Orthopraxy In Islam Essays - Islam, Hajj, Monotheistic Religions

Orthopraxy In Islam Orthopraxy in Islam RLST 2600 Orthopraxy in Islam Islamic life is centered on the physical practice of prayer (salat). With that the religion of Islam itself is based in the methodical movement through which Muslims show their devotion to Allah. The prayer begins with the devotee standing, bending slowly into a sitting position and ending in full prostration. Bowing fully onto the ground is a practice that shows humility and represents the true devotion of members. Practice-centered religion differentiates itself from orthodox religion in that it focuses primarily on ritual practice, rather than theology or doctrine, orthodox meaning correct opinion. The most visible orthodox religion of America is Christianity. Christianity centers life around the opinions of the church with less emphasis on purity and behavior. Islamic life is distinctly based on what can be defined as orthopraxy or the importance of religious practice. The orthopraxy of Islam can be seen in at least three of the Five Pillars of Islam , salat, Ramadan and the hajj, which are also representative of Muslim faith and duties. Salat, as mentioned earlier, is the performance of prayer five times a day. The prayer, which includes full prostration, is performed facing Mecca. In the The Meaning of the Glorious Koran, (the earliest source of Islamic writing as dictated to Mohammed), it is written, Whencesoever thou comest forth (for prayer, O Mohammed) turn thy face toward the Inviolable Place of Worship. Lo! it is the Truth from thy Lord. Allah is not unaware of what ye do (Surah 2:149). Implicit directions for prayer also display the amount of emphasis on practice. Salat must be performed five times daily, at specific times of the day: early morning, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and evening. Each Friday a congregational service is held at the mosque and every male is required to attend. Before prayer, four ritual aspects are required: ritual purification, proper covering of the body, proper intention, and facing Mecca, o r qibla (1). The emphasis on purity is directly associated with prayer, as one must not be impure in any way when one prays. The ritual impurity associated with everyday living is known as najasa or hadath. Najasa is external impurity including but not limited to, urine, blood, pus, feces of animals and humans. Hadath is impurity of the soul from performing certain activities. Hadath is caused by activities ranging from sleeping to seminal emission. The degree of hadath varies depending on the activity. Daily impurities result in a need for cleansing or ablutions. Ablution can be performed outside of mosques, usually the mosque will maintain a small fountain in which people can wash their hands to their elbows, feet to their ankles as well as heads and faces (1). The use of ablution as a form of purification as well as the consistent call to purify oneself follows the orthopraxy within Islam. The Koran states, The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mank ind, and clear proofs of the guidancewhosoever of you is present, let him fast the month (2:185). The fasting during the month of Ramadan is an expression of joy; the fasting person recalls their dependence on Allah for sustenance and life. The fast lasts for thirty days, each day from sunrise to sunset. Again, the emphasis is placed on the practice of refraining from food, which challenges the body (1). The lives of Muslims change for a month as they devote themselves to concentration on the past year, and the graciousness of God. Increasing the amount of time spent focusing on religion allows members of the religion to renew their faith and their relationships with others. The journey to Mecca known as the hajj encompasses the practicing element of Islam. The holy pilgrimage to Mecca is required for all Muslims only if they have the means to afford such a trip and the physical ability to do so. Borrowing money is not proper for the trip; in fact one must have all debts settled bef ore they leave on hajj. Travel to the center of religious worship represents the distance one is willing to travel as well as the costs one is willing to endure in order to display their

buy custom Technology, Science, and Culture essay

buy custom Technology, Science, and Culture essay Technology is the usage of tools, techniques, or systems in a manner aimed at solving problems or serving some purposes. It is a science that involves analyzing, developing, and applying machines, devices, and techniques with the aim of enhancing productive and manufacturing processes. Technology is the method of employing technical knowhow and tools to achieve specific goals. For example, video editing which involves the application of technical ability in editing motion picture. This means technology is the elaborated understanding of something that when skillfully applied, a specific ambition is fulfilled. Technology is the machines and systems that aid in making a production process, or any other activity, efficient. Usually technology in this context defines a situation whereby these machines and systems are used as a unit. For example, a seismograph is technology because it is a machine that makes the process of measuring and detecting the direction, duration, and intensity of earthquakes proceed in an efficient manner. Technology is a cultural anthropology. In this context, its a definition of the ways of conducting cultural or societal affairs, or the method of organization. For example, democracy may be regarded as a social technology. Technology as a cultural anthropology means it is used for social purposes. Social technologies include hardware and software that accommodates social procedure in interpersonal communication, e.g. telegraphs, telephones, and postal systems. The impact of television on cultures Some technologies have had great impacts on cultures, e.g. television. Television has a great effect on the subconscious mind and their induction on people is easy and rapid. As an example, te most effective adverts are those broadcasted on television. Motion picture on television has weakened individuals ability to behave autonomously due to its strong influence reminiscence on cultures worldwide. This influence is as a result of the events that are broadcasted as well as those that are withheld a scenario that makes television broadcasting has an extensive social control on people. On morality, since television has connected societies into a global village, a specific cultures norms have been eroded and considered as backwardness. This has lead to people loosen ethical boundaries to accommodate modes of behavior that they see on television. Television has also diversified political opinions and enhanced consumer participation levels. They have been utilized to influence sentiments, beliefs, and judgments; and a notable example is when governments apply television broadcasts with the aim of wining the citizens support on important issues. It is widely believed that television influences the way people vote, and this belief has lead to televised political debates. Lastly, media moguls have become some of the most powerful unelected persons in the world. Rupert Murdoch is the best example in this case. The future of internet Information technology refers to data processing and distribution using computer systems and telecommunication channels. There has been rapid growth in the number of users in recent years due to its effectiveness and efficiency. The use of the internet is growing at a phenomenal rate, and it is part of technology that will have a lot of impact on the future of the world. With regard to this, scientists are enhancing its capacity to enable accommodation of increasedd traffic as more people embrace its use while the existing users increase the amount data they send. Technologies like the Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) are being developed so as to reduce congestion on the internet because it allows per second data transfer across faster medium like optic fiber. Faster packet handling equipments have been developed to ensure its sustained growth in the use. It would be difficult to do without the internet because most other forms of technology rely on it in many ways. For example, television broadcasts on the internet have gained popularity just like the internet application in education and medicine has. The Telephone Many technological innovations have been inspired by social needs, for example, the telephone. Telephone was first introduced for societal use in 1876. This invention by Alexander Graham Bell made communication easier previously. The use of telephone left an indelible mark in the society, and its impacts are evident in business and war correspondences. The basic demand that necessitated research in this area was the need of people to establish contacts with relatives and friends overseas a situation which was difficult before. It has had some negative impacts too, like the sophistication of criminal activities. In spite of the fact that this innovation was to become an important part of our lives, most people had at first neglected its use taking it as a toy or a fake gadget. When its capabilities became clearer the skepticism ended, and people embraced it which lead to growth in its use. The telephone innovation has grown to fulfill the need of people to converse conveniently and cheaply, which was the main cause of the introduction of mobile phones. Buy custom Technology, Science, and Culture essay