In Islam, the ceremonies commemorating events in a Muslim's life.
Birth
There is no ceremony to initiate children into Islam, because a person is born into the faith. (The ceremony of Bismillah, at the age of four to five, marks the beginning of a child's learning about Islam.) The first thing a newborn baby should hear is the adhan (call to worship). The baby's father whispers the adhan in the infant's right ear, and the call to stand up for prayer (iquamah) in the left ear. When the child is seven days old, the aqiqah ceremony takes place. The baby's head is shaved to symbolize a complete cleansing, and the weight of the hair is given away in silver or gold as charity. A celebratory meal of sheep or goat is cooked (one animal is used if the infant is a girl, two for a boy). A third is given to the poor, a third to relatives, and the remainder is used to feed the family who are present.
Naming
The child's name often refers to God, and one of the 99 names of Allah might be used, or a reference to Allah; for example, the name Abdullah means ‘servant of God’. Many parents follow the custom of asking the imam to choose the name.
Circumcision
Between eight days and ten years of age, a boy may be circumcised (khitan). This practice is undertaken because the Sunna(traditional law) says that the prophets were circumcised.
Marriage
Marriages are often arranged (or ‘assisted’), with consent. Mixed marriages are not forbidden, but children have to be brought up in the faith of the father, so women are restricted to Muslim partners. If a man marries someone who is not Christian or Jewish, the bride will be expected to convert to Islam. Men are allowed to take up to four wives, but are obliged to have permission from the first, and all wives must be treated equally. This is rare in many countries, as the civil law of the country must be adhered to. The custom is seen to protect the women in Islamic society, so that they will have the opportunity to be part of a family and child‐rearing if they so wish. A sum of money called the dowry is paid to the bride by the groom's family. She will use some of this to prepare for the wedding and will keep the money even if the marriage ends in divorce. The wedding ceremony is a simple contractual event that may take place in a mosque, and can be conducted by two male witnesses; verses from the Koran are read. A celebration, or walima, that includes feasting and the giving of gifts, takes place at some time during the next three days. Adultery is regarded as abhorrent and strictly forbidden. Although Muslims disapprove of divorce, it is a simple process under Islamic law. Children past breastfeeding age will go to the custody of their father; this is viewed as helpful to the mother, so that she does not have to struggle as a single parent.
Funeral
A Muslim approaching death will try to ensure that the recitation of the Shahadhah (testimony) will be the last words to pass his or her lips. After a person has died, it is important that the funeral is arranged as soon as possible. Members of the same sex will wash the body three or more times (always an odd number of times), beginning with those areas washed during wudu (ritual ablution). The body is perfumed and wrapped in three cloths for a man and five cloths for a woman. If the person has been on the hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca), the cloths that they wore will be used.
There should be no distinction between the burial of rich and poor. Cremation is strictly forbidden, as is the placing of monuments or headstones. It is preferable for there to be no coffin. The ceremony refers to Jdment Day(Rawmuddin), when the dead come back to life. The body is placed with the face and right side towards Mecca. The Muslim custom for mourning varies in different areas and sects. It may last from seven days to four months, during which time no celebrations are allowed. Muslims believe in life after death (akhirah, so extreme and lengthy grieving is seen as unnecessary. Graves are visited at the Eid ul-Fitr the feast marking the end of Ramadan.
