UKS2 Topic: Early Islamic Civilisation

Block G: History of the Islamic Religion

Session 3 Resource pack

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Islam

Started c. CE 622

In the Quran, the holy book of Islam, there are many references to how wealthy Muslims should give some of their wealth to charity. For instance, in surah 2 of the Quran it says: “and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah.” Zakah is a portion of a Muslim's income that is given to charity and is known as one of the five pillars (essential behaviours) of Islam. At the festival of Eid al-Adha families should give a third of their meat to the poor so they may eat. During Ramadan and at the festival of Eid al-Fitr Muslims give as much to charity as possible before prayers. UK Muslims gave about £100 million to charity during Ramadan in 2016.

A family will sacrifice an animal, perhaps a goat or sheep, at the festival of Eid al-Adha, and eat a third of it, giving most of it away. This is done in remembrance of Ibrahim, who believed he had to sacrifice his son to Allah, but Allah prevented and made him sacrifice a sheep instead. Muslim scholars have said that it is not about an offering to Allah, but it is more important to share the meat with those who need it and to share a meal with your family, and shows devotion to others. Sacrifice is not one of the five pillars of Islam, though, so not every Muslim does this.

Sacrifice and charity in major world religions

Christianity

Started c. CE 30

In Christianity, the idea of giving to charity dates from the time of St Peter who helped Christianity spread after Jesus. He wrote to various churches and told them: “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” People in the medieval Christian church set up schools and hospitals for the poor. Monks took a vow of poverty and most of the food they grew in the monasteries was given to the poor.

Jesus is considered by Christians to have sacrificed himself for the sins of the people, and to have therefore made it possible for people to get to heaven. When some Christians drink wine and eat bread in church they believe it is truly the body and blood of Christ, while other Christians believe it only symbolises those things. Some Christians believe that this sacrifice Jesus made stopped all animal sacrifices that were common before Jesus' time, but some Christians still sacrifice animals at certain times of the year in religious ceremonies, for instance at the church of St George in Taybeh near Jerusalem.

Judaism

Started c. 2000 BCE

The Talmud, which is a collection of teachings and opinions of many Jewish rabbis over several hundred years until about CE 500, lays out the basis of rules on how to live for Jewish people. One of the main aspects of living a good life according to the Talmud is giving to charity, or tzedakah. A tenth of a person's wages should be given to charity. There are levels of charitableness, with giving before being asked seen as better as giving after being asked, and giving without knowing who you are giving to being even better. Between 1995 and 2000, $5.3 billion was given to charity by Jewish donors in America.

The Jewish festival of Passover, commemorates the story in the Jewish holy book, the Torah, of the Jews being freed from slavery in Egypt. In the story, God sent a plague to Egypt that would kill the first born in each house, and told the Jews to place a mark of lamb's blood on their doors so their first-born children would live. Originally the lamb would be sacrificed at the Temple in Jerusalem, but after its destruction in CE 70 this stopped happening and now a type of bread is eaten instead.

Hinduism

Started c. 3000 BCE

In the Hindu religion, it is thought good to be generous with people in need, or to pay for a big project or building that will help many people if you can afford it. The idea is called dāna and is mentioned in some of the religious books of the Hindus. For instance, in the Rigveda that was possibly written before the formal Hindu religion in 1500 BCE, it says: “Bounteous is he who gives unto the beggar who comes to him in want of food”. Sharing food with others is especially important, and if someone dies, for instance, the family will often put on a meal for the needy or donate money to a charity.

In the past animals were sacrificed on specific days for specific gods and goddesses in the Hindu religion of several hundred or thousand years ago. In the text called Vedas, which was written around 1000 BCE, nectar was given to the gods on one day and then a goat was sacrificed the next. Some Hindus still practice animal sacrifice but most do not. Instead many people give offerings to the gods like grain, butter and vegetables instead.

Buddhism

Started c. 500 BCE

Dana in Buddhism is the act of giving to someone else in need to help yourself remember to be less selfish. Buddhists also believe in reincarnation, which means your soul will be born again into a new body in this world, and if you have been charitable, your next life will be easier, whereas if you have not, your next life will be hard. It is also important in Buddhism not to make a lot of fuss about how much you give to charity. Charity given to temples and religious people is also good in Buddhism.

Buddha taught against animal sacrifice, saying that it was cruel and wasteful. He said people should stop killing animals and felling trees to make the sacrificial posts. He also made a plea for sacrifices to be replaced with charity.

Map of world religions c. CE 900