The 3 Main Rites of Passage in a Muslim’s Life

521 Words3 Pages
iGCSE ISLAM the 3 Main Rites of Passage in a Muslim’s Life Birth/Naming Ceremony: * As soon as a Muslim baby is born, the father or grandfather whispers the Salah in its right ear so that it is the first thing he or she hears and that Allah is the first thing on the baby’s mind. * A child must be given a name within seven days, the names are usually chosen from the Quran. * Within seven days a ceremony called ‘Aqiqah’ is held, in order to thank Allah. During the celebration, prayers are said and the baby’s head is shaved. The hair is weighed and the family must then give at least the same weight in gold to charity. Shaving the baby’s head removes the harm from him, removes the weak hair so that stronger and firmer hair replaces it. * The baby is given a taste of honey as a symbol of the sweetness of prayer. There is a feast for friends and relatives with one or two goats being killed and one-third of the meat is distributed to the poor as a way of thanks. * If the child is a boy, he will be circumcised usually within two weeks of his birth, although some Muslims leave this until the boy is at least four years old. Circumcision is known in Islam as ‘tahara’, meaning purification. Wedding Ceremony: * In Islam a man may have more than one wife, up to the limit of four wives simultaneously. * Muslims are encouraged to look for a partner based on compatibility through piety, rather than for attractiveness, or wealth, or status. * Muslim marriages are often arranged by the parents. This is because parents are encouraged to do their best to see their offspring in a good position in life. * Although divorce is allowed, Muslims are aware that of all the things God does permit, divorce is said to be the thing he likes least. * It is forbidden in Islam for parents to force or trick youngsters into marriage. * A Muslim

More about The 3 Main Rites of Passage in a Muslim’s Life

Open Document