Muslim Rites of Passagehttp://jaihoon.tv/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/sujood.jpg

Early Life• Adhan – the ceremony that is performed after the birth of

a child. – The father or an elder whispers the Call to Prayer

in the baby’s right ear. These are the first words said to the baby.

– The person then whispers the Command to Rise and Worship into the baby’s left ear.

– Male children are usually circumcised at the hospital.

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Early Life

• Aqiqah– A name giving ceremony– Families choose between:

• A family name• One of Muhammad’s names• One of the 99 names of God with Abd (servant) before it.

– The hair of the baby is cut and the weight of the hair in silver (or available currency) is given to the poor.

– A goat or sheep is butchered. Two thirds is used at a feast to celebrate and one third is given to the poor.

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Marriage

• Often parents will help select a spouse for their children; however, the individuals to be married make the final decision.

• Cultural customs may be different for different Muslims; however, some Muslims would have in-laws meet first in each other’s homes, followed by similar introductions of friends.

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Marriage • The bride and groom promise

to do their best to make their marriage ‘an act of obedience to God, to make it a relationship of mutual love, mercy, peace, faithfulness, and cooperation…’

• The couple sign a business like contract containing anything the couple wants in it about their relationship and property.– Eg. Marriage gift, only one wife,

woman may work or go to school, money matters, etc.

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Marriage

• Many Muslims like an imam to officiate in the home or mosque, with readings from the Qur’an, a talk about the responsibilities of marriage, and prayers.

• A big feast follows the signing of the marriage contract

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Divorce

• Only allowed as a last resort after the couple has taken time to reconcile.

• The wife must be properly provided for.

Funerals

• The burial should happen on the day the person died.• Dead body is washed three times, and wrapped in

three white sheets (if the have made the Hajj pilgrimage then these sheets are used).

• The body is carried on a stretcher or plain coffin to the burial site.

• The body is placed with its right side facing Mecca and the head turned toward Mecca.

Funerals

• Bystanders throw three handfuls of earth on the grave.

• The Qur’an is recited. • Some Muslims believe that the

body must touch the earth.• Two angels visit the grave and

question the deceased to prepare her/him for Judgement Day.

• The soul of the dead person will wait in a dreamless sleep until judgement day.

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