Who was the Hindu god of the underworld?

The Hindu god of the underworld was named Yama. Also the god of death, Yama is believd by Hindus to have been the first mortal (human) who died. As the first human, he was also the first one to make his way to the home of the gods and so became the ruler of the underworld. The Hindus depict Yama in art with red or green skin, red clothes, and riding a buffalo. In his left hand, he holds a rope that he uses to pull the soul from a dead body.

What do Buddhists mean by karma?

According to Buddhists, karma, or "actions," sow seeds that later produce consequences. That is to say, whatever occurs happens because something causes it. In turn, every happening causes other happenings. Buddhists understand that good deeds have good results; bad deeds produce bad results. They also believe that karma's results can go beyond death to affect other lives.

What does mazel tov mean?

The biblical term mazel means "planet," "star," or "sign of the zodiac." Gradually, mazel came to mean "a sign of luck." Tov is the Hebrew word for "good." Gradually the expression developed and is frequently heard at weddings and joyous occasions to wish someone good luck.

What do Muslims mean by zakat?

Zakat is one of the Five Pillars or Five Foundations of Practice in Islam. It is the practice of giving a portion of one""'s wealth to charity. Muslims give zakat to needy people, including travelers. The donations are used to establish schools, colleges, and other facilities for pilgrims and other travelers. The other Pillars are: shahada (the belief that there is one God, Allah), salat (reciting five daily prayers), fasting (a month-long fast during a period known as Ramadan), and hajj (the making of a pilgrimage to the holy site of Mecca in Saudi Arabia).

Why do so many European churches dating to the Middle Ages have stained-glass windows?

Actually, the idea of creating stained glass to beautify and inspire dates back to Roman times. However, the classic technique of using painted, colored glass set within lead strips reached its peak during the Middle Ages. During the 1300s and 1400s, skilled artisans glorified God through their art. The windows they created adorned European churches, taught Biblical stories, and promoted religious faith through their emotionally powerful scenes. The five oldest surviving windows, created between A.D. 1000 and 1100, depict Biblical prophets and are located in the cathedral of Augsburg, Germany.

Today Islam is widely practiced in North Africa. How did this Middle Eastern religion spread? Were any religions practiced before Islam?

Within decades after the prophet Muhammad's death in A.D. 632, his Muslim followers had spread Islam across the Middle East and into northern Africa. By A.D. 700, they had conquered the Berbers of northwest Africa. Many Berbers did convert to Islam; others, however, continued to observed their ancient religious traditions that focused on the belief in spiritual beings. In the A.D. 600s, there were also some Berbers who followed Christianity, and some who practiced Judaism.

I read that Kairouan is a holy city for Muslims. Is that true?

Yes, it's true. Among Muslims, Kairouan ranks fourth behind Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem. When, in A.D. 670, the warrior Uqbah ibn Nafi reached the land known today as Tunisia in North Africa, he told his troops he would found a city that would serve as a support camp for Islam until the end of time. He then threw down his lance and declared, "Here!" For Muslims, two discoveries were seen as signs from Allah (the Muslim name for God) and determined the exact site of the city. At Kairouan, they found a watering place like the sacred spring at Mecca, the holiest Muslim city. They also found a gold cup similar to the one Uqbah had lost in Mecca.

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