Islamic Rituals

Birth:

1)      Outline how children are welcomed into the Muslim faith?  

                                

·     The Muslim call to prayer: "God is great; there is no God but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Come to prayer." These are the first words a newborn Muslim baby should hear. They are whispered into the right ear of the child by his or her father.

• The baby's first taste should be something sweet, so parents may chew a piece of date and rub the juice along the baby's gums.

·    After seven days the baby's head is shaved to show that the child is the servant of Allah. Although Hindus may take the baby's hair to India and scatter it in the holy river Ganges, Muslims weigh it and give the equivalent weight in silver to charity.

2)      What is the Aqeeqah?

This is a celebration which involves the slaughter of sheep. Sheep are sacrificed (in Britain the meat is ordered at the butchers) and the meat is distributed to relatives and neighbours and also given to the poor.

Marriage:

1)      Outline the Basic elements of an Islamic wedding ceremony?

In Islam, marriages are not considered to be 'made in heaven' between 'soul-mates' destined for each other; they are not sacraments. They are social contracts which bring rights and obligations to both parties, and can only be successful when these are mutually respected and cherished.