Three Religious Traditions

Question Two: Which of the three religious traditions that we have studied this fall would you follow if you had to choose a faith tradition other than your own? Explain your choice.
On an individual level, religion can give people a community to be apart of, growing and worshiping together as fellow followers. Religion also can motivate people in their lives and their values, and beliefs that reflect the practices of that certain religion. Personally religion has helped me identify with people all across the world, and encouraged me to be a better person in my own religion. Not only does it provide faith in something, but compassion and love for those who love the religion such as themselves. Although there are religions all over the world,

specially learning about the three monotheistic religions has opened my eyes to aspects about culture, and love for God, one God. If to chose a religion beside my own, Christianity, it would be the belief of Islam.
After reflecting about another religion I would choose, I decided that the values, practices and beliefs of Islam would better benefit me as a person and help me grow through life in peace.

Muslims believe in one universal and supreme God, they believe he is creator of all and is a compassionate God. They believe strongly in helping other people, especially in need. Some of these practices stem from Abraham in Genesis, and other key leaders like Adam, and Jesus are also mentioned in their Bible, called the Qur’an. The Qur’an is composed of revelations from the prophet and leader Muhammed who is known as the founder of Islam and was a huge part is the spread of Islam. Before this class I knew very little of Islam, and the Muslims but after many lectures on the principles of Islam and key leaders like Muhammad and Ali, and a book, How Does it Feel to Be a Problem? Written by Moustafa Bayoumi, and a documentary that documents a women who converted to Islam from Catholicism, and joined some friend on the Hajj, apart of Islam’s’ Five Pillars. The book reflects a Muslim-American writer who interviews many Muslim Americans, Arab Americans and their hardships being suppressed by the incident of 9/11. The book really challenged that Islam is not violence and those people who call themselves Muslims causing destruction and terror are not in fact practicing Islam. This book allowed me to see through the eyes of real people and their lives and all the different hardships faced, it gave me a new respect and aspiration for the true Islam followers who practice whole heartily even if they are being suppressed by an incident, their true religion was not apart

of.
During some lectures in class, the Five Pillars of Islam were explained. The first pillar is the Shahada, the Profession of Faith. This first part is one of the biggest aspects of Islam believe that there is no God, but Allah and his prophet Muhammad. This ensures that all believers are dedicated and are aware that their God is the supreme and no one other god should be worshiped. The second Pillar of Faith is Prayer, called Salat. Within this pillar, Muslims are expected to pray five times a day. More specifically Muslims are to pray towards the Kaaba, in Mecca which is a known as the most holy mosque of the Islam religion. Muslims are allowed to pray anywhere as long as it is at the specified time, and direction needed. The prayer includes bowing, standing and kneeling in faith toward the Kaaba, this is a symbol of faith and submission to their one God. Just like many religions, Islam dedicates a day for community gathering. For example, Christian attend church on Sunday, for Muslims, they attend a local mosque on Friday midday. The third pillar of faith is Zakat, or Alms-Giving. This pillar focuses on the value of loving your neighbor. Muslims are expected to share their wealth with those less fortunate, who are still followers of Islam and need a helping hand. This ideal can also be compared to other monotheistic religions such as Judaism and Christianity which all believe that there is one God, and everyone should love each other and share peace. Giving to the less fortunate is something that shows that materialist things do not matter because with God life can be fulfilled, without him all is lost. The fourth pillar of faith is titled Saum, simply fasting during Ramadan. Ramadan is known as the holy month of Islam, which on the Islamic calendar it is the ninth month. During this whole month Muslims are expected to fast from dawn to dusk, exceptions made for those who are sick, too old or pregnant. Their fast consist of refraining from any type of food or drink during the hours of the fast. This practice allows Muslims to fully give their needs, temptations and wants to God, because he will always provide. Whenever a Muslim might get thirsty or hungry during this period they often will reflect on why they are doing this, for Allah. The last pillar of faith is the Hajj, or the pilgrimage to Mecca. The Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca, but in Islamic faith Muslim adults are only requires to take the Hajj once as long as it is done for those who are psychically and financially able. The Hajj stems back to Muhammad and his own pilgrimages to Mecca that he took, as well as Abraham and his pilgrimage seen in Genesis. During the Hajj Muslims are to visit the Kaaba walking around it seven times. The Hajj requires many specific and detailed directions to complete the pilgrimage and can be a true act of faith for some people and may require years of preparation.
The Hajj really captured my attention while watching a documentary in class about an American women who had converted, made the journey to Mecca on the Muslim pilgrimage. The specific documentary is titled “Inside Mecca” presented and made by National Geographic. The film focuses specifically on three individuals who were taking the Hajj that year. One of which was an American women who recently converted to Islam from Catholicism. After seeing that a blonde-blue eyed women previously Catholic, convert to Islam, I started to wonder what really captivated this women about this religion, I wanted to find out. As the documentary went on much detail was given on both the preparation of the journey, as well as the long and tedious journey to reach Mecca. The film captured many important moments during the Hajj, as well as some of the hardships seen like the desert heat and sun, as well as the millions of people surrounding you on the same enduring journey. In a moment where the women was in prayer, that is when I was completely moved by this religion and saw the happiness, peace and contentment that filled the women as she surrounded herself to the one God, Allah. It was a very powerful moment and encouraged me as a person to be more dedicated to the things I love.
Understanding more and more about Islam has opened my eyes to a religion I previously knew little about. I choose Islam because I see Allah move through these people, I see the eagerness they have about religion and dedication to God. Islam is a wonderful example of true region and practice by giving its community a structed and peaceful way to live under Allah. Islam is the religion that takes up much of everyday life but life should be dedicated to God anyway. Islam helps remove some of the earthly and materialistic temptations, and focuses fully on God and the prophet Muhammad. This religion would help shape me into a better person and give me a clear understanding about good and bad. This religion would allow me to connect with million across the nation and it would challenge me daily to keep faith, hope and love for the one, true God.