OVERVIEW OF ISLAMIC LAW Haram  -  expressly  prohibited. Wajib - expressly enjoined. Mukruh  -  disliked  but  not  prohibited. Mundub - recommended but not enjoined. Mubah - simply permitted through silence. Very few activities are prohibited. The vast majority of human activity falls under the last category. The Shari’ ah consists of morals, manners, and regulations ranging from worship to statecraft. Every devout  Moslem  is  expected  to  follow  the  code  of  behavior  advocated  in  the  Shari’ah.  The  complexity  of  the law demands extensive personal study. To dismiss Islamic law without understanding its roots, purpose, and breadth condemns one to a curtailed appreciation of the richness of Islamic life. Figure 1-8.—The Shari’ah, Islamic law. Under Islamic dietary laws, all fish is permitted. Milk is permitted as long as comes from an animal that is  an  approved  source  of  food.  Gluttony  and overindulgence in any food or drink are discouraged. In the  Islamic  culture,  hospitality  is  a  commitment. Holidays As an RP, you will need to recognize that Moslem personnel may request special leave or liberty to observe Islamic  holidays.  Figure  1-9  marks  the  Islamic  holidays and festivals observed by Moslems during the year. RITES Islamic rites are the traditional acts of worship. These rites are duties that all Moslems must perform, no matter where they may happen to live. In fact, it is the unified duty of all Moslems to provide the way and resources so that the followers of Islam can carry out these  duties  faithfully.  For  example,  before  a  Moslem engages  in  worship,  Islamic  law  requires  a  pre-prayer ablution, or washing, of the body with pure water. The law  demands  cleanliness  of  the  body,  the  clothes,  and the place wherever Islamic prayers may be held. In Islam, the law and the rites of worship are inseparable essentials. Ibadat The  obligatory  acts  of  worship,  or  ibadat,  are referred to as The Five Pillars of Islam. The ibadat includes the following acts or rites of worship: ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS Friday is the weekly day for special corporate worship and devotion. The following holidays and festivals Moslems observe during the year. l l l l l l l l Muslim New Year’s Day. Maulid-An  Nabi  -  the  Prophet’s  birthday. Isra’ - the Prophet’s night journey. Mi’Raj  - the Prophet’s ascension to the heavens. First Friday of Ramadan. Lailatul-Qadr  -  eve of 27 Ramadan. Eid ul-Fitr - marking the end of Ramadan. Eid ul-Adha - festival celebrating Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son. Figure  1-9.—Islamic  religious  holidays. . Skhahadah, the declaration of faith. Every day every Moslem must say, “There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet.” . Salat, the prescribed prayers. Salat is a recitation from  the  Holy  Qur’an  and  glorification  of  God accompanied by various bodily postures, such as those shown in figure 1-10. The performance of Salat must 1-22