Islam

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Almost all Muslims belong to one of two major denominations, the Sunni (85%) and Shi'a (15%). The schism developed in the late 7th century following disagreements over the religious and political leadership of the Muslim community. Islam is the predominant religion in Africa and the Middle East, as well as in major parts of Asia. Large communities are also found in China, the Balkan Peninsula in Eastern Europe and Russia. There are also large Muslim immigrant communities in other parts of the world, such as Western Europe. About 20% of Muslims live in Arab countries, 30% in the Indian subcontinent and 15.6% in Indonesia, the largest Muslim country by population.

Names

The word Islam is a verbal noun originating from the triliteral root s-l-m, and is derived from the Arabic verb Aslama, which means "to accept, surrender or submit." Thus, Islam means acceptance of and submission to God, and believers must demonstrate this by worshipping him, following his commands, and avoiding polytheism. Another technical meaning in Islamic thought is as one part of a triad of islam, faith and excellence, where it represents acts of worship and Islamic law.

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Religion and state

Islamic law does not distinguish between "matters of church" and "matters of state"; the ulema function as both jurists and theologians. In practice, Islamic rulers frequently bypassed the Sharia courts with a parallel system of so-called "Grievance courts" over which they had sole control. As the Muslim world came into contact with Western secular ideals, Muslim societies responded in different ways. Turkey has been governed as a secular state ever since the reforms of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. In contrast, the 1979 Iranian Revolution replaced a mostly secular regime with an Islamic republic led by the Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini.

Etiquette and diet

Many practices fall in the category of adab, or Islamic etiquette. This includes greeting others with "as-salamu "alaykum" ("peace be unto you"), saying bismillah ("in the name of God") before meals, and using only the right hand for eating and drinking. Islamic hygienic practices mainly fall into the category of personal cleanliness and health, such as the circumcision of male offspring.

Islamic burial rituals include saying the Salat al-Janazah ("funeral prayer") over the bathed and enshrouded dead body, and burying it in a grave. Muslims, like Jews, are restricted in their diet, and prohibited foods include pig products, blood, carrion, and alcohol. All meat must come from a herbivorous animal slaughtered in the name of God by a Muslim, Jew, or Christian, with the exception of game that one has hunted or fished for oneself. Food permissible for Muslims is known as halal food.

Community

Demographics

Commonly cited estimates of the Muslim population in 2007 range from 1 billion to 1.8 billion. Approximately 85% are Sunni and 15% are Shi'a, with a small minority belonging to other sects. Some 30C40 countries are Muslim-majority, and Arabs account for around 20% of all Muslims worldwide. South Asia and Southeast Asia contain the most populous Muslim countries, with Indonesia, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh having more than 100 million adherents each.

According to U.S. government figures, in 2006 there were 20 million Muslims in China. In the Middle East, the non-Arab countries of Turkey and Iran are the largest Muslim-majority countries; in Africa, Egypt and Nigeria have the most populous Muslim communities. Islam is the second largest religion after Christianity in many European countries.

Mosques

A mosque is a place of worship for Muslims, who often refer to it by its Arabic name, masjid. The word mosque in English refers to all types of buildings dedicated to Islamic worship, although there is a distinction in Arabic between the smaller, privately owned mosque and the larger, "collective" mosque. Although the primary purpose of the mosque is to serve as a place of prayer, it is also important to the Muslim community as a place to meet and study. Modern mosques have evolved greatly from the early designs of the 7th century, and contain a variety of architectural elements such as minarets.

Family life

The basic unit of Islamic society is the family, and Islam defines the obligations and legal rights of family members. The father is seen as financially responsible for his family, and is obliged to cater for their well-being. The division of inheritance is specified in the Qur'an, which states that most of it is to pass to the immediate family, while a portion is set aside for the payment of debts and the making of bequests. The woman's share of inheritance is generally half of that of a man with the same rights of succession. Marriage in Islam is a civil contract which consists of an offer and acceptance between two qualified parties in the presence of two witnesses. The groom is required to pay a bridal gift (mahr) to the bride, as stipulated in the contract.

A man may have up to four wives if he believes he can treat them equally, while a woman may have only one husband. In most Muslim countries, the process of divorce in Islam is known as talaq, which the husband initiates by pronouncing the word "divorce". Scholars disagree whether Islamic holy texts justify traditional Islamic practices such as veiling and seclusion (purdah). Starting in the 20th century, Muslim social reformers argued against these and other practices such as polygamy, with varying success. At the same time, many Muslim women have attempted to reconcile tradition with modernity by combining an active life with outward modesty. Certain Islamist groups like the Taliban have sought to continue traditional law as applied to women.

Denominations

Islam consists of a number of religious denominations that are essentially similar in belief but which have significant theological and legal differences. The primary division is between the Sunni and the Shi'a, with Sufism generally considered to be a mystical inflection of Islam rather than a distinct school. According to most sources, approximately 85% of the world's Muslims are Sunni and approximately 15% are Shi'a, with a small minority who are members of other Islamic sects.

Sunni

Sunni Muslims are the largest group in Islam. In Arabic, as-Sunnah literally means "principle" or "path". The Sunnah (the example of Muhammad's life) as recorded in the Qur'an and the hadith is the main pillar of Sunni doctrine. Sunnis believe that the first four caliphs were the rightful successors to Muhammad; since God did not specify any particular leaders to succeed him, those leaders had to be elected. Sunnis recognize four major legal traditions, or madhhabs: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali.

All four accept the validity of the others and a Muslim might choose any one that he or she finds agreeable, but other Islamic sects are believed to have departed from the majority by introducing innovations (bidah). There are also several orthodox theological or philosophical traditions within Sunnism. For example, the recent Salafi movement sees itself as restorationist and claims to derive its teachings from the original sources of Islam.

Shi'a

The Shi'a, who constitute the second-largest branch of Islam, believe in the political and religious leadership of Imams from the progeny of Ali ibn Abi Talib, who according to most Shi'a are in a state of ismah, meaning infallibility. They believe that Ali ibn Abi Talib, as the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, was his rightful successor, and they call him the first Imam (leader), rejecting the legitimacy of the previous Muslim caliphs.

To most Shi'a, an Imam rules by right of divine appointment and holds "absolute spiritual authority" among Muslims, having final say in matters of doctrine and revelation. Although the Shi'a share many core practices with the Sunni, the two branches disagree over the proper importance and validity of specific collections of hadith. The Shi'a follow a legal tradition called Ja'fari jurisprudence. Shi'a Islam has several branches, the largest of which is the Twelvers, while the others are the Ismaili, the Seveners, and the Zaidiyyah.

Sufism

Not strictly a denomination, Sufism is a mystical-ascetic form of Islam. By focusing on the more spiritual aspects of religion, Sufis strive to obtain direct experience of God by making use of "intuitive and emotional faculties" that one must be trained to use. Sufism and Islamic law are usually considered to be complementary, although Sufism has been criticized by some Muslims for being an unjustified religious innovation. Most Sufi orders, or tariqas, can be classified as either Sunni or Shi'a.

Islam Highlights

Islam Highlights Related

Islam attraction highlights

• Id Kah Mosque
• Great Mosque
• Grand Kuqa Mosque
• Qingjing Mosque
• Dongguan Mosque

Islam FAQ & Travelers's Tips

1. Who are the Chinese?
2. Is there any religion that was originated from China?
3. What do religious Chinese people believe in nowadays?
4. What is the policy of China to Ethnic Groups?
5. What was the most powerful spiritual statement a person in ancient china could make?
6. Why China is called one of the Four Great Ancient Civilizations?
7. How to understand the insight of Buddhism?
8. What determines an ethnic group?
9. Where did the names of ethnic groups come from?

1. Who are the Chinese?

   The people of China have always been a diverse group. Beginning in 221 B.C.E. the ethnic groups of China were first unified under the Qin Dynasty. This short-lived dynasty was followed by one of the longest, the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.E.- 220 C.E.)

   Today the majority of the Chinese population (92%) is called Han or "sons of Han after this dynasty". Within the Han majority are many ethnic groups that speak 7 mutually unintelligible dialects such as Cantonese and Fujianese and maintain their own customs and traditions. Despite their differences these ethnic groups have been absorbed into the Han majority. A common written language and a strong central government, both created by the Qin and refined by the Han and later dynasties, are the ties that hold the Han majority together.

   Fifty-six ethnic groups, including the majority Han people, live in China. An ethnic group is recognized by the Chinese government as a group of people of common origin living in a common area, using a common language, and having a sense of group identity in economic and social organization and behavior. Non-Han ethnic groups are referred to as ethnic minorities but are considered Chinese citizens. Since 1949 ethnic minorities have been politically equal to the Han majority and are guaranteed special representation in the National People's Congress.

   The constitution prohibits discrimination against and oppression of any ethnicity. Historically this has not always been the case nor have the Han always dominated China's political and economic arenas. Twice, China was ruled by non-Han nationalities: The Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368) established by the Mongolians, and China's last dynasty, the Qing, ruled by the Manchus. The First Republic of China (1911) recognized the Han, Manchu, Mongolian, Hui (Muslim) and Tibetan people through its five colored flag. But persecution and forced assimilation into the majority way of life under the Guomindang (National People's Party 1928-1937) and during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) created tension between the Han and the ethnic minorities, some which still exist today. Through financial aid, material resources and exemptions to national policies like the "one child" policy for ethnic minority in urban areas, the government is working towards its goal of a "unified, multi-ethnic state" as declared in the constitution.
   




2. Is there any religion that was originated from China?

   Yes. China is the homeland of Taoism.
   
   Taoism refers to a variety of related philosophical and religious traditions and concepts. These traditions have influenced East Asia for over two thousand years and some have spread internationally. The Chinese character Tao (or Dao, depending on the romanisation scheme) means "path" or "way", although in Chinese religion and philosophy it has taken on more abstract meanings. Taoist propriety and ethics emphasize the Three Jewels of the Tao: compassion, moderation, and humility. Taoist thought focuses on wu wei (non-action), spontaneity, transformation and emptiness/omnipotence. An emphasis is placed on the link between people and nature, and that this link lessens the need for rules and order, leading one to a better understanding of the world and one's surroundings.
   
   Nature and ancestor spirits are common in popular Taoism. Organized Taoism distinguishes its ritual activity from that of the folk religion, which some professional Taoists (Daoshi) view as debased. This sort of shamanism is eschewed for an emphasis on internal alchemy among the "elite" Taoists.
   
   Chinese alchemy, astrology, cuisine, several Chinese martial arts, Chinese traditional medicine, fengshui, and many styles of qigong breath training disciplines are intertwined with Taoism throughout history.




3. What do religious Chinese people believe in nowadays?

   China is a country with a great diversity of religious beliefs. As the communication developed during the long history of China, Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism have become some main religion for modern Chinese people.

   • Buddhism has a history of 2,000 years in China. Currently China has 13,000-some Buddhist temples and about 200,000 Buddhist monks and nuns. Among them are 120,000 lamas and nuns, more than 1,700 Living Buddhas, and 3,000-some temples of Tibetan Buddhism and nearly 10,000 Bhiksus and senior monks and more than 1,600 temples of Pali Buddhism.
     
     
   • Islam was introduced into China in the seventh century. Nowadays in China there are ten national minorities, including the Hui and Uygur, with a total population of 18 million, whose faith is Islam. Their 30,000-odd mosques are served by 40,000 Imams and Akhunds.
     
     
   • Catholicism was introduced into China intermittently in the seventh century, but it had not spread widely until after the Opium War in 1840. At present, China has four million Catholics, 4,000 clergy and more than 4,600 churches and meeting houses.
     
     
   • Protestantism was first brought to China in the early 19th century and spread widely after the Opium War. There are about 10 million Protestants, more than 18,000 clergy, more than 12,000 churches and 25,000-some meeting places throughout China.
     
     
   China has the following national religious organizations: Buddhist Association of China, Taoist Association of China, Islamic Association of China, Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, Chinese Catholic Bishops' College, Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee of the Protestant Churches of China, and China Christian Council.
   In the course of the country's long history, the various religions in China have become part of the traditional Chinese thinking and culture. It is traditional for Chinese religious believers to love their country and religions. The Chinese government supports and encourages the religious circles to unite the religious believers to actively participate in the construction of the country.
   



4. What is the policy of China to Ethnic Groups?

   China is a united and multi-national country. China has 56 ethnic groups. Han people accounts for about 92 percent of the whole population and the rest of the people from other nationalities over 8 percent. During the long process of historical development, many people from various minority nationalities gradually get used to living in compact communities in areas mainly populated by Han people.
   
   A new policy towards the many ethnic groups of China is: all ethnic groups within the boundaries of the People's Republic of China are equal. They establish unity and mutual aid among themselves, and shall oppose imperialism and public enemies in their midst so that the People's Republic of China will become a big fraternal and cooperative family comprising all its ethnic groups. 'Greater nationalism' and 'local nationalism' should be opposed. Acts of discrimination, oppression and dividing the various nationalities should be prohibited.

   Many Ethnic Groups protected by this policy retain their own traits. Under this policy, many ethnic groups develop well in politics, economy, culture, and religion. Some influential ethnic groups such as: Yao Ethnic Group, Zhuang Ethnic Group, Miao Ethnic Group, Uygur Ethnic Group, Tibetan Ethnic Group, Dong Ethnic Group
   



5. What was the most powerful spiritual statement a person in ancient china could make

   Being empty was the highest spiritual to ancient Chinese people. Being empty doesn't refer to being mindless, nevertheless, when someone wouldn't think highly of material substance, he wouldn't care the existence of anything, because having equals not having, and vice versa. When one doesn't care anything's existence, he can concentrate on the process of his project and finally fulfill his personal achievement.

   Now you might ask: how can one achieve anything without the help of material substance. Well, materialism can be the very cause of failure. Caring too much about substance around you will distract you or lead you to a wrong way. There is a Chinese saying: there is always a way to climb up a mountain, which means, caring too much about substance is not necessary because everything you need will come to you eventually.
   
   



6. Why China is called one of the Four Great Ancient Civilizations?

   The history of China is told in traditional historical records that refer as far back as the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors about 5,000 years ago, supplemented by archaeological records dating to the 16th century BC. China is one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations. Chinese civilization originated with city-states in the Yellow River valley. 221 BC is the commonly accepted year when China became unified under a large kingdom or empire. Successive dynasties in Chinese history developed bureaucratic systems that enabled the Emperor of China to control the large territory.
   
   With the development of the economy of China, China becomes very strong and affluent. Many areas form their own cultural environment. The customs, living style, economic conditions and so on is different from other areas. They form their special cultures. Some local culture are very famous and interesting, such as Shu Culture, Hakka Culture, Dongba Culture. While Lop Nur Culture exhibits to us the past ancient civilization of Lop Nur. Lop Nur Culture was a bright pearl on the ancient Silk Road.
   




7. How to understand the insight of Buddhism?

   Buddhism is one of five main religions existed in China. The essence of the Buddha's teachings is summed up in the Four Noble Truths of his first sermon. The Buddha's quest was to find a way beyond personal suffering, not through reliance on dogmas, creeds or philosophies but in actual experience based in insight. He ruthlessly exposed the nature of life realising that, due to impermanence and death, life can never be apart from suffering. This suffering arises primarily because we crave permanence, ego-enhancing credentials and safety: to go beyond suffering necessitates going beyond this craving, an endeavour that demands an examination of the self. The Buddha proclaimed: Life is suffering, Suffering is due to wanting, and especially wanting connected with the self, Suffering diminishes when this wanting is abandoned, the way how to do it.

   Chinese Zen, or Chan as it is called in China, is a way of life that encourages clarity of mind, compassion to all sentient beings and a wisdom that comes from going beyond the concerns of self. The famous Shaolin Temple is a Temple of Zen.



8. What determines an ethnic group?

   There are several aspects that determines whether one kind of people can form an ethnic group.

   • Distinct language: While hundreds of Chinese dialects are spoken across China, a minority language is not simply a dialect. Rather, it is a language with distinct grammatical and phonological differences from Chinese. Language families include Sino-Tibetan, Altaic, Indo-European, Austro-Asiatic, and Austronesian. Twenty-one ethnic minority groups have unique writing systems.
     
     
   • A Recognized Indigenous Homeland: A territory within the national boundaries of China, from which the group originated. Native history and mythologies are interwoven into this native land.
     
     
   • Distinctive Customs: Ranging from dress, marriage rituals, cuisine, religion, and so forth.
   
   
   • A Strong Sense of Identity: Feeling of relation with other members of the group, along with historically perceived friends and enemies among other groups.

9. Where did the names of ethnic groups come from?

   Many of the original Chinese names for minorities come from a long history of contempt. In 1951, the use of derogatory names was abolished, but the new, currently used names were set by Han Chinese. As the Communist Party has relaxed its iron grip in recent years, minorities have been given flexibility in choosing their own official names.