Diet, Celebrations, & Place of Worship
A Muslim may pray anywhere in the world whether he/she is in a Mosque, a house, an office, or outside. The whole world is a place of worship. It is preferable that Muslims pray in a congregation, however, they may also pray individually anywhere.
Diets
Islam allows Muslims to eat everything which is good for the health. It restricts certain items such as pork and its by-products, alcohol, and any narcotic or addictive drugs. Among the prohibited food is the meat of animals that are strangled, beaten to death, killed by a fall, killed by being smitten with the horn, and which beast have eaten, except those that have been slaughtered in the proper manner.
Among the forbidden food are the quadrupeds that seize their prey with their paws and teeth or talons, such as cats and tigers; and among the birds; crows, kites, eagles, and some other birds.
Other prohibited food includes the flesh of elephants, the flesh of any animal dying a natural death, the blood, the flesh of those animals that on which any name other than the name of Allah has been invoked when slaughtered, like those slaughtered for idols.
Prevention is better than treatment of a disease. Dieting is the safest way to better health. It is good to mention here that the personality character, behavior, and overall performance of the individual, are affected by the food eaten, and therefore, one has to select the best type of food for his good health.
There is thus a linkage between physical and mental health. A proverb related to this subject has been narrated as saying: "A sound mind is in a sound body".
Celebrations ('Eids)
Muslims have two celebrations of 'Bids: namely 'Bid of Sacrifice ('Bid Al-Adhhd) and 'Bid of Fast Breaking ('Bid Al-Fztr). The 'Bid of Sacrifice is in remembrance of the sacrifice to be by the Prophet Abraham of his son Ishmael. The 'Bid of Breakfasting comes after the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan.
Holiday
The holy day of the Muslims is Friday. It is a sacred day in the sight of Allah for many reasons. Muslims join together shortly after noon on Friday for the Friday Congregational (Jumu'ah) prayer in a Mosque. Attending such a prayer in Mosques is a
must for men while it is an option for women, who can pray at home instead.
The prayer leader (Imam) gives a sermon (Khutbah) and leads the Congregational Prayer.
The concept of the weekly holiday in Islam is different from that in other religions. Muslims can work on that day except during the time of the congregational prayer, when they are supposed to observe the prayer. Muslims do not believe that Allah rested on any day, nor does He ever get tired.
