Religon class - Book Report/Review Example

The mosque also acts as a place where the members meet after the prayers to discuss social and religious problems. They share feelings and thoughts and also the various actions that have to be taken regarding certain issues in the community. The only interaction between the people in the mosque is of between men and women. Women have separate mosque space where the men cannot go and vice-a-versa. Coming to the inside of a moque, every place is the same and holds equal grounds except for the place where the imam leads the prayer at the time of the prayer.

It is a demarcated place just for the purpose of the imam at the time when he is leading the prayers. There is no such boundary, just a different color of mat is placed and a dice (sometimes) is also present. The space helps to make the followers of Islam concentrate on what the teaching of their Allah and His Prophet (P.B.U.H) are. It is a place where one goes for forgiveness and good deeds so knowing the good deeds is an important matter. Sacred Objects It can actually not be called a thing used in the ritual.

It is the verses that are recited in the prayers. The verses are extracted from that sacred object, a book, called the Holy Quran. It is a divine book which basically defines the code of conduct for Muslims in this world. There are some other books as well which define and teach the sayings and actions of the Holy Prophet. This collection of actions and sayings is a very important book for the Muslims but the Quran holds the most importance as it is the direct word of the divine power. The only God for the Muslims.

The object is used in the sacred space by either reciting verses extracted from it between the prayers or while reciting the Quran itself for spiritual guidance and solving of the issues faced by the person. The Quran can be touched by anyone but some limitations have been kept on it. The Muslim has to be clean and in a state of wuzu (a special way of cleaning yourself). The only person who cannot touch it is one who is not clean in a specified manner. This is evidenced by the sayings in the Quran itself and taught by the spiritual leader also.

When the prayers is going on the verses are recited in all the different phases of it hence the Quran is a very important aspect of the sacred ritual. The proper way of reading the Quran is while sitting and in wuzu (as explained before). Sacred Times The ritual or prayers, takes place five times a day. A special congregation is held on Friday. The timings are not time dependant rather sun timings. The most important of the above is the prayer of Friday afternoon. It has been emphasized by Allah and His Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H). It is on the time of the “zuhr” prayer which is offered at the afternoon time but the only difference is that this special congregation is held on Friday only.

The time is the same as the mid-afternoon prayer and it is known to people that the time has started when the Azaan (call of prayers) is given in the mosque on loud speakers and PA system. The people residing in the surrounding area get to know that the time has begun of the ritual. The ritual ends when the imam finishes the “dua”( separate prayer) to God by saying “Ameen”. The end of the sacred time depends on time of the year, hence a