Chapter 2.1: Islamic Symbols

Islamic Symbols Introduction

In the previous chapter you studied about worship and forms of worship, pillars and articles of faith. In this chapter you will be equipped with an understanding of the symbols in Islam, and their meaning and
importance.
Islamic Symbols
Activity 2.1.1 Discussing about the Islamic symbols
In pairs,
1.Identify any symbols you know.
2.Mention the Islamic symbols you know.
3.Discuss the importance of these symbols.
4.Share your answers with the whole class.

The Ka’aba
Activity 2.1.2 Studying and describing the Islamic symbols
Study Figure 2.1.1 below and answer the questions that follow:

In groups,

1. Name the symbol above in Figure 2.1.1.
2. Share what you know atxjutthe symbol above in Figure 2.1. I.

Activity 2.1.3 Reading the passage and performing tasks that follow
The Ka’aba is located at the heart of the Sacred Mosque in Mecca. It is also called Baytullah. The House of Allah. It is the first house built for humanity to worship Allah. It functions as the Qibla, the direction to which all Muslims face in prayer. Regarding the Ka’aba, Allah mentions in the Quran in Surah A1-Matdah: “Allah has made the Ka’aba, the Sacred House, an asylum of security and benefits (e.g., Hajj and Umrah) for mankind.” [5:97J. It is a big Islamic symbol.
“Allah has made the Ka’aba, the sacred house, an asylum of security and benefits (e.g. Hajj and Umrah). For mankind, and also (made sacred) the sacred month and the animals of offerings and the garlanded (people or animals marked with the garlands on their necks made from the outer part of the stem of the
Mekkah trees for their security), that you may know that Allah has knowledge of all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, and that Allah is All-knower of each and everything.”

Work in groups,

1. State the functions of the Ka’aba.
2. Share your answers with the whole class.

Activity2.1.4 Studying and responding
Work in groups,
I. Mention the difference between Hajji and Umra.

2. Mention the rituals performed during:
   a) Hajji
   b) Umra
3. Share your answers with the whole class.
4. What else did Allah advise Muslims to do in Surat 5:97?
5. From the passage, what does Allah talk about His Ka’aba?
   Location and appearance of the Ka’aba
   The Kataba was constructed by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son Ismail (AS).

Directly above the Ka’aba is a place in the heavens called the Baytul Ma’moor it is as important as the Ka’aba here on earth. Each day seventy thousand angels engage in worship there and none of them
gets a second opportunity to present them there again. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“One hundred and twenty mercies descend upon the Ka’aba every day and night; sixty for those performing tawaf, forty for those engaged in salah and twenty for those who are merely looking at the
Ka’aba.” (Bayhaqi). What is found in the four corners of the Ka’aba.
Activity 2.1.5Drawing the Ka’aba and answering the questions that follow

In pairs,

1. Draw the Ka’aba.
2. Describe the appearance of the Ka’aba.
3. Demonstrate the rituals performed at the Ka’aba.
4. Name the four corners of the Ka’aba.
   Share your answers with the rest of the class.
   Surah A1-Hajj 22:32
   Activity 2.1.6 Reading the passage and answering questions that follow
   In groups, read the passage about the verse of Surah A1-Hajji 22:30 and discuss the questions below:
5. Allah talks about His symbols which prove divinity as reflected in Surat A1-Hajj 22:30. By symbols of Allah, He referred to what pilgrims perform during Hajji among others. The observance of the holiness of the symbols by a man is proof that there is faith in their heart. On the other hand, the man who disapproves of their holiness proves himself not to have faith and fear of Allah. It shows that he either does not believe in Allah or has adopted a rebellious attitude against Him.
6. What do you learn from the Surat?
7. Apart from the Ka’aba, what other symbols of Allah do you know?

Activity 2.1.7 Making a Ka ‘aba
Organise yourselves into groups. Make a Ka’aba. Present it to the whole class.
Hajar A1-Aswad (the Black Stone)
Which type of stone was it? Where did it come from? This is another Islamic symbol. The next activity will enable you to understand it better .
Activity 2.1.8 Describing the history of Hajar A1-Aswad
Describe the history of Hajar A1-Aswad. Record and share your answers with the whole class.

Do you realise that you have just studied about Hajar A1-Aswad9 It is also referred to as the Kataba black stone from Paradise. It is also an important symbol in Islam, According to the Hadith, Hadhrat Abdullah
ibn Abbaas (Radhiallaahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, ‘Hajar-al-Aswad (the black stone) came from Jannat and it was whiter than milk. Thereafter. the sins of man
blackened it.’ As you observe Figure 2.1.2, you will understand more.

Zamzam Well
Activity 2.1.9 Reading the passage and performing the tasks that follow
Zamzam well is hand-made and is about 30.5 m deep, with an internal diameter of 1.08 to 2.66 m . It is a famous well in al-Masjid al-Haraam (The Sacred Mosque in Mecca), which is thirty-eight cubits away from the Ka’aba.
Do you know that Zamzam well is the well from which Allah quenched the thirst of Ismail the son of Ibrahim (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them both) when he was an infant? His mother (Hajar (peace and blessings of Allah be upon her) looked for water for him, but could not find any. She ran to the top of Mount al-Safaa, praying to Allah to help her and give her water for Ismail, and then she ran to the top of Mount A1-Marwah and did the same. Allah sent Jibreel (peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him), and he struck the earth, and water appeared.

1.From the passage, describe the history of Zamzam well.
2.Describe what you see in Figure 2.1.3.
3.Share your answers with the whole class.

Figure 2.1.4 shows the people in Mecca who are moving around the well of Zamzam.
The Crescent Moon
In the Islamic lunar calendar, the crescent of the new moon is Hilal.
The crescent moon defines the date of the pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina.

It also shows the beginning and end of Ramadhan. The crescent is also a symbol of Islam. It normally appears on top of the domes found in Muslim religious buildings / structure and on flags and military
banners in the Islamic world.