Category:Working Within the Islamic Tradition
From Association of Independent Readers and Rootworkers
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Islam is a monotheistic religion set forth in scriptural form in the Qur’an or Koran, a text considered by its adherents to be the verbatim word of God, whose name in Arabic is Allah. It is also described through teachings called the Sunnah, composed of the Hadith or saying of Muhammad, considered to be the last prophet of God. An adherent of Islam is called a Muslim. While not considered an official part of the religion of Islam, there are many Arabic folk beliefs, magical traditions and divination techniques, like geomancy and astrology that are practiced by Muslims.
Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable and the purpose of existence is to worship God. Muslims also believe that Islam is the complete and universal version of a primordial faith that was revealed at many times and places before, including through the Jewish spiritual figures Abraham and Moses, and through the Christian figure of Jesus, all of whom they consider prophets. Muslims maintain that previous messages and revelations from God to mankind have been partially changed or corrupted over time, but consider the Qur'an to be both the unaltered and the final revelation of God.
Religious concepts and practices of Islam include adherence to the Five Pillars of Islam, which are basic concepts and obligatory acts of worship, and following Islamic law, which touches on virtually every aspect of life and society, providing guidance on multifarious topics from banking and welfare, to warfare and the environment.
As in other world religions, Islam is sub-divided into co-existing but doctrinally distinct sub-groups or denominations. About 85% of all Muslims are Sunni, and about 15% are Shia.
About 13% of Muslims live in Indonesia, the largest Muslim country, in South Asia; 20% live in the Middle East; 2% live in Central Asia; 4% live in the remaining South East Asian countries; and 15% live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Sizable Muslim communities are also found in China, Russia, and parts of Europe. With over 1.5 billion followers or over 22% of earth's population as of 2009, Islam is the second-largest, and one of the fastest-growing, religions in the world.
In the tradition of Islamic folk-magic, some practitioners perform spirit work with the powerful spirits known in Arabic as djinn, or in English, as Genies. Others prescribe the benefits of the recitation of certain Surahs or Qur’anic verses.
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Islam and Hoodoo
Islam forms a minor current in hoodoo folk magic through its impact on African American culture and folk magic practices. The use of Quranic script has been found in old mojo bags discovered both in the United States as well as in Central Africa which indicate a historical link between hoodoo and Islam through its African roots. This influence was part of the mix of cultural practices that developed into hoodoo.
Given the population of African Americans who are Muslim as well as the migration of Muslims from other nations to the United States during the 20th century, some rootworkers work with Islamic elements to assist clients with a Muslim background. The adoption of these elements by rootworkers who work with Muslim clients forms a relatively minor current within the larger practices of hoodoo which is predominantly Protestant Christian in its background.
Rootworkers who work within an Islamic framework often prescribe Islamic prayers, employ work with Djinn, and include Quranic inscriptions on talismans.
See Also
Religion
- African Traditional and Diasporic Religions
- Buddhism
- Christianity
- Hinduism
- Islam
- Judaism
- Native American Religions
- New Thought
- Paganism and Neo-Paganism
AIRR Readers & Rootworkers Who Perform This Work for Clients
