The Rituals in Islam

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Religious rituals
Birth rituals
Marriage
Divorce rituals
Death rituals
Conclusion
Works cited

Introduction

Rituals are very important aspects of religious practices. Some rituals are performed during certain occasions while others are performed at the convenience of an individual or community. Rituals are performed for various reasons. They could be performed to satisfy spiritual needs, convey respect, show one’s affiliation, for approval or comply with the requirements of religion. Rituals in religion preserve and help it to grow and be relevant to its practitioners. A religion without rituals is meaningless because it becomes characterless. Rituals are combined with faith and thus, become meaningful. Human beings depend on rituals because they have not reached a state where they can do away with rituals and concentrate on abstract symbols of religion. This paper will endeavor to look at some of the rituals in Islam and compare them with rituals from the Greek Orthodox religion.

Religious rituals

There are a number of rituals in Islam. First, there is the religious practice. The practices are not very many, but are very important in the Islamic faith. These are the five pillars of Islam: Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca), zakat (alms), salat (prayer), sawn (fasting during the month of Ramadhan) and shahada (confession of faith).

The pillar of hajj requires a Moslem to undertake a trip to Mecca at least once during their lifetime. Mecca is a sacred town of Islam. The trip is made during the month of Dhu al-Hijja that is the last month in the Islamic calendar. The trip can also be made at nay other time of the year, but to fulfill hajj one must at least go during the month of Dhu al-Hajj. Hajj is only mandatory for those who are financially stable because exemptions are made for those who cannot afford. Those who can afford, but are unable to make the trip can send someone on their behalf (Cornell, 25).

Zakat requires Muslims to give their wealth to the poor and the needy in the society. Every able Muslim is required to give this tax. It serves as an act of worship. Similarly in the Greek Orthodox believers are expected to give part of their wealth to help the poor as doing so brings blessings (Cornell, 17). In addition, Confession is a pillar in Islam and every Muslim is required to proclaim it as it is a prerequisite for admission into the Muslim community (Cornell, 3).

In the Greek Orthodox they believe that God comes to them through sacraments. The sacraments are: baptism, confession, ordination, chrismation, marriage, holy Eucharist and holy unction. For one to join the orthodox family one must receive the sacraments of chrismation or confirmation and baptism just like Islam one must confess (Greek Orthodoxy, 1).

Birth rituals

Birth means a great deal to the two faiths. In the Muslim faith families are encouraged to have many children so that the followers of Islam can be many. This could explain the large families that Muslims have. On the other hand, they are not restricted to use birth control as long both spouses agree. Life of a child is sacred in this faith and abortion is not allowed unless the life of the mother is in danger. After birth a mother must purified, as she is considered unclean.

In the Greek Orthodoxy life is considered sacred just like in Islam. Similarly, putting limitations to childbirth is discouraged because giving birth is considered a gift from God. Life is believed to begin at conception and therefore, abortion is prohibited just like in Islam. However, in case the life of the mother is in danger abortion may be allowed though it is still counted as a sin. Immediately after birth a baby is baptized because baptism is believed to be a gate way to heaven just in case the child fails to live for long due to unexpected events. Furthermore, prayers are offered for the child during the first, eighth as well as the fortieth day. A new mother must be purified so as to receive the Holy Communion (Greek orthodoxy, Churching mother, para 1).

Marriage

Marriage is important in both religions. In the Islamic faith it is seen as a way of life and thus it is an expected norm. Marriage in Islam is governed by many laws and polygamy is allowed. A Muslim man can take up to four wives as long as he is able to provide for them and treat them equally according to the Quran “And if ye are apprehensive that ye shall not deal fairly with orphans, then, of other women who seem good in your eyes, one, two, or three, or four; and if ye still fear that ye shall not act equitably, then one only” (Sura 4:3). The men in Islam are allowed to marry women from the Christian faith or Jews as they also received revelation from God. On the contrary, Muslim women cannot marry non-Muslim men because they would not bring up their children in the Islamic faith. This is because they would follow the faith of their husbands, but a Muslim man who marries a non-Muslim can bring up the children under the Islamic teachings as his wife would be expected to follow his faith.

The beliefs about marriage differ between Muslims and Greek Orthodox greatly. In the latter faith polygamy is forbidden. Marriage is supposed to be between one woman and one man hence, monogamy is highly encouraged in this religion. Marriage is believed to be holy and it is symbolic of the love that Jesus Christ has for the church (Hopko, 1). Despite this major difference the two faiths are similar in their marriage rituals because there is the regulation of the person one can marry. In the Greek Orthodox marriage is only allowed between orthodox believers and baptized Christians from other denominations. They follow the teaching in 2 Corinthians 6:14 which states: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”

Divorce rituals

The two religions have different views concerning divorce. In the Greek Orthodoxy marriage is believed to be a sacrament. Divorce is not allowed unless there are specific rifts that are irreconcilable. Divorce is allowed in case there is adultery, abandonment, violence or extravagance use of resources by a spouse such that the family is exposed to suffering due to an act like gambling. Nevertheless, divorce is still discouraged. One is allowed to remarry after a divorce but, the number of marriages is limited to two. After this one cannot be allowed to remarry. This stand forms a big contrast with the Islam religion as one can remarry as many times as one would wish.

On the other hand, divorce is allowed in Islam and thus it is similar to the Greek Orthodoxy. However, to the Muslims marriage is seen as a contract and therefore, just like in a contract the marriage can be annulled if the contract is breached. A man can divorce his wife by just saying “I divorce you” three times consequetively. Another similarity worth noting is that in most cases, in both religions men are the ones who seek divorce and get it easily. Women do not have an easy time when seeking a divorce.

Death rituals

Death marks the end of the journey on earth. In the two faiths there is the belief of life after death. Life after death will either be lived in hell or heaven depending on one’s deeds while on earth. In addition, prayers are performed for the departed in the two religions.

In the Muslim faith there is the belief that when one does what pleases Allah it will allow him or her to be admitted into heaven. They believe that if one observes the five pillars of Islam and their good deeds outweigh evil deeds they will get admittance into paradise. Therefore, before a Muslim dies or the minutes before death; the Quran is read to the dying or if able they read it for themselves. After this one is required to repent of their sins, and purify oneself. Furthermore, any Muslim who dies in Allah’s cause secures a spot in heaven automatically. The body is washed ceremonially and wrapped in a white cloth. In the grave the body placed in such a way that the head faces Mecca to signify the sacredness of this holy city in Islam. If possible one is buried on the same day that they die.

On the other hand, in Greek Orthodox a final sacrament is given to the dying person. A priest offers prayers and anoints the sick person with oil. This is done to seek forgiveness for the sins of the dying person so that they are prepared to meet their God. This rite is done according to James 5:14-15 “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church and pray over him and anoint him and with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.” Moreover, physical resurrection is believed in and hence, the body is subjected to a respectful treatment. The faith denounces cremation. Those who commit suicide are not accorded church burial unless they had a psychiatric disorder (Greek Orthodox Death, para 1)

Conclusion

There are similarities and differences between the rituals in the two religions. They give us a deeper insight into the world of the two religions. We are able to know why people in the different religions behave the way they do. The rituals in Islam give us a sneak peak into the minds of the suicide bombers who kill in the name of Allah. Therefore, we know that in Islam there is no security for one’s admittance into heaven except when one dies in contest for Allah. More importantly, the rituals make the religions meaningful as people have a chance to practice what they believe and this brings them closer to their God.

Works cited

Cornell, J. Vincent. Voices of Islam: Voices of Tradition. New York: Greenwood Publishing, 2007.

“Greek Orthodox Church.” Kimisis Tis Theotokou. 2009

Hopko, Thomas. “Worship: An Elementary Handbook on the Orthodox Church.” (Orthodox Christian Publication Center) Kimisis Tis Theotokou.2009. Web.

The Holy Bible New International Version, Luke 6:43-44. Bible Gateway.com.

The Holy Bible New International Version, Luke 6:43-44. Bible Gateway.com. 2009.

The Koran. Sura 4:3. Translated by John Medows Rodwell. (New York: Bantam Dell, A Division of Random House, Inc., 2004

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