ALL ABOUT
ISLAM
Understanding the Islam, the religion of Muslims
INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM
According to the study of mosques, Islam is the
fastest growing religion in the United States.
Between 1994 and 2000, the number of mosques
increased from 962 to 1209, an increase of 25%.
Much of the growth in these congregations occured
in less than 20 years, about one third of mosques
were established in the 1980s and another one
third in the 1990s.
INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM
Islam means "peace, submission, and obedience."
Islam is a monotheistic religion that recognizes
Muhammad as the last of the great prophets,
following in the footsteps of Noah, Abraham,
Moses, and Jesus. The life and writings of
Muhammad, the Qur'an, serve as a template for
Muslims to worship, pray, raise their families, and
conduct daily life. The tenets of Islamic life are
described as the "Five Pillars of Islam".
Common Islamic Terms
Allah
The Supreme Being, the one and only God. The same
God as that worshiped by Jews and Christians.
Azan
The call for daily prayers, broadcast five times a day in
Arabic over a loudspeaker in the minaret, or tower of the
mosque.
Eid
A religious festival. There are two main celebrations in Islam.
The Eid Al Fitr marks as the end of Ramadan (a month of
fasting). The Eid Al-Adhha is the Feast of Sacrifice in
memory of when the prophet Abrahan wa asked to sacrifice
his son Ishmael.
Common Islamic Terms
Hadith
A collection of sayings and traditions of the prophet
Muhammad that are used to guide daily life, dietary
practices, and social interactions.
Halal
A term meaning “lawful, which refers to compliance with
the Qur’an and the Hadith. In Muslim communities grocery
stores advertise halal meat for sale. Like the Jewish Kosher
tradition, this vendors have follow the Islamic practices
required in the preparation and killing of animals.
Common Islamic Terms
Haram
The converse of halal, unlawful according to the tenents
of the Qur’an and the Hadith. Eating pork is considered
haram for Muslim. Sex outside of marriage is also
forbidden.
Imam
A religious leader who leads congregational prayers at the
mosque. This person is not viewed as infallible. The imam
is not ordained or assigned to a particular mosque by any
higher religious authority.
Common Islamic Terms
Jihad
An Arabic word derived from the word jahada, which
means to strive for a better way of life or endeavor,
strain, exertion, effort, diligence, or fighting to defend
one’s life, land, and religious freedom. Extremists may
use this concept as justification for violence, whereas
most Muslims understand this concept to mean the
intrapersonal struggle to overcome evil and to live a just
and good life.
Common Islamic Terms
Masjid
The Arabid word for “mosque”. The three holiest
mosques are located in the Middle East. Al-Masjid Al-
Haram and Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi are located in Mecca and
Madinah, Saudi Arabia, where Islam originated. The third
is Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem.
Muhammad
The last and final prophet who establishes The monotheistic
religion of Islam in the midst of a ci mate of political
polytheism. He was born in 570 and died in 632 A.D. He was
a husband, father, religious leader, political leader, and
reformer. The contents of the Quran were revealed to him at
the age of 40 through the angel Gabriel.
Common Islamic Terms
Muslim (or Moslem):
A believer in Islam. The term “Muhammadan" is viewed
as incorrect and inappropriate to Muslims because it
implies that they worship Muhammad in the way
Christians worship Christ. Moslems assert, as a primary
article of faith, that they believe in Allah and do not deify
Muhammad.
Qur’an (or
Koran)
The holy scripture of Islam revealed b Allah to Muhammad
over a period of 23 years. The Quran is maintained in
Arabic and studied in its original form. Translation of the
text is said to dilute or reinterpret the original meaning of
the text.
Common Islamic Terms
Zakah
Giving alms, one of the five pillars of Islam. The money
collected is to be used for the welfare of society in the
following categories: the poor, the needy, the
sympathizers, the captives, the debtors, the cause of
Allah, the wayfarers, and those who collect it. The
amount collected ranges from 2.5% to 10%, depending
on the resources of the individual.
Five Pillars of Islam
1. The Declaration of Faith
The first article of faith in Islam is to recognize the existence of one Supreme
Be-ing. Muslims bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah
and that Muhammad is his messenger to all humanity until the day of
judgment. The prophethood of Muhammad obliges Muslims to follow his
exemplary life as a model.
2. Daily Prayers
Muslims offer prayers five times a day as part of their religious duty to
remain focused on spiritual connectedness. These prayers are scheduled
throughout the day at designated times and are observed at work, in
school, and at home. The result is a rhythm of daily life that is punctuated
with communal religious devotion.
Five Pillars of Islam
3. Fasting during Ramadan
Islam uses both solar and lunar calendars, and the observance of daytime fasting
occurs during the ninth lunar month, Ramadan. During this 28-day period Muslim
adults abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset. The purpose of this
communal fast, known as sawm, is to develop restraint, self-control, self-
discipline, and self-obedience. Pregnant or lactating women, children, the sick,
and the elderly are excused from fasting, but those who can afford it may be
expected to provide a meal to a poor person for each day they cannot fast.
Five Pillars of Islam
4. Giving alms to the
poor
Zakat is an annual payment or tithe of a percentage of income given to
the poor or needy. All Muslims are bound by this religious duty, although
the amount is based on the individual's ability to pay.
5. Pilgrimage to Mecca
Each Muslim is obligated to perform haji, a pilgrimage to the holy city of
Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Hajj is required once during a lifetime, provided
that the individual Muslim is physically and financially able.
DIETARY PRACTICES
Islamic dietary laws are governed by the concepts of
Halal (permissible) and Haram (forbidden).
Haram Foods:
The most prominent prohibitions include pork and its by-products,
alcohol, and blood. Meat from animals not slaughtered according to
Islamic rites (Dhabihah) is also considered haram.
DIETARY PRACTICES
Halal Foods:
Permissible foods include all vegetables, fruits, grains, and meat
from animals (like cattle, sheep, goats, poultry) that have been
slaughtered ritually (Dhabihah), with the animal's throat cut while
invoking Allah's name. Seafood is generally considered halal,
though there can be varying interpretations.
Fasting:
During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from all food and drink from
dawn until sunset. This has significant implications for medication
administration and nutritional intake.
FASTING DURING
RAMADAN
Fasting is meant to encourage spiritual reflection during the holy
month.
Start and end How fasting Who is exempt from
of fasting works fasting
Muslims begin fasting at No eating or drinking, Children, the elderly, the sick,
dawn after a pre-dawn meal including water, is allowed and pregnant or breastfeeding
and break their fast at during daylight hours. women are exempt from
sunset. fasting.
COMMON MUSLIM
•
PHRASES
“God willing” or “If God wills it” (pronounced in sha'allah)
is a common phrase used regarding future events to
acknowledge the limited control of humans and the supremacy of
Allah in daily life.
Example: One person asks, when will you return? The respondent will
often say something like "God willing, I will come again tomorrow.“
In = If
Sha’a = Wills
Allah = God Meaning “If Allah wills it”
COMMON MUSLIM
PHRASES
Usage Expresses hope or intention for future events, acknowledging
that everything happens by Allah’s will.
Example:
I’ll finish my studies next year, Insha’Allah
We’ll meet again soon, Insha’Allah.
The correct Arabic phrase is three separate words: “( إن شاء اللهIn Sha’
Allah”).
COMMON MUSLIM
•
PHRASES
“Thanks be to God” (pronounced hamdu'allah)
is a phrase commonly used to acknowledge the hand of God in
all things good.
Example: When common greetings are exchanged, such as “How are
you today?” the response is often “I am doing well. Thanks be to God.’
All praise and thanks be to Allah.
Expresses gratitude, contentment, and recognition of Allah’s blessings.
The phrase is composed of three parts: "Al" (the), "Hamd" (praise),
and "Lillah" (for Allah).
COMMON MUSLIM
PHRASES
Meaning - Praise be to Allah
When It’s Used – After eating, recovering, receiving good news, or
simply expressing gratitude
In common Muslim speech, “Alhamdulillah” is used similarly to “Thank
God” in English, but richer in meaning, as it acknowledges that all
praise and gratitude solely belong to Allah. Sometimes it is
abbreviated or pronounced as “Hamdullah” or “Hamdulillah,” but the
full form “Alhamdulillah” is most accurate.
SOCIAL DIFFERENCES IN
ISLAMIC CULTURE
Islamic culture shares several social customs with other
cultural and religious groups in the U.S.
Family Structure: Emphasis on extended family is common
01 among Muslims and other historically Islamic communities.
Modesty in Clothing: Distinct styles for women reflect
02 modesty, a value also seen in Amish and Orthodox Jewish
traditions.
Dietary Practices: Avoidance of pork aligns with similar
03 prohibitions in Judaism.
SOCIAL SUPPORT
Because family members prefer to live in close proximity and typically
spend a lot of time together, the extended family can provide a great
deal of support if there are problems in the nuclear family. For example,
if a married couple is experiencing problems, it is usually apparent or
known to some degree. Individually, the husband or wife will often
confer with a trusted family member about the problem.
SOCIAL SUPPORT
Regardless of the nature of the problem, the family mobilizes to
problem-solve or to reconcile differences between the partners.
Although divorce is permitted in Islam, divorce is not preferable when
children are involved. In general, problems of an individual or an
individual nuclear family are also the concerns of the family group.
THE CRISIS OF INFERTILITY
Fertility problems are viewed as particularly disastrous for married
partners.
• Children hold “high value” in families from Islamic countries.
• Infertility can be grounds for divorce in their country of origin.
• Polygamy is sometimes used to address infertility in men, but it is not
allowed in the U.S.
• Infertile Muslim women in the U.S. may face “risk of unwanted
divorce”.
• Infertile men may be “rejected by their wives”, often with support
THE CRISIS OF INFERTILITY
• Sperm or egg donation is “not acceptable” under Islamic law, as
it violates lineage and family identity.
• Adoption outside the family is discouraged.
• Adoption of orphaned family members is considered a family
obligation and right.
COVERED
WOMEN
• Muslim girls are taught the importance of
modesty as they grow up.
• At puberty, a girl can choose to begin covering
as part of her religious and cultural identity.
• This marks a rite of passage and symbolizes her
evolving role in the family and community.
Hijab Practice
The hijab represents
modesty, humility, and
devotion to faith.
Particularly covering of the
hair and arms in public.
It is meant to avoid pride or
showiness in appearance,
similar to modest dress
among Amish women or
Catholic nuns.
However, they can remove
their hijab at home or in the
presence of female
relatives/friends.
COVERED
WOMEN
Women practicing hijab often avoid physical
closeness with men:
• No handshakes with men.
• Avoid sitting beside men in public
transportation like buses or planes.
• Male care providers are prohibited to
perform physical assessment or provide
personal care.
Hijab Practice
Men are required to cover
the part of their body known
as awrah, which is the area
between the navel and the
knees.
Gold jewelry and pure silk
are forbidden for men.
The recommended length of
their garments is above the
ankles, below it are
considered a sin.
SEX AND MARRIAGE
Modesty and Gender Separation
01 Sex outside of marriage is strongly discouraged.
02 Modesty among women is emphasized as a core
value.
03 Same sex socialization is encouraged among youth to
uphold moral boundaries.
SEX AND MARRIAGE
Modesty and Gender Separation
04 Mosque sponsored activities and events typically separate
men and women.
05 Weddings often feature separate but adjoining spaces
for men and women; children may move freely
between rooms.
Dating and Marriage Practices
01 Dating begins only with serious intent to marry, and
typically requires family approval especially from the
woman’s side.
02 Marriage selection is a planned process, involving
extended family input.
Strong
Good
Family
Education
CRITERIA
backgroun
d FOR A
Share SUITABLE
Muslim
faith PARTNER
Stable job
Compatible
temperame
nt
Interfaith Marriage Views
01 Muslim families may accept marriage with non-
Muslims.
02 Christian families from Islamic backgrounds are
generally less accepting of marriage with Muslims.
Cultural Impact
Less pressure for dating and premarital sex
01 due to communal norms.
Greater emphasis on reputation, education,
02 employment, and family integrity.
Families don’t arrange marriages directly but
03 actively guide partner selection to avoid unsuitable
matches.
NURSING
IMPLICATIONS
Modesty and Covered Women
1. Be aware that many Muslim women wear the hijab or other
modest clothing, and may prefer to keep their hair, arms, and
body covered.
2. Female patients may avoid shaking hands with male providers
or sitting next to men in public spaces.
3. Physical examinations may be restricted due to modesty
concerns; whenever possible, a female nurse or physician should
provide care (e.g., breast or pelvic exams).
4. Respect requests for privacy during medical procedures and
allow women to remain covered as much as possible.
NURSING
IMPLICATIONS
Sex and Marriage
1. Sexual activity outside of marriage is highly discouraged;
sensitivity is required when discussing sexual health.
2. Recognize the strong influence of family approval in
marriage and relationships; families may be involved in
medical decisions.
3. Be cautious and respectful when addressing topics related
to reproductive health, intimacy, or marriage.
NURSING
IMPLICATIONS
Stereotypes and Misconceptions
1. Not all Muslim women avoid education or work; respect
individual choices rather than stereotypes.
2. Be mindful of the stigma around associating Muslims with
violence or oppression; approach patients with cultural
humility and without prejudice.
NURSING
IMPLICATIONS
Family Dynamics
1. Family is central in decision-making. Expect strong
family involvement in care planning.
2. When discussing treatment or prognosis, involving
family members may be necessary and culturally
appropriate.
NURSING
IMPLICATIONS
Practical Care Considerations
1. Allow for prayer times and provide a clean, quiet
space if possible.
2. Be aware of dietary restrictions (halal food,
avoidance of pork and alcohol).
3. Respect fasting practices during Ramadan, but also
educate patients when fasting may need to be
modified for health reasons.
VIDEO PRESENTATION ABOUT
ISLAM
THANK YOU!
Presentation prepared by Group 2
