I s l a m

Holy Book of Islam
The exquisite pages of an illuminated manuscript reveal the opening lines of the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam. Miraculously revealed in a vision to the Prophet Muhammad starting in AD 610 and written down (in Arabic) before his death, the Qur’an is believed by Muslims to be the direct word of God, or Allah.  The Qur’an is recited during daily prayers and is considered a spiritual guide.

Holy Day
In an Iranian mosque at midday on Friday, the holy day of Islam, faithful Muslims bow in prayer toward Mecca (Makkah).  Most Iranians are Shiites, whose religious calendar centers around the commemoration of the death of a 7th-century martyr. Since 1979, when Iran was proclaimed an Islamic republic, Islamic principles have guided all aspects of the nation's government.

Socializing
There are several forms of greeting in Islam.  The most common is a handshake with the right hand and the phrase As-salaamu ’alaykum (“Peace be upon you”).  Frequently, males will follow the greeting by extending the left hand to each other’s right shoulder and kissing the other’s right and left cheeks.  The greeting used depends on the individuals’ relationship to each other and their status in society. When accompanied by a woman wearing a veil, a man will not normally introduce her, and one does not expect to shake hands with her. The term for “Good morning” is Sabah al-khair, and for “Good evening” it is Masah al-khair.  A casual hello is Marhaba. 

Muslims pray in the upper gallery of a main mosque in the old walled city of Delhi, India. They are celebrating the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting as ordained by the Koran, the sacred scriptures of Islam.

REUTERS/CORBIS-BETTMANN

Holiday and Celebrations
Because the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar month, a year in Saudi Arabia may be up to 11 days shorter than a year based on the Gregorian, or Western, calendar. Therefore, the Islamic holidays fall on different days from year to year. The Islamic calendar begins at the year of the Hegira, the migration of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in the 7th century. The year 1999, therefore, roughly corresponds to the Islamic year of 1419.

The most important holidays in Islam include the three-day feast of ’Id al-Fitr, which is enjoyed at the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan.  Children receive gifts at this time, and wear new clothing.   ’Id al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his only son at Allah’s behest.  This feast also celebrates the annual hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, during which it occurs.