“Let yourself be drawn by the stronger pull of that which you truly love.”
Jalal ad-Din Rumi (13th century Sufi poet)
Beliefs
Islam is an Arabic word which means willing submission to God. The root of the word Islam comes from a word meaning peace and Muslims believe it is the way of peace as laid down in the Qur’an. The Arabic word Allah means One God, and at the heart of the Muslim faith is belief in the unity and universality of God. Muslims also believe in the unity of mankind, under one father, Adam, and have a strong sense of the Muslim community or Ummah and an awareness of their solidarity with all Muslims worldwide. Muslims believe that God has sent a succession of prophets such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses and Jesus, and see Mohammed as the last and final prophet. Mohammed was born in Mecca in 570 CE and received revelations from God through the Angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years. These were recorded in Islam’s Holy Book known as the Quran, which is regarded as the literal word of God. Muslims are taught to recite the Quran in Arabic as any translation of the Holy Book is seen as inadequate. Around one fifth of the world’s population practises Islam.
Customs and practices
Islam has five pillars that represent the foundation of Islamic worship and practice:
- Shahadah: “There is no God but the one true God and Mohammed is his messenger”. Reciting this with intention three times makes someone a Muslim.
- Salat: Prayer five times a day at given times.
- Zakat: Two and a half percent of a Muslim’s assets over a given specified amount is given in welfare tax to benefit the poor.
- Hajj: An annual pilgrimage to Mecca which is a requirement at least once in a lifetime for those who can afford it.
- Sawm: During the month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar), Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink and sexual acts from dawn until sunset. The end of Ramadan marks the beginning of the festival of Eid ul-Fitr when Muslims visit the Mosque, give charity, exchange presents and cards, and celebrate with family and friends. Eid ul-Adha coincides with the completion of the Hajj and unites the whole Islamic community.
Muslim Community in Lincoln
There is a Muslim Community in Lincoln with a small centre on Orchard Street. Plans for the building of a new Mosque are currently in progress. Friday prayers are currently held at the Grandstand Centre (LN1 1SE), Carholme Rd/Saxilby Rd.
Exact prayer times and more information about the Islamic Association of Lincoln can be viewed here: www.lincolnmosque.com
Practical information
Prayer facilities for UoL staff and students are located in the Faith and Spirituality space at Witham House. The below rooms are available for your daily prayers and this is an inclusive space that you can use for your prayer. This is not the space for Jummah prayer.
- Brothers in WH0005
- Sisters in WH0004
Jummah Prayer
Friday congregation prayer is held on campus every Friday during term time between 1 pm – 2pm. Outside term time please join the local community at Grandstand Community Centre for Jummah prayer.
During the term time the Jummah Prayer is held in the Bridge House at BH0101.
The Students’ Union Islamic Society
The Islamic Society (Isoc) represents the spiritual and social needs of Muslim students at the University. Isoc provides support for followers of Islam amongst the student body, ensuring their needs are catered for. The society is also keen to encourage awareness and understanding of the Islamic faith.
They offer a range of activities and events to their members. For more information and to join the society please contact the Islamic society at Islamic@lincolsu.com.
Join the Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/ULIsoc/?fref=ts
Mosques near the University
Orchard St, Lincoln LN1 1XX
01522 543103
Jummah Prayer:
Grandstand Community Centre
Carholme Rd, Lincoln LN1 1SE