Australian Islamic College – Dianella

By Year 10 Girls

ISLAM

As Salaam U Alaikum

We begin: ‘In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful’.

We praise God and Glorify Him.To all the teachers and students, we greet you

with the Islamic greeting of ‘As Salaam U Alaikum’ which means ‘Peace Be Upon You All’.

We, the students of Australian Islamic College, Dianella Campus, are greatly honored to be here and to present to you a very brief outline of our religion – ISLAM.

What is Islam?

Islam means: “ Total Submission to The Will Of God – One God”.

We are Muslims, our religion is called ISLAM and our Holy Book is called the Quran.

The language of the Quran is written in Arabic, we use the word: “Allah” meaning ONE GOD.

Islam is a religion: of mercyof guidance of rationalityof love and kindnessof knowledge and

wisdomof high moralityof justice

Islam nurtures the soul of man through acts of

worship.

History of islamAdam

Noah

Abraham

David

Moses

Jesus

Mohammad

People of Moses, Jesus and

Mohammad (P.B.U.H) believe in ONE GOD.

= Torah/ Old Testament

= Injeel/ Bible

= Quran

= Zabur/ The Psalms

The five pillars of Islam

There are five pillars that set the foundation of our religion:

1. Shahadah - expressing the profession of faith.

2. Salah – offering the five daily prayers 3. Zakat – paying alms to the poor and needy4. Sawm – fasting during the month of

Ramadan5. Hajj – performing the pilgrimage to Mecca

SHAHADAH(faith)

The first pillar - Shahadah

‘La illaha illallah, Muhammad Rasulullah’ means ‘There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger’

This is a sentence bearing witness to the oneness and unity of God and to the acceptance of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as God’s last messenger.

By uttering these words with acceptance and sincerity, one becomes a Muslim.

SALAH (prayer)

The second pillar - Salah

Salah is the central act of worship for all Muslims and is performed 5 times in a day - before dawn, at midday, late afternoon, after sunset and in the late evening.

Prayer is a time to thank God for His blessings and ask Him for forgiveness, guidance and protection.

Each step in the prayer expresses praise, adoration and submission to God.

ZAKAH (charity)

The third pillar - ZakatMuslims are obliged to pay 2.5% of their

wealth once in a year.

Islam commanded the payment of Zakat, in order to prevent human beings from becoming selfish and greedy over their increasing wealth, and looking down upon the poor people.

The distribution of alms decreases the gap between the rich and the poor, pleases the less fortunate ones and cleanses man from jealousy, pride, arrogance and greed.

SAWM (fasting)

The fourth pillar - Sawm

Fasting takes place in Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic calendar.

The fast begins from dawn until sunset; within this period we don’t eat nor drink anything.

The aim of fasting is to be grateful for all the things that God has blessed us with and feel for the poor people around the world, who suffer from lack of food.

This month develops our courage and resistance in times of hardships and calamities; and we can attain high qualities such as patience, strong will and discipline.

HAJJ (pilgrimage)

The fifth pillar - Hajj

The pilgrimage is the duty of every Muslim to be performed once in a lifetime, providing that they are physically and mentally healthy, and financially stable.

Millions of Muslims, from all around the world, travel to Mecca where they stand in unity and equality before their Lord.

Hajj symbolises the man’s sacrifices of worldly comforts and luxuries.

Islamic ClothingMuslim women dress modestly in loose garments covering their bodies except their face and hands. Their veil is called hijab, which gives them liberation and since women are considered as diamonds in Islam, they ought to cover themselves, just like Mother Mary.

Muslim men wear long dresses known as jubah. In keeping with tradition of all the Prophets of the past – Muslim men dress exactly theway Jesus, Moses, Abraham, Muhammed (P.B.U.T.) dressed.

Important Religious Leaders

The only important leader of Muslims is Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H), who perfected Islam by displaying high morals and values, and by being an exceptional role model with such humility and modesty.

Despite the fact that he was illiterate, he brought the Holy Quran, which till today has never been and will never be changed. The Quran itself is a miracle, for it is the true words of God passed down as a guidance for mankind via Angel Gabriel to the Prophet (P.B.U.H).

The Holy Quran explains the entire universe in immense detail, from the creation of mankind to the laws and regulations in society. The Holy Quran also teaches us about living in harmony and peace with everyone, showing great respect, honesty, love and kindness towards one another.

the story on kindnessOne of the outstanding characteristics of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) was his kindness –

The Prophet had a Jewish neighbour. Everyday the neighbour would throw his garbage at the Prophet’s door! Then, one day, the garbage stopped appearing. The Prophet wondered why and asked people about what had happened to his neighbour. He was told that the neighbour was sick, in bed. So, the Prophet went and visited his Jewish neighbour to make sure he’s ok and to wish him well. The Jewish neighbour was so touched that he later converted to Islam.

Festivals and Celebrations

Eid-ul-Fitr - After 30 days of fasting, Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, which is a day of celebration to signify the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Muslims visit their family and friends, and pay charity to the poor and needy.

Eid-ul-Adha - At the end of the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca), Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) to commemorate the trials and triumphs of the Prophet Abraham.

THANK YOU