Islamic Faith, History, and Culture Fundamentals
Core Islamic Precepts and Practices
Islamic Precepts: Daily, Lifelong, and Annual Duties
Key religious duties in Islam include:
- Daily: Prayer (Salat) performed five times daily.
- Ongoing: Belief in one God (Allah) and the profession of faith (Shahada); Giving alms (Zakat) to the needy.
- Annual: Fasting (Sawm) from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan.
- Lifelong: Pilgrimage (Hajj) to the holy city of Mecca, if able (at least once).
Historical Figures and Events
Byzantine Emperor Before Muhammad’s Birth
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Read MoreCatholic Social Action, Interfaith Dialogue & US Identity
Dorothy Day & The Catholic Worker Movement
Many American Catholics have used principles of Catholic social teaching to address specific injustices and inequities in American life. One of the most prominent Catholics to do so is Dorothy Day. The Catholic Worker Movement that she started spread among many Catholics, creating places for the poor and underprivileged to get food, shelter, and other necessities. This good work stemmed from the idea that every person has human dignity granted by God.
Read MoreChristian Doctrines: Repentance, Faith, Salvation
Understanding Repentance and Faith
Repentance is necessary because all are guilty of sinning.
Repentance is primarily an intellectual activity.
Repentance is produced by the ministry of the Word and by a fresh vision of God.
Faith is vitally important to us, for it affects every aspect of our lives.
Faith is composed of only one element, assent, for it basically involves emotions.
What are the results of repentance?
- a) The entire community rejoices at the sinner’s action.
- b) The family of the repentant
Los Santos Inocentes: Character Profiles and Analysis
Azarías
Azarías is a man in his sixties who always wears the same clothes: corduroy trousers ending at the knees, with no buttons on his fly, and bare feet. He is Régula’s brother. He previously worked for Mr. Jara but was fired due to his lack of hygiene. He was accustomed to wetting his hands so they wouldn’t crack from the cold. With his toothless mouth, his words sometimes seemed unintelligible, as if he were chewing something. He is a very affectionate person who developed a great affection
Read MoreReligion in American Literature: Puritanism to Dickinson
Religion’s Role in American Literary Tradition
Religion is a central topic in many different literary works in the American tradition, but different authors approach it from distinct perspectives.
Puritan Literature Perspectives
Religion is essential to Puritan literature. A central tenet of their belief system is predestination: everything is determined by the will of God. They can also be considered fundamentalists, believing that social life should be organized according to religious principles.
Read MoreSephardic Jews: History and Culture in Medieval Spain
Jews in Sepharad: A Historical Overview
According to some accounts, the arrival of Jews in the Iberian Peninsula (Sepharad) occurred after the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. From the third century onward, Jewish communities existed in this territory, considering Toledoth (city of generations) as their cultural and religious center.
Jews and Visigoths: A Complex Relationship
The relationship between Jews and Visigoths was generally respectful, though not always cordial. Discrimination against
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