Muslim Rights Of Passage

Question 1

Why is the birth significant?

Answer 1

• It welcomes the child into the Muslim community
• It welcomes into the Ummah.
• it is important for the parents as they pass on their heritage
• The baby receives blessings from God at the start of its life.

Question 2

What do Muslims believe about marriage?

Answer 2

• The only sort of compatibility that really matters is faith.
• Muhammed permitted marriages between people of vastly different social or financial background.
• It is known that compatibility depends on what the people are like of in their hearts and devotion to Allah than their backgrounds.
• the most important things in a Muslim marriage are shared values and beliefs.
• Muslims from different backgrounds or cultures may share religious attitudes and practice which may bind them close.
• marriage is regarded as a normal duty of every human being and binding the relationship is an essential part of faith.

Question 3

What happens during the marriage ceremony?

Answer 3

• It is a social ceremony rather than a religious one so it can take place anywhere permitted.
• Prayers seeking Allah’s blessing are lead by the imam will be said for the couples and their families.
• The is often little contact between young men and women.
• The selection of a marriage partner is often made by the parents.
• The marriage partner is sometimes a known member of the family, such as a cousin.
• For many couples love is expected to come after the marriage and not before.
• today in some Muslim families some customs are changing a little with regard to marriage partners, but the two people must be suitable for each other in eyes of their parents

Question 4

What happened during birth?

Answer 4

• The birth of Muslims is a great joy
• Muslims believe that Allah has granted the family the blessing of the son or daughter so he should receive their thanks and praise.
• The new baby is welcomed into the community
• virtually no babies are illegitimate
• As soon as the baby is born the father whispers the command to rite and worship in the left ear
• the oldest relative places a tiny piece of sugar, date or honey in the babies mouth, this symbolises shows that the baby is sweet obedient and smart.
• there are then prayers for the baby and family
• seven days after (Aquiquah) the family and friends come over for a feast and the baby is named.
• the babies head is then shaves
• The hair is weighed and the family give the same mass of silver or gold is given to the poor, if he baby is bald a small donation should still be given
• the hair is buried in the garden
• next, two animals are sacrificed for a boy and one for a girl and the meat is shared with visitors and the poor.
• the baby’s name is very important, it is usually the name of from the prophets family. Names declaring excellent moral qualities of slavery to anyone other than Allah are forbidden.
• Parents sometimes drop their own names and become the mother/father of their child
• if the baby is a boy, he may be circumcised, this can be delayed and is sometimes when he is 7-10
• Circumcision is a healthy matter as it avoid discomfort and disease.
• On the child’s fourth birthday the child learns “in the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful.” The child repeats this every day and they are taught how to pray.