30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World | www.30-days.net » hajj http://www.30-days.net What Christians should know about Islamic background, history and culture. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:11:00 +0000 en hourly 1 The Five Pillars of the Islamic Faith http://www.30-days.net/islam/basics/beliefs/ http://www.30-days.net/islam/basics/beliefs/#comments Mon, 16 May 2011 14:26:06 +0000 TDI http://www.30-days.net/reveal/beliefs/ Muslims believe in Allah and that he is unique, all powerful, gracious and merciful to all Muslims.
The Islamic faith is lived out according to five “pillars” that must be adhered to if one is to hope for salvation.

The Five Pillars of Islam are:

1. Reciting the two-fold Creed (shahada) (profession of faith) – ‘There is no God but Allah’ and ‘Muhammad is his prophet’ (or ‘Muhammad is the Messenger of God’).

2. Prayer (salat) – At five set-times a day while facing towards the city of Mecca.

3. Alms-giving (sakat) (zakat – means ‘purification’, an act of worship) – Both obligatory and voluntary giving to the poor.

4. Fasting (saum) – Especially during the ‘holy’ month of Ramadan.

5. Pilgrimage (hajj) – At least once in a lifetime – to Mecca, Saudi Arabia if at all possible, known as The Hajj.

Although the Hajj is well known today, it should be noted that the Black Stone was a meteorite to which great religious significance was attached even before Muhammad was born. Muhammad simply adopted the pagan practice. Thus the act of walking around the Ka’aba (“Cube”) seven times, kissing and touching the Black Stone became the “Islamic” pilgrimage of “Hajj” – one of the pillars of Islam today.

No guarantee

While a Muslim may observe each of these pillars there is still no guarantee of salvation. Islam is based on a religion of self-righteousness. Muslims often think about the Day of Judgement where they believe Allah (or an angel) will take a balance and weigh each persons deeds. His hope is that his good deeds will outweigh his bad deeds, but even then Allah’s judgement is based solely on Allah’s will – not on justice.

Another interpretation is that man’s deeds are written in a book and on the Day of Judgement Allah will open the book and the sum of a man’s account will be placed in either his right or left hand. The only sure way to paradise is to die as a martyr during an Islamic Holy War, Jihad.

Muhammad

Muhammad is Islam’s highest prophet, but the Qur’an also speaks often of Jesus, also known as Isa. The Qur’an also refers to Jesus as Kalimat Allah, which means The Word of God. Muslims do not believe in Jesus death on the cross, His resurrection nor in His deity. Although Jesus is the second highest prophet in Islam, the Isa of the Qur’an is only one prophet among 124,000.

Jinn

The belief of angels and evil spirits, also known as Jinn, plays a very prominent part in the lives of most Muslims. Although the Qur’an states that ‘good and evil comes from Allah’, this belief is not founded in orthodox Islam but is a result of pagan religions, particularly from Africa and India, being incorporated in Islam.

The Law

Islam incorporates rules for every aspect of life. Within the Qur’an and the Hadith’s there is instruction for every detail of a Muslim’s daily life. The Shari’a – the sacred law of Islam, applies to all aspects of life, not just religious practices. It describes the Islamic way of life, and prescribes the way for a Muslim to fulfill the commands of God and reach heaven.

Video: Foundations

Foundations from DanStevers.com on Vimeo.

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/islam/basics/beliefs/feed/ 22 Glossary of Islamic Terms http://www.30-days.net/islam/glossaries/glossary-of-islamic-terms/ http://www.30-days.net/islam/glossaries/glossary-of-islamic-terms/#comments Tue, 29 Mar 2011 12:55:36 +0000 TDI http://30-days.net/reveal/glossary-islamic/ PLEASE NOTE :: This Islamic Glossary was compiled from both Shiite and Sunni Muslim branches. It is an interesting reference and gives ideas into culture and thinking, not just the learning of new words. Where two words are repeated, one is from the Shiite glossary, the other the Sunni glossary. The 30-Days Editors

A B C D E F H I J K M N P Q R S T W Z

* Aaron: see Harun
* Adam: The first man and the first prophet of Allah
* Adhan: The call for daily ritual prayers (Salat)
* Akhirah: Belief in life after death

* Ali: Son-in-law and cousin of the prophet Muhammad; the one whom the Shiites follow
* Allah: "Allah" is the Arabic word for "God"; it’s not God’s name – the God of Islam
* Allahu Akbar: "God is the greatest"
* Ayatollah: Means "Sign of God". The highest rank of Shiite clerics
* Ayisha: Muhammad’s second wife; daughter of Abu Bakr (1st caliph)
* Azan: The Muslim call to prayer

B | Top

* Basiji: The mobilized – a group of people who are voluntarily mobilized to go to the frontline of battle
* Behesht: Paradise – a place holding pleasure and joy
* Bismillah: "In the name of God" – it’s used by Muslims to ask for God’s blessing on any action and is found at the start of almost every surah (chapter) of the Holy Qur’an

C | Top

* Caliph: The title of Islamic leaders (successors) after Muhammad’s death

D | Top

* David: see Dawood
* Dawood: a Prophet of Allah mentioned in the Qur’an and the Old Testament.
* Deen (or Din): Religion or the religion and way of life of Islam
* Du’a: Supplication / A personal prayer to Allah, in contrast to the 5 ritual daily prayer rituals. It’s not the same as a wholly spontaneous personal prayer, since particular texts are laid down for various du’as

E | Top

* Eid: Islamic holidays. The four Eids are listed below.
o Eid ul-Adha falls on the tenth day of Dhul Hijjah
o Eid ul-Fitr falls on the 1st day of Shawwal
o Eid-e Ghadeer
o Eid-e Mubahala

F | Top

* Fard: An obligation, something which must be done
* Fatiha: The opening chapter of the Holy Qur’an
* Fatwa: A verdict, especially of a Mujtahid
* Fatwas: "Religious Decrees" Fatwas are given by the highest rank of Muslim clerics and are an interpretation of Islamic law
* Fitrah: The charity due on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, on the night after Ramadhan.
* Five Pillars of Islam: The duties carried out by a Muslim as part of their faith
* Foroo-e-Din: Branches of Islam

H | Top

* Hadith: A saying, action or story of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
* Hajarul Aswad: The Black Stone (see Ka’bah)
* Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca that is one of the 5 pillars of Islam. Compulsory for a Muslim once in a lifetime. This happens in the month of Dhu-Ul-Hijja
* Haram: That which is unlawful in Islam. It is necessary to abstain from the acts which are haram.
* Harun: The brother of Musa (Moses) and Prophet of Allah mentioned in the Qur’an
* Hezbollah: Means "the party of Allah". It is one of the leading political parties in Iran
* Hijab: Islamic clothing worn by women to protect their modesty. How much hijab covers is often a matter for local customs
* Hijra: or Hegira or Hijrah: The migration of Muhammad (pbuh) and his followers from Mecca to Yathrib (now Medina)
* Hira: The cave wherein Prophet Muhammad (S) sat for worshipping Allah

I | Top

* Iftar: The breaking of the fast / Breakfast
* Ihram: The state of ritual purity required for undertaking the Hajj or Umra. The special garments worn in this state are also called Ihram
* Imam: A teacher, or leader of the Muslim worship. Leader in Arabic (the term has another meaning in the Shi’a community – Pontiff)
* Imam: A charismatic leader among Shiite Muslims, who believe that in every generation there is an iman who is an infallible source of spiritual and secular guidance. The line of imans ended in the 9th century, and since then the ayatollahs serve as the collective caretakers of the office until the retun of the expected iman
* Injil: The New Testament
* Iqamah: The announcement of the beginning of prayer
* Isa: The son of Mariam (Mary). He is a prophet of Allah. (Isa means Jesus)
* Ishmael: see Ismaeel
* Islam: The faith of Muslims – it actually means "surrender or submission to Allah"
* Ismaeel: The son of Abraham, Prophet of Allah and the father of the Arabs.

J | Top

* Jesus: see Isa
* Jihad: Muslims use the word Jihad to describe three different kinds of struggle: a believer’s internal struggle to live out the Muslim faith as well as possible; the struggle to build a good Muslim society and the struggle to defend Islam, with force if necessary (Holy War)
* Jihad: A holy war (striving or fighting in the way of Allah) by the order of the Imam
* Jinn: A type of creature having, like humans, free will / The belief of angels and evil spirits
* Jum’ah: Friday

K | Top

* Ka’bah: The cubic house built more than 3000 years ago in Mecca, towards which all Muslims face for their Salat (prayer). It contains the Hajarul Aswad or the Black Stone
* Kaffarah: Alms to be given as penance on different occasions
* Khums: "a fifth", obligatory tax-like charity
* Kifie: An obligatory Islamic rule. If one person performs the act, then it is not required for others to perform. For example, the burial of a deceased Muslim is obligatory on any one person to perform
* Koran: The Islamic holy book (Qur’n or Qur’an)

M | Top

* Madina (Medina): means city, and Medinatu’l Nabi (the city of the Prophet) was the name taken by the citizens of Yathrib, the town to which Muhammed migrated during Hijrah
* Mahdi (Arabic, ‘divinely guided one’) The name given by Sunni Muslims to those who periodically revitalize the Muslim community. Sunnis look forward to a time before the Last Day when a Mahdi will appear and establish a reign of justice on earth. Shiites identify the Mahdi with the expected reappearance of the hidden Iman.
* Mecca (Makkah): Islamic holy city in Mecca province, Saudi Arabia, 64km / 40 miles east of its Red Sea port Jedda. Birthplace of Muhammad and site of the Kaba. Between 1.5 and 2 million pilgrims visit Mecca annually. The city is closed to non-Muslims.
* Minaret: The tower of a Mosque from which the call to prayer is made
* Minbar: The pulpit in a Mosque
* Mihrab: A niche in a Mosque showing the direction of Mecca
* Moses: see Musa
* Mosque (Masjid) : A building (or place) where Muslims worship together
* Muhammad (S.A.W.) is the Last of the Messengers of Allah to mankind
* Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar
* Mullah (Arabic, ‘master’) In Islam, a scholar, teacher or man of religious piety and learning. It is also a title of respect given to those performing duties related to Islamic Lay.
* Muezzin: The official who calls people to prayer
* Musa: a Prophet of Allah mentioned in the Qur’an and the Old Testament
* Muslim: A follower of the Islamic faith

N | Top

* Nafilah: Recommended prayers after or before the daily obligatory Salat
* Naar: The fire of Hell
* Niyya: The declaration of one’s sincere intention to worship (this is usually made silently in one’s mind)
* Noah: see Nuh
* Nuh was a prophet of Allah mentioned in the Qur’and and the Old Testament

P | Top

* pbuh: "Peace be upon him" – used after the name of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to indicate one’s respect (also used after the names of other prophets)
* pbut: "Peace be upon them" – plural of pbuh

Q | Top

* Qiyam: The standing during the Salat for recitation of Suratul Hamd and the second Surah, and the standing after the Ruku’
* Qiyamat: The day of Resurrection
* Quiblah: The direction of Mecca
* Qur’an: The Holy Book of Islam

R | Top

* Rajab: The seventh month of the Islamic calendar
* Ramadan: The month of fasting / the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar
* Ruku: The bow made in salat

S | Top

* S.A.W. stands for Sallal-lahu ‘alayhi wa-alihi wa-sallam in Arabic, and means Blessings and peace of God be with him and his household. It is a prayer which is said after the name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)
* Sadaquah: Voluntary giving to charity, as opposed to the Zakat charity required in Islam
* Salam: A salutation. It is also the last recitation at the end of Salat
* Salat (Salah): The obligatory ritual prayer carried out five times a day
* Salat-ul-Jum’a: Friday prayer at a mosque
* Sawm: Fasting during daylight
* Shaabaan: The eighth month of the Islamic calendar
* Shahadah: The Muslim declaration of faith – "There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God."
* Shaitan: Satan, the enemy of mankind
* Sharia (Shari’a): the sacred law of Islam, applies to all aspects of life, not just religious practices
* Shawwal: The 10th month of the Islamic calendar
* Shi’a (Shiites or Shi’at Ali): Prominent in Iran and Iraq. After the murder of Ali, the son-in-law and nephew of the Prophet Mohammed, his followers continued to support his claim to the Muslim caliphate and became known as Shi’at or Shi’a Ali (‘partisans of Ali’). They believe that Ali and his followers were both temporal rulers and Imans. The most important group is the
‘Twelver’ Shiites, who believe that there were twelve imans – Ali and his descendents – after Muhammed, and that the twelfth did not die, but disappeared, and one day will return to bring justice to the world. The dispute over leadership of the new Islamic world after the prophet’s death in the seventh century led to the biggest schism ever within Islam. Compare to Sunni

* Shi’a: A follower of the twelve Imams (A.S.) (20%)
* Sujud (Sajdah): The prostration position in prayer, with forehead, nose, hands, knees, and toes all touching the ground
* Sufism: The mystical movement in Islam ( follower of it is called a Sufi)
* Sunni (Sunnis): Islamic movement representing ‘orthodoxy’ in Islam. They comprise about 80 per cent of all Muslims. They recognize the first four caliphs as following the right course (rashidun) and base their sunnah (‘path’ of the Prophet Mohammed) upon the Koran and the Hadith or ‘traditions’ of the prophet. They are organized into four legal schools. The other major Islamic group is made up of Shiites
* Sura(h): Any chapter of the 114 in the Holy Qur’an (Koran). It literally means a sign or revelation

T | Top

* Tafseer: A term used for a commentary of any book, specifically the Holy Qur’an
* Tahur: The cave wherein Prophet Muhammad (S) stayed before finally migrating to Madinah
* Takbir: The process of concentrating on prayer to the exclusion of everything else
* Takbirah: Saying "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest)
* Tawaf: Going round the Ka’ba seven times on Hajj or Umra

W | Top

* Wahhabis (Muwahhidun or unitarians): An Islamic movement which derives from Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, a religoius reformer from Uyaina near Riyadh, and Muhammad ibn Saud, the ancestor of the present rulers of Saudi Arabia. The alliance led to the unification in the 18th-c of most of the peninsula under the Saudi banner. The modern reunification of the Kingdom was carried out in 1902-32 by King Abd al-Aziz, known as Ibn Saud. The movement maintains that legal decisions must be based exclusively on the Qur’an and the Sunna
* Wudhu (Wudu): Ritual / spiritual wash of the face and hands before Salat

Z | Top

* Zakat (Zakah): Compulsory donation of a set proportion of one’s savings

Contributions

With contributions from Br. Hasnain Kassamali . Many definitions adapted from

* Articles of Islamic Acts by Ayatullah al-Khui, Islamic Seminary Publications, 1989
* al-Ahkam al-Shar’iyyah (The Islamic Religious Rules) according to Ayatullah Sayyid Abu al-Qasim al-Musawi al-Khu’i (R.A.), by Sayyid Muhammad Taqi Jalali. Trans. Miyaniji Musabji. The Islamic Community, 1986.
* Resalah (Epistle) Concise Commandments of Islam, According to the verdicts of Hadhrat Ayatullah Uzma Sayyid Muhammad Redha Musavi Gulpaygani (R.A.). A Translation of Mokhtasarol Ahkam. Dar al-Quran al-Karim, 1992.
* Kitab al-Irshad. The Book of Guidance. Shaykh al-Mufid. Trans. I.K.A. Howard. Muhammadi Trust.
* Know Your Islam. Muhammadi Trust. Compiled by Yousuf N. Lalljee, 1976.
* Manaseke Haj, according to the verdicts of Ayatullah Gulpaygani. 1993, published by Islamic Universal Association, 20 Penzance Place, Holland Park, London, W11 4PG
* Western Civilization through Muslim Eyes. Sayyid Mujtaba Rukni Musawi Lari, trans. F.J. Goulding.
* The Tendency of Rationalizing the Laws of the Shari’ah. Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi, 3360 Sexsmith Road, Richmond, B.C. Canada V6X 2H8.

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/islam/glossaries/glossary-of-islamic-terms/feed/ 1 Glossary of Christian Terms http://www.30-days.net/islam/glossaries/glossary-of-christian-terms/ http://www.30-days.net/islam/glossaries/glossary-of-christian-terms/#comments Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:53:23 +0000 TDI http://30-days.net/reveal/glossary-christian/ Unlike some glossaries, most of the words below are in English. The historic languages of Christianity are Aramaic, Hebrew, Greek and Latin. The Old (Jewish) Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek. Latin increasingly became the language of the bible in the Western half of the Roman Empire from the 5th century. In the last few hundred years the bible has been translated into most major language groupings. The bible remains the most printed and most popular book in the world. (This glossary relates to Bible words and sometimes come with a biblical reference to explain more.)

A B C D E F G H I J L M O P R S T W

* Abraham: The father of the Jewish nation. He and his group left Ur and started a new life in Canaan. He is also called the Father of all those who have faith

* Adam and Eve: The first people according to the book of Genesis. They lived in the Garden of Eden

* Agnostic: Someone who says we cannot know whether God exists

* Amen: The final word of a prayer; means "so be it" in Hebrew

* Apostles: The twelve followers of Jesus; means "a person who is sent to preach the gospel"

* Armageddon: the ultimate conflict between good and evil

* Ascension: When Jesus went back to heaven, 40 days after the resurrection

* Atheist: Someone who does not believe there is a God

* Atonement: Making amends for your sins or wrong deeds. Trying to put things right

B | Top

* Blasphemy: Blasphemy is the act of swearing using God’s name, saying bad things about God, or doing disrespectful things against God

* Blood of Christ: Jesus Christ died on the cross taking the penalty of death for sins. His blood being poured out (shed) on that cross is what covers sins. We are "cleansed" of our sin by His blood. [Romans 5:9]

* Born again: (also reborn) To be spiritually born after one has already been physically born. When one enters into a relationship with Christ, a new life has begun. The old life is past. [John 3:3, 2 Corinthians 5:17]

C | Top

* Catholic: 1) the universal Church with confesses Jesus Christ as Lord. 2) Churches with episcopal order. 3) Roman Catholic Church recognizing the primacy of the Pope

* Christ: Jesus Christ, son of God and Savior of mankind

* Christian: One who believes and worships Jesus Christ

* Church: The people who gather together to worship God. Not necessarily a physical building. [Matthew 16:18, 1 Corinthians 11:18]

* Communion: (also The Lord’s Supper; Last Supper) The sharing of bread and wine to remember the death and sacrifice of Jesus. The bread represents His body and the wine His blood. [1 Corinthians 11:23-26]

* Commandments: Laws of conduct written on stone and given to Moses by God at Mt. Sinai

* Confess: Confess is used in two major ways in the Bible. The first type of confession is the confession or admission of sin. The second kind of confession is the confession of faith. This is where the Christian declares his or her faith, usually publicly, or declares his or her faith as a part of witnessing

* Covenant: A legal promise between two people or groups. Some kinds of covenants apply equally to both sides like a marriage, or only one side like God’s promises.

* Covenant: An agreement or pact. In the Bible, it refers to an agreement between God and man. The Old Testament Covenants included the rules that Jews lived by to stay in grace with God. In the New Testament, there is a new covenant; our salvation is now the acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins

* Cross: Representation of Christian faith, Jesus died on the cross to take away all sins

D | Top

* Disciple: A disciple is a student and follower – Christians are disciples or students of Christ

E | Top

* Epistle: A letter. Most of the New Testament is a series of letters from apostles to churches and from apostle to apostle. The letters of Paul are called the Pauline Epistles.

* Eternal life: To have a relationship with God that never ends. It cannot be earned or bought. It is a free gift through faith in Christ. [Romans 6:23]

F | Top

* Faith: To trust or believe in something or someone. Often mistakenly portrayed as being blind or that you need to give up rational thought. The only way a person can be forgiven of their sins is through faith. [Acts 10:43, Ephesians 2:8]

* Fast: Process of denying self body of food for certain period of time; usually done as repentance of one’s sins or for the love of Christ

G | Top

* God: Creator of time and space. Christians believe there is one God, but three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All are God equally, they are not separate or smaller parts of God. [John 1:1-5, Matthew 28:20]

* Gospel: Word of the Lord

* Grace: Receiving something we don’t deserve. By His grace, God forgives sins and gives us His love even though we don’t deserve it. We cannot earn His grace; it’s His gift to us when we accept the sacrifice that Christ made for us on the cross.

* Guardian Angel: Angel that guards over you

H | Top

* Heaven: The ultimate paradise, God’s kingdom

* Hell: The place reserved for the devil (Satan) and his followers – all who do not accept Jesus

* Holy Spirit: God; Sent to help believers live more like Christ by giving guidance, strength, and love. He is inside of every Believer in Christ. [John 16:5-15]

* Holy Trinity- God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This makes up the Godhead – there is only one God

I | Top

* Incarnate: (to take on bodily form) Jesus Christ became fully human by being born in the flesh. He did not stop being fully God. He is both fully God and fully human. [John 1:14]

* Intercede: (intercession, intercessor) To go between two groups or people who are against each other, and preventing one from harming the other. To plead on behalf of another before a judge or king. An advocate, or defense lawyer. [Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25]

J | Top

* Jesus Christ: God; Became fully human to save us from everlasting death. Both completely God and completely man. We know He was fully man because He died on the cross. We know He was fully God because He rose from the grave. He conquered sin and death for us

* Justification: The process of being made good or perfect. To be justified is to be right. Jesus makes us right with God. And this cannot be accomplished by works (good deeds). [Romans 5:1, Galatians 2:16]

L | Top

* Lamb of God: Jesus refers to Himself as the Lamb of God several times in the New Testament. In the Old Testament, lambs were used as sacrifices and their blood washed away sins. Jesus came as the final sacrifice, taking the place of the lamb

* Lord’s Supper (Communion): The night of His arrest, Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples. This is known as the Last Supper. He offered them bread as a symbol of His flesh that would be sacrificed for us and wine as a symbol of the blood He would shed for us. When we take the sacrament of communion, we do it in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice for us

M | Top

* Martin Luther: Major revolutionary who brought about a great change ushering in the Protestant Church

* Mediator: Someone who works out disagreements between people or organizations.[1 Timothy 2:5]

* Mercy: Not receiving what we deserve. We don’t receive punishment for our sins because of Jesus

* Messiah: The Anointed one from God. Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah [John 1:41]

* Missionary: Person who preaches the Christian faith

O | Top

* Omnipotence: Having all power; a characteristic of God. There is nothing as powerful as God. All the forces of the universe combined do not even come close to His power

* Omnipresence: Having all presence; a characteristic of God. He is able to be everywhere at the same time. There is no place that God cannot go

* Omniscience: Having all knowledge; a characteristic of God. He knows everything that was, is or ever will be

P | Top

* Passover: Festival celebrating the liberation of the Israelites from the Egyptians

* Patriarch: A father. Biblical patriarchs refer to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who are considered the fathers of the Hebrew nation

* Pentecost: Pentecost is a Jewish feast day celebrated 50 days after Passover. It has significance to Christians because that first Pentecost after the crucifixion was when the Holy Spirit was sent to the Christians as the Comforter

* Pharisee: The Pharisees were a group of extremely devout Jews who were intent on obeying the Laws of Moses to the letter. Their error was in missing the spirit of the laws. Today when Christians talk about someone being like a Pharisee, they are talking about a person who is rigidly applying the Scripture to their lives and missing the spirit of love that Jesus wants us to have

* Pope: Religious head of Roman Catholic church

* Prayer: Plea/talking to God

* Prophet: A messenger from God. A person is only considered a prophet if their prophecy is true and consistent with God and His word

* Propitiation: To turn away wrath or punishment. Jesus turned away the wrath of God. [Romans 3:25]

* Protestant: Christians who do not accept the Pope as the head of the Church; have a few different beliefs than Catholics. Originally started by people who protested against the wrongdoing of the Catholic Church

R | Top

* Reconcile: To reconcile is to restore a relationship. We are separated from God by our sin. When we accept the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins on the cross, we are reconciled with God. Reconciliation is an important part of Christian doctrine. [Colossians 1:20-22]

* Redeem: (Redemption) To receive something in exchange for something else. Our sin was exchanged for eternal life. [Ephesians 1:7] To redeem is to purchase for a price. The price paid for our redemption was Jesus’ life. We didn’t have to pay the price of our sin Jesus did it for us. He is called the Redeemer for this reason

* Remnant: Remnant refers to a small, leftover portion. It generally refers to the small group of Jews who remained faithful to God through the Old Testament times. In the Book of Revelation, it refers to those who become or remain faithful to God during the tribulation

* Repent: Repent means to turn away or to turn around 180 degrees. When Christians talk about the need to repent from sin, they’re saying that we need to turn away from those things that we know offend God. Repentance- Feel sorry/to make up for wrong doings – without this step people do not become Christians

* Resurrection: The resurrection of Christ is the foundation of Christianity. When Christ sacrificed Himself on the cross, He shed His blood for our sins. When He came back to life, He proved that He had conquered the penalty of sin, which is death. It means To come back to life and never die again. [Romans 6:9]

S | Top

* Sabbath: Seventh day of the week, a Saturday or Sunday for most countries

* Sacrifice: Giving up something that is valued a lot by a person or offering of animal to God for special favor or sign. To make an offering in payment for a debt. [Hebrews 11:11-16]

* Salvation: Salvation is the gift of eternal life that God offers us. In order to claim the gift, we accept the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins. We ask Jesus to wash away our sins so that we can come before God blameless. The price of sin is eternal death but the gift of salvation is eternal life. By taking the penalty for all our sins, Jesus can offer us the gift of salvation. [John
3:14-17]

* Savior: A person who saves or rescues others from danger or death. [2 Timothy 1:10]

* Scripture: The inspired word of God. The Bible. [2 Timothy 3:16]

* Sin: Missing the mark. Sin is what separates us from God; it’s those things we do that we know are wrong but do them anyway. Our goal as Christians is to strive to eliminate sin from our lives; to hit the mark every time and do those things that please and honor God. Sin is a turning away from God’s love. Doing something wrong and disobeying the command of God

T | Top

* Testament: A witness or evidence given for belief. The Bible is divided into two parts, the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is about events that took place before Christ and the New Testament is about the advent of Christ, during Christ’s presence and after Christ

* Ten Commandments: Laws of conduct written on stone and given to Moses by God at Mt. Sinai

* Theology: A way of believing about life as it relates to God.

* Trinity: There are three persons, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, but one God

W | Top

* Worship: To pray to, to give honor and acceptance to God in Jesus name

Contributions

With contributions from the Bible Gateway, of Gospel Communications Network, Teen Reachout and several others. Thank you

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/islam/glossaries/glossary-of-christian-terms/feed/ 0 Muslim Holy Days (Islamic Special Holidays) http://www.30-days.net/islam/basics/islamic-holidays/ http://www.30-days.net/islam/basics/islamic-holidays/#comments Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:37:51 +0000 TDI http://www.30-days.net/reveal/islamic-holidays/ There are certain special days which Muslims world-wide celebrate or consider holy. Other days are specific to Sunni or Shi’ah Muslims depending on beliefs and location.
Here is a detailed list of the holy days for Muslims:

Muharram (Islamic New Year)

Ashura (celebrating Moses exodus day and for Shi’ah Muslims, commemorates the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Husayn ibn Ali) )

Mawlid al-Nabi (Muhammad’s Birthday)

Ramadan begins (the holy month of fasting)

Eid al-Fitr (Ramadan ends)

Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca

Arafat Day (9th day of month Dhu’l-Hijjah or Hajj, unity day at Arafat mountain)

Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice)

Other Special Days

Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power) (usually the 26th or 27th day of the month Ramadan)

Laylat ul Isra and Miraj – the Night of the Journey and Ascension”. It is on 26 of Rajab. It is the night when Muhammad was, according to Hadiths, taken to “the furthest mosque” (generally understood to be Jerusalem) on a Buraq (a beast resembling horse with wings; some people consider it a cherub) and ascended to the highest level of the heavens. It is said that he negotiated with God about the number of prayers, which started at fifty a day, but on his way down he met Moses who asked him to ask for a reduction in the number because the requirement was difficult for Muhammad’s people. Muhammad returned to God and several times asked for and was granted a reduction of five prayers, until the number was reduced to five in total, with the blessing that if they were properly performed, the performers would be credited with fifty prayers instead of five.

Laylat ul Bara’ah – Laylat ul Bara’ah is Arabic for “the Night of Freedom from Fire.” It occurs on the night between the 14th and 15th of Sha’ban. It is considered a night when Muslims are graced with Divine Mercy and blessings. The night is spent in the recitation of the Qur’an and special prayers.

Jumu’ah-tul-Wida (last Friday in the month of Ramadan) – Muslims regard this jumu’ah as the second holiest day of the month of Ramadan and one of the most important days of the year. Some Muslims spend a large part of their day on Jumu’ah-tul-Wida doing special worship called ibadah.

Shab-e-Br’aat (15th of Shabaan) – Shias believe that Muhammad al-Mahdi was born. Shias believe him to be the twelfth, final and current Shia Imam and also the Mahdi, a very important Islamic figure who is believed by all Muslims to bring absolute justice to the world by establishing Islam as the global religion.

* Some Sunni groups believe that Mid-Sha’ban is a night of worship and salvation and it is commonly believed that during this night, Allah prepares the destiny for all people on Earth for the coming year. For this reason it is sometimes called Night of Emancipation.

The Islamic / Muslim / Hijri Calendar

Names of the Islamic months

The Islamic Calendar months are named as follows:

1. Muharram محرّم (long form: Muḥarram ul Ḥaram)
2. Safar صفر (long form: Ṣafar ul Muzaffar)
3. Rabi’ al-awwal (Rabī’ I) ربيع الأول
4. Rabi’ al-thani (or Rabī’ al Thānī, or Rabī’ al-Akhir) (Rabī’ II) ربيع الآخر أو ربيع الثاني
5. Jumada al-awwal (Jumādā I) جمادى الأول
6. Jumada al-thani (or Jumādā al-akhir) (Jumādā II) جمادى الآخر أو جمادى الثاني
7. Rajab رجب (long form: Rajab al Murajab)
8. Sha’aban شعبان (long form: Sha’abān ul Moazam)
9. Ramadan رمضان (or Ramzān, long form: Ramaḍān ul Mubarak)
10. Shawwal شوّال (long form: Shawwal ul Mukarram)
11. Dhu al-Qi’dah ذو القعدة
12. Dhu al-Hijjah or Hajj ذو الحجة

Names of the days of the week

1. yaum al-ahad يوم الأحد (first day – Sunday)
2. yaum al-ithnayn يوم الإثنين (second day – Monday)
3. yaum ath-thulaathaa’ يوم الثُّلَاثاء (third day – Tuesday)
4. yaum al-arbia`aa’ يوم الأَرْبِعاء (fourth day – Wednesday)
5. yaum al-khamis يوم الخَمِيس (fifth day – Thursday)
6. yaum al-jumu`a يوم الجُمُعَة (gathering day – Friday)
7. yaum as-sabt يوم السَّبْت (sabbath day – Saturday)

Note: The Islamic dates are based on the Lunar Calendar. A lunar calendar is a calendar oriented at the moon phase.

Since there are about twelve lunations (synodic months) in a solar year, this period (354.37 days) is sometimes referred to as lunar year, corresponding to thirteen sidereal months (355.18 days).

For some lunar calendars, such as the Chinese calendar, the first day of the month is determined by the day during which the moment of new moon arrives, according to a particular time zone. Many other lunar calendars are based on first sighting of the lunar crescent. Thus, different lunar calendars differ in which day is considered the first day of the month. The average length of the synodic month is 29.530589 days. This means the length of a month is alternately 29 and 30 days (termed respectively hollow and full).

Because observations are subject to uncertainty and weather conditions, and astronomical methods are highly complex and differ from place to place.

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/islam/basics/islamic-holidays/feed/ 9 Arafat Day – all Christians please pray http://www.30-days.net/islam/basics/arafat/ http://www.30-days.net/islam/basics/arafat/#comments Sun, 20 Jun 2010 13:00:19 +0000 TDI http://www.30-days.net/reveal/arafat/ Arafat Day is an important occasion during the month of Dhu’l-Hijjah or Hajj

The 9th day of the month of Dhu’l-Hijjah marks a significant day for Muslims, yet it is a day not so well known or talked about in the rest of the world. The day is called the Day of Arafat.

Arafat Day and it’s Significance

On the first day of the Hajj Pilgrimage, Muslims sweep out of Mecca toward Mina, a small uninhabited village east of the city. As their throngs spread through Mina, the pilgrims generally spend their time meditating and praying, as the Prophet did on his pilgrimage. During the second day, the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, pilgrims leave Mina for the plain of Arafat. The Prophet is reported to have asked Allah to pardon the sins of pilgrims who stood at Arafat, and was granted his wish. Thus, the hopeful pilgrims prepare to leave this plain joyfully, feeling reborn without sin and intending to turn over a new leaf.

Just after sunset, the mass of pilgrims proceed to Muzdalifah, an open plain halfway between Arafat and Mina. There they first pray and then collect pebbles to use on the following days. The next day begins the Eid holiday or Eid al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice.

Why Arafat Day?

The Day of Arafat is the only day when Muslims gather together at Arafat Mountain in an act of unity to pray and fast for their religion and to offer sacrifices as they remember that Abraham offered Ishmael, not Isaac. It is called the Day of Repentance. It was from this site that Muhammad gave his famous Farewell Sermon in his final year of life.

The Day of Arafat is doubtless the most unified day of any Muslim event. Imagine Muslims gathered together at Arafat Mountain in unity, praying and fasting and stoning the devil whom they say tried to stop their father Abraham from offering Ishmael and offer Isaac instead. You see, Muslims declare that Ishmael is the son of the promise, not Isaac. Muslims offer sacrifices in remembrance that Abraham offered Ishmael as a sacrifice for sins, not Isaac! (Those who complete the Hajj are told all the sins before the journey are forgiven.)

Arafat Day comes 70 days after the start of Ramadan each year.

Prayer guide for Arafat Day:

1- Pray and fast through the day that the Holy Spirit will break spiritual deceiving and blindness over the eyes of the Muslims, declaring Isaac as the seed, not Ishmael.

2 – Gather as many groups as possible – either three to five believers or, in small meetings or overnight prayer events to offer the True God our sacrifices of praise.

3- Declare that the True God is known only through Jesus Christ the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, not Ishmael, according to the Scriptures. Pray for truth to be revealed, that is, the truth of the real promise through Isaac in Jesus Christ to be known. Pray for Muslims to become the sons of Abraham and to know their rights to the promises which were through Isaac.

Video: About Arafat Day

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]]> http://www.30-days.net/islam/basics/arafat/feed/ 18 The Hajj Pilgrimage – Journey of a Lifetime http://www.30-days.net/islam/basics/hajj/ http://www.30-days.net/islam/basics/hajj/#comments Sun, 30 May 2010 14:20:38 +0000 TDI http://www.30-days.net/reveal/hajj/ The Hajj and Eid al-Adha

One fifth of humankind shares a single aspiration to complete, at least once, the spiritual journey called the Hajj. In Arabic, Hajj literally means “resolve” ie; to resolve to some magnificent duty.

Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Countless millions of Muslims, men and women from the four corners of the earth, have made the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam. In carrying out this journey they fulfill one of the five “pillars” of Islam (or central religious duties of a believer).

The Prophet Muhammed said, “He who performs the Hajj with no obscenity or evil practices will come out as a newly born baby free from all sins”. For the Muslims, the pilgrimage is therefore much more than something to be done. It is a sacred and revered journey. Yet without it they have less chance of getting into paradise.

Spiritual Climax

Whether a pilgrim spends years walking from his nomadic home in Africa, or several hours on a plane from Asia, there is little doubt that the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, will be the spiritual climax of his life. The pilgrimage takes place every year to commemorate Abraham’s attempted sacrifice of his son (who Muslims believe was Ishmael, rather than Isaac). The Hajj pilgrimage takes place during the month of Dhu’l-Hijjah (Hajj). Highlights will be the coming to Mecca and circling the Kab’ah, then going to Mount Arafat and stoning the devil (Day of Repentance) and then celebrating Eid ul-Adha, the Festival of the Sacrifice.

Preparation

Before setting out a pilgrim should redress all wrongs, pay all debts and plan to have enough funds for his own journey and for the maintenance of his family while he is away. Certain Governments even allocate funds to assist pilgrims. Many religious rites are performed according to the Qur’an and tradition. The pictures we usually see are of a great throng of humanity circling the Ka’bah (a cubical structure made of stone). Their circling of the Ka’bah, the symbol of God’s oneness, implies that all human activity must have God at its centre. It also symbolizes the unity of God and man. It is circled seven times and a prayer is recited each time round. According to some traditions, the Ka’bah is the sole remnant of the original structure built by Abraham and Ishmael. While making their circuits pilgrims may kiss or touch the black stone. Perhaps the single most important reason for kissing the stone is that Muhammad did so.

Stoning of Satan

Another rite is The Stoning of Satan. According to the Qur’an, Satan tempted Abraham and Ishmael three times to stop the sacrifice. Each time they responded by throwing stones at Satan. As pilgrims throw seven pebbles at the three pillars, they remember the story of Satan’s attempt to persuade Abraham to disregard God’s command to sacrifice Ishmael. Throwing the pebbles is symbolic of a humans’ attempt to cast away evil and vice, the number seven symbolising infinity.

Prayer Points

* While performing the Hajj a Muslim really seeks God. Many are known to have had visions of Jesus. Pray that they may also have visions of Jesus and turn to follow Him (Joel 2:28).

* Pray for divine appointments, that on their journey to Mecca Muslims would meet Christians who would witness to them.

* That God would put a desire in their hearts to look past their traditions and to look towards Jesus and what He has completed at the cross (John 4:23).

The Hajj – Video

Scene From Our 2009 Hajj Journey (Updated) from Akanke Abdul-Khaaliq on Vimeo.

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