Religion in Morocco
Religion in Morocco plays a central role in the country’s identity and societal fabric. Islam is the predominant religion, and the nation is known for its deep-rooted Islamic traditions and values. The overwhelming majority of Moroccans are followers of Sunni Islam, with the Maliki school of jurisprudence being the most widely practiced. Mosques are scattered throughout the country, serving not only as places of worship but also as community centers for social and educational activities. Religious festivals, such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, are joyously celebrated, bringing families and friends together to commemorate important occasions. The Moroccan constitution recognizes Islam as the official state religion and guarantees freedom of religious practice for non-Muslims. While Islam permeates various aspects of Moroccan life, the country also embraces cultural diversity, with small communities of Christians, Jews, and other religious groups peacefully coexisting. Overall, religion in Morocco is an integral part of the nation’s identity and heritage, shaping its traditions, architecture, art, and daily way of life.
Islam came to Morocco in the seventh century with Noussaire Ben Nafiaa
Islam has five pillars.
The first one is Shehada.
Declaration of faith a basic principle of Islam and a declaration that there is just one God, and that Mohammed is his worshipper and messenger.
The second is Prayer or Salat
Muslims pray 5 times a day facing Mecca. There is a prescribed way to pray and washing is essential beforehand
The third Alms or Zakat
2.5% of your income is suggested although in Ramadan there is an additional amount of the equivalent of 2.5 kilos of flour.
The fourth Ramadan or Saum
Muslims fast during Ramadan during the period from early morning prayer to sunset prayer. Ramadan is a time for reconnecting with your religion and your God, a time for feeling the suffering of the poor and needy and a time to reflect on being a better person.
The fifth Pilgrimage or Hajj
Muslims who are able should go to Mecca at least once in their lives. You should not spend money to go if you have debt nor should you borrow money to go
The Imane is the high level in Islam and the Imane has 6 pillars
to believe in one God: almighty all hearing all seeing. he is perfect, he is not a man or woman.
to believe in the angels like Gabriel and Israfil and Mikael .
to believe by the holy books: sent to the prophets, like Torah given to Moses,
Pasalams give it to David, the Bible given to Jesus and the holy Qur’an given to Mouhamed (peace be upon him)
to believe in all the prophets: Adam, Abraham, Noah, Joseph, Moses, Jesus, Mohamed, Jacob and Youna.
to believe in the day of judgement
to believe in destiny or almaktoub: Allah knows everything and Allah planned everything
Many of the stories in the Qur’an are similar if not the same as the stories in the bible. Many of the prophets are also the same. It is believed that the Qur’an came to the prophet Mohammed (PBUH) in the month of Ramadan.
A Muslim is not a Muslim if he doesn’t believe in Jesus. Islam teaches that Jesus was one of many messengers of God, a Messiah and also teaches of his miraculous birth. Islam teaches that Jesus gave life to the dead, sight to the blind and healed the lepers with Gods permission.
Baptism
Baptism is a great part of Islamic law. Baptism is a ceremony performed in thankfulness to God for the newborn child. It should be done on the 7th day after the birth and a sheep or goat is slaughtered in honour of the newborn baby.
Marabout
A man of faith to whom God gave power and who displays the power of making miracles. People came to him to worship and sacrifice animals and also to take a shower with special water. The marabout protects his community after his death. Many towns and cities were named after the local Marabout. These places are known by Sidi in front of their name.
Call To Prayer
The Islamic Call to prayer in Morocco called in Arabic Adhan أذان, is a special out loud call you will hear five times a day wherever there is a mosque in the whole country.
The purpose of the Adhan is to invite Muslims for their obligatory prayers and it should be called before each prayer by the person called ” Moazzin مؤذن “
A moazzin ( مؤذن ) calls using the minaret loudspeakers of the mosques to announce every prayer. When it is the time of the prayer, you may be surprised by several Adhan Calls at the same time in your entourage coming from different mosques with a lag of a few seconds between them.
meaning in English:
The words you will hear in the Mosque’s call to prayer in Morocco or in any Muslim country is
1/ Allahu Akbar! (Repeated two times).
Meaning: God is Great
2/ Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah (repeated two times).
Meaning: I bear witness that there is no god except the One God.
Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasool Allah (repeated two times).
Meaning: I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
3/ Hayya ala Salat (repeated two times).
Meaning: Hurry to prayer (Rise up for Prayer).
4/ Hayya ala L Falah (repeated two times).
Meaning: Hurry to success (Rise up for Salvation).
5/ Allahu Akbar (repeated two times).
Meaning: God is Great!
6/ La ilaha illa Allah (One time)
Meaning: There is no god except the One God.
For the pre-dawn prayer called Fajr, the following phrase is inserted between the fourth and fifth part between Hayya ala L Falah and Allahu Akbar), towards the end:
As salatu Khayrun Mina nawm (repeated two times).
Meaning: Prayer is better than sleep.
