluded that the meaning of these 13 Syfat of Allah should be known to everyone who has reached the age of majority and is of sound mind. Let us once again list these majestic Syfat of the Almighty:
- Existence – الوجود (Al-Wujud);
- Uniqueness – الوحدانيّة (Al-Wahdaniyya);
- Eternity without beginning – القدم (Al-Qidam);
- Infinity – البقاء (Al-Baka');
- Omnipotence – القدرة (Al-Qudra);
- Will – الإرادة (Al-Irada);
- Omniscience – العلم (Al-'Ilm);
- All-hearing – السمع (As-Sam');
- All-vision - البصر (Al-Basar);
- Life – الحياة (Al-Hayat);
- Speech – الكلام (Al-Kalaam);
- Difference from the created ones - المخالفة للحوادث (Al-mukhalafatu lil-hawadis);
- Existence without the need for anyone or anything - (Qiyamuhu binafsi).
The Quran says (7:180):
Abrahamic religions
There are three of them:
- Christianity;
- Islam;
- Judaism.
Let us also recall that Islam is one of the three world religions. In other words, Islam is supranational, although at one time it arose within the Arab world.
World religions
There are three main directions:
- Buddhism;
- Christianity;
- Islam.
The time of the emergence of the Muslim religion can be determined quite accurately. Since this is the youngest religion, quite clearly dated information has been preserved about its founder and stages of spread. As a complete teaching, the Muslim faith arose in 650–660. n. e.
True, there is reason to believe that certain provisions of the future world religion began to appear in Arab society much earlier.
اسْمًا مِائَةً إلاَّ وَاحِدًا مَنْ أح ْصَاهَا دَخَلَ الجَنَّةَ
– “Allah has 99 Names – a hundred minus one; whoever knows Them (another transmission says “learns”) will enter Paradise.” Without exception, all the Names of Allah the Almighty indicate His greatness, and They were transmitted by revelation to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon Him. For example, “Al-Qadir” is the Almighty, “Al-'Alim” is the All-Knowing, “Al-Khalik” is the Creator, Who gave existence to everything created after non-existence, “Al-Malik” is the One Who has absolute Power, “Ar -Razik" - giving His slaves ryzk (means of subsistence, children, etc., regardless of whether it was obtained in a way permitted by religion or not), "Al-Quddus" - pure from all shortcomings (such as, as need, location or direction). “As-Salam” - without a single flaw. “Al-Mumin” – giving what was promised to His servants. “Al-Muhaymin” - Sees and Knows everything that happens among His slaves (words, actions, beliefs). All the Names of Allah are perfect, not one of them contains anything that is unworthy of God.
Geography
Arabia can be divided geographically into three parts.
The first is the coastline along the Red Sea - a rocky area with a huge number of underground springs, near each of which there is an oasis and, accordingly, the preconditions for the emergence of a city are created. There were date palms and grass that could be used to feed livestock, people lived quite poorly, but they figured out ways to earn extra money. The caravan routes from Byzantium to India always lay through rocky Arabia, and locals were hired as caravan drivers and also created caravanserais where dates and fresh water were sold at high prices. Merchants had nowhere to go, and they purchased goods.
The second and largest part of Arabia is a desert with growing bushes separated from each other by dry land. In essence, this land is a steppe, surrounded on three sides by seas. It rains here and the air is humid.
The third, southern part of the peninsula was called Happy Arabia in ancient times. Today it is the territory of Yemen, rich in tropical vegetation. The local population once grew mocha here - coffee considered the best in the world, then it was brought to Brazil. There it, unfortunately, became worse in quality. The people who inhabited this territory were happy, but the whole picture was spoiled by their neighbors - the Abyssinian-Ethiopians and Persians. They constantly fought among themselves, while the Arabs tried to remain neutral and live peacefully, watching how they destroy each other.
Among the Christians who inhabited Arabia were Orthodox and Nestorians, Jacobites and Monophysites, as well as Sabellians. At the same time, everyone lived peacefully, there were no disagreements based on religion. People lived and earned their living; they had no time to be distracted by anything else.
Sunnism
Sunnism is the main branch of Islam. Sunnis consider the first three caliphs - Abu Bakr, Omar and Osman - to be the legitimate successors of Mohammed and recognize numerous traditions (sunnas) about Mohammed.
Since the 8th century, five legal schools have emerged in Sunnism, which also determined the religious branches of Sunnism: 1) Zahiri
school (founder ibn Ali al-Asfahani).
The school subsequently disappeared. 2) Maliki
school (founder Malik ibn Anas).
3) Hanbali
school (founder Ahmad ibn Hanbal), to which Wahhabis and Salafis belong (Gamaat al-Ikhwan al-Muslimin and the Society of Muslim Brothers).
4) Hanafi
school (founder Abu Hanif).
5) Shafi
school (founder Al-Shafi).
In addition, sensusists
.
In the X - XII centuries. Sunnism became closer to moderate Sufism, which, being adapted to official Islam, significantly expanded the scope of Sunnism, introducing emotional and sensual components into it. The number of Sunnis at the end of the 20th century was 800 million people.
Hanbali school
Wahhabism
Radical religious and political movement in Sunni Islam of the Hanbali persuasion. Appeared at the end of the 18th century. The name is derived from the name of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, who preached a puritanical sermon among the Bedouin tribes in Najd. Based on Salafist
about a return to original Islam.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the Wahhabis, under the leadership of the Saudis, formed an independent state in Najd, whose influence spread to most of the Arabian Peninsula. In 1818, as a result of the campaigns of the Egyptian troops, the Wahhabi state was liquidated. For a long time, the Wahhabis were under the rule of the Rashidids, vassals of Turkey. In 1902, Emir Abd al-Aziz ibn Saud captured Riyadh. In 1924-1925 the Wahhabis conquered the Hejaz and in 1927 formed the Wahhabi state (modern Saudi Arabia). At the beginning of the 19th century. Wahhabis became widespread in Sumatra and in 1821 initiated an uprising against the Dutch colonialists. From 1824 to 1864 In India, Wahhabis led an active struggle against British colonialism.
Wahhabis preach the restoration of the purity of original Islam and monotheism. Wahhabis reject the cult of prophets, saints, pilgrimages to holy places, deny superstition [i.e., absolute monotheism], and demand that Muslims lead an ascetic lifestyle. In the socio-political sphere, Wahhabis preach social harmony, brotherhood and unity of all Muslims, calling for strict adherence to the moral and ethical principles of Islam, condemning luxury and money-grubbing. An important place in Wahhabism is occupied by the idea of a holy war (jihad) against polytheists and Muslims who deviated from the principles of early Islam [but why is this? would enjoy their righteousness and future paradise].
Wahhabis are predominantly widespread in Saudi Arabia and other countries of the Arabian Peninsula, and to a much lesser extent in India, Indonesia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and North Africa.
Five Pillars of Faith
When Islam appeared in the world, every Muslim had five main responsibilities, the so-called “arkan”. The first pillar (symbol of faith) is the Shahada. The second is “salat” - worship, which must be done five times a day. The third obligation is associated with the holy month of Ramadan - the period when a believer strictly observes fasting and abstinence from sunrise to sunset (does not eat, does not drink, does not allow himself any entertainment). The fourth “pillar” is the payment of tax (“zakat”), with which the rich are obliged to help the poor. The fifth is the obligatory hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca, which every respectable Muslim is obliged to perform at least once in his life.
Teaching
After his death, the Prophet Muhammad left people the word of God - the teachings set forth in the Koran. He himself was an example of how to behave and who to imitate; his actions and behavior, which were observed and well remembered by his companions, were the standard of life for a true Muslim. “Traditions about words and actions” (the so-called hadiths) form the Sunnah - a kind of collection on which, as well as the Koran, the law of Islam - Sharia - is based. The religion of Islam is very simple, there are no sacraments, and monasticism is not provided for. Following the dogmas, a Muslim understands what he needs to believe in, and Sharia determines the norms of behavior: what is possible and what is not.
Organization of Islamic Cooperation
In 1969, at a conference of heads of Islamic states, the international “Organization of the Islamic Conference” (OIC) was founded, the purpose of which was the consolidation of Muslim countries in the economic, cultural, social and political sphere. The OIC, renamed in 2011 to the OIC - “Organization of Islamic Cooperation”, includes 57 Islamic countries:
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
- Malaysia
- Türkiye
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Nigeria
- Algeria
- Kuwait
- Bangladesh
- Libya
- Kazakhstan
- Qatar
- Egypt
- Oman
- Iraq
- Pakistan
- Bahrain
- Tunisia
- Morocco
- Sudan
- Ivory Coast
- Yemen
- Syria
- Azerbaijan
- Gabon
- Uzbekistan
- Turkmenistan
- Brunei
- Jordan
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Lebanon
- Mozambique
- Senegal
- Tajikistan
- Suriname
- Benin
- Mauritania
- Uganda
- Togo
- Kyrgyzstan
- Albania
- Guinea
- Guyana
- Afghanistan
- Burkina Faso
- Mali
- Djibouti
- Somalia
- Niger
- Sierra Leone
- Gambia
- Maldives
- Guinea-Bissau
- Comoros
- Palestine
The benefits of fasting in Ramadan, tips and rules of observance.
The meaning of fasting is complete abstinence from everything that distracts the believer from piety, in maintaining spiritual and bodily purity. When the sun sets, the prohibitions are lifted, but one cannot indulge in excesses. It is advisable to spend time in prayer, perform charitable deeds, and give alms.
The fourth duty is the payment of a special tax (zakat) in favor of those in need. Zakat is perceived as a cleansing ritual for the wealthy (a few percent of annual income).
Preacher
Muhammad became a prophet fifteen years later. He proclaimed this in Mecca and declared that his calling was to correct all the vices and sins of this world. At the same time, he reminded people that other prophets appeared to the world before him, starting with Adam and Noah, Solomon and David and ending with Jesus Christ. According to Muhammad, people have forgotten all the right words they spoke. The only God - Allah - sent him, Muhammad, to the people to enlighten all the people of the world who had lost their way from the true path.
At first, only six accepted the new religion preached by a man. Other residents of Mecca waved away the newly minted teacher. Thanks to his gift of persuasion and abilities, Muhammad gradually rallied around himself dozens of like-minded people of different classes and material wealth with great willpower and courageous characters. Among them were the brave Ali, the good-natured Usman and the fair Umar, as well as the unyielding and even cruel Abu Bakr.
Sincerely believing in the new teaching, they supported their prophet, who preached tirelessly. This caused great discontent among the population of Mecca, and they simply decided to destroy it. Muhammad fled to the city of Medina. Here everyone lived according to their nationality in established communities: Abyssinian and Jewish, Negro and Persian. Muhammad and his disciples formed a new community - a Muslim one, which began to preach Islam.
It must be said that the community became very popular in the city, since, according to the assurances of its participants, a Muslim who joined its ranks ceased to be a slave and could not be one at all. Anyone who said “La ilaha ila Allah, Muhammadun rasul Allah” (“There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger”) immediately became free. It was a wise move.
Bedouins and blacks - those who were previously oppressed - were drawn into the community. They believed in the truth of Islam and began to encourage others to join the community and accept the new faith. They, who joined again, were called Ansars.
After some time, the community of Muhammad acquired the status of the strongest and most numerous, and began to restore order, dealing with the pagans, killing them. Christians did not stand aside; they were also either killed or converted to Islam by force. They destroyed the Jews. Those who could fled to Syria.
The inspired Muslim army went to Mecca, but was defeated. The followers of Islam forced the Bedouins to accept their faith, the forces of the supporters of Allah increased, the army captured the Arabian region of Hadhramaut - the fertile lands of the southern coast - establishing Islam there. Then they moved again to Mecca.
The residents of Mecca suggested that the commander-in-chief not conflict, but resolve everything peacefully, recognizing the gods Zukhra and Lata along with Allah, and make peace. But the proposal was not accepted, since Allah is one, there are no other gods. The townspeople agreed with this sura (prophecy).
Sharia - are the laws the same?
When Islam appeared as a religion, every Muslim who believed had to agree to a lifestyle dictated by Sharia law. The word “Sharia” comes from the Arabic “Sharia”, which translated meant “the right path” and was a list of rules of conduct determined by Muslim authorities. The written form of Sharia - books, as well as the oral form in the form of sermons - are obligatory. These laws concern all aspects of life - legal, everyday and moral.
Islam emerged in a century when people needed freedom and a clear understanding of who God is. Since this religion proclaimed each of its Muslim followers to be a free person and implemented the principle of monotheism, many people joined its ranks. Different peoples, different languages, different mentalities... The Koran and Sunnah, on which Islam is based, had to be interpreted, and these interpretations differed. Muslims at all times, having one Koran and one Sunnah, could follow many Sharias, which had something in common, but there were also differences. Thus, when Islam appeared, Sharia law did not proclaim the same rules of behavior in different countries. In addition, at different times in the same country, different norms could be proclaimed through Sharia. That's right - times are different, and the laws of life can change over time.
An example is Afghanistan. Under Sharia law in the 80s of the 20th century, women did not have to cover their faces with veils, and there was no need for men to grow beards. Ten years later, in the 90s, the Sharia of the same country began to strictly prohibit women from appearing in public places with bare faces, and men were required to wear a beard. The presence of different requirements in the Sharia of different countries leads to disputes, and it is no longer so important for people how and where Islam came from; here the question of who professes the true religion already arises. Hence the wars.
Jihad
A true Muslim has another important obligation - the fight for faith - “jihad” (translated as “effort”, “effort”). There are four varieties of it.
- Islam appeared in the sixth century. And religious preachers have always propagated jihad of the sword. In other words, an armed struggle against the infidels. This is a process when the country in which Muslims live participates in any military action against the infidels, declaring jihad against them. For example, Iran and Iraq have been at war since 1980. Both Muslim countries with a predominance of Shiites (Iran had more of them) believed that the Muslims of the neighboring country were “infidels,” and mutual jihad led to an eight-year war.
- Jihad of the hand. These are disciplinary measures against criminals and violators of moral standards. It also works in the family: older members can punish younger ones.
- Jihad of language. A believer is obliged to express encouragement to others when they commit actions pleasing to Allah, and vice versa, to condemn for violating the dogmas of Sharia.
- Jihad of the heart is the struggle of everyone with their own vices.
