Rafael Mendez
Rafael Mendez
ARAB 164
03242015
It was July 2011 in Helmand Province Afghanistan. We are awakened at the crack of dawn by the Muslim incantations being recited by the locals as the Marines get up and get ready they grunt and yell turn that crap off. We are on our way out of Camp Dwyer back to Camp Leatherneck as we move along the route I see Afghani performing their prayers some are standing some are, kneeling. In Marion Katz essay The Prophet Muhammad in ritual she explains how physical representations of the Prophet Muhammad hold a marginal and disputed place in Muslim piety. The people of the Christian religion celebrate Christmas to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ there are many popular modern customs and traditions that include gift giving, exchange of Christmas cards, church services, special meals, lots of decorating and stockings. People have strayed from the original idea of celebrating the birth of Jesus. Christmas is now being used as an excuse to party, get drunk, and buy gifts and more gifts. The Muslims hold celebrations to commemorate the Prophet Muhammad’s birth this is known in Arabic as the mawlid.
What meaning does the celebration of mawlid have for Muslims? Unlike the Christians they do not have the need to shop for expensive things to give each other or associate the Prophet with other imaginary figures. The Muslims only need to tell stories of the prophet’s birth, share food, and read poems of Muhammad; they treat it as a spiritual and social occasion. Do the Muslims use the celebration of the Prophets birth for personal gains of piety? Katz informs us of the creation of pious foundations to support the celebration of malwid. If a pious individual could reap the benefits of pious action even beyond the grave by bequeathing money for the celebration of the malwid this might suggest that they are truly believers of the Prophet Muhammad and that they’re doing all this to show their love for him. I do not believe that Muslims use
ARAB 164
03242015
It was July 2011 in Helmand Province Afghanistan. We are awakened at the crack of dawn by the Muslim incantations being recited by the locals as the Marines get up and get ready they grunt and yell turn that crap off. We are on our way out of Camp Dwyer back to Camp Leatherneck as we move along the route I see Afghani performing their prayers some are standing some are, kneeling. In Marion Katz essay The Prophet Muhammad in ritual she explains how physical representations of the Prophet Muhammad hold a marginal and disputed place in Muslim piety. The people of the Christian religion celebrate Christmas to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ there are many popular modern customs and traditions that include gift giving, exchange of Christmas cards, church services, special meals, lots of decorating and stockings. People have strayed from the original idea of celebrating the birth of Jesus. Christmas is now being used as an excuse to party, get drunk, and buy gifts and more gifts. The Muslims hold celebrations to commemorate the Prophet Muhammad’s birth this is known in Arabic as the mawlid.
What meaning does the celebration of mawlid have for Muslims? Unlike the Christians they do not have the need to shop for expensive things to give each other or associate the Prophet with other imaginary figures. The Muslims only need to tell stories of the prophet’s birth, share food, and read poems of Muhammad; they treat it as a spiritual and social occasion. Do the Muslims use the celebration of the Prophets birth for personal gains of piety? Katz informs us of the creation of pious foundations to support the celebration of malwid. If a pious individual could reap the benefits of pious action even beyond the grave by bequeathing money for the celebration of the malwid this might suggest that they are truly believers of the Prophet Muhammad and that they’re doing all this to show their love for him. I do not believe that Muslims use