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Download 2011 HSC Studies of Religion Exam solutions Question 4 — Islam
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2011 HSC Studies of Religion Exam solutions Question 4 — Islam (15 marks) (a) Summarise the contribution of ONE significant person or school of thought, other than Muhammad and the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs, to the development and expression of Islam. 3 Sufism or Tasawwuf in Arabic is an Islamic school of thought and it is recognised as the mystical branch of Islam, it is believed to have started approximately one hundred years after the death of Muhammad. Sufis have contributed hugely to Islamic and western literature and some believe that Sufis are responsible for shaping Islamic history. Sufism is based on the principle of love for all humanity and both Sunni and Shiite Muslims can also be Sufis. (b) Summarise the impact of the significant person or school of thought chosen in part (a). 4 Sufism is a minority group within Islam, but because Sufis show a strong devotion to God, Sufis have moulded Islamic thought throughout history. Sufis have contributed significantly to Islamic literature and writers and mystics such as Rabia al Adawiyya, Rumi, Omar Khayyám and Al-Ghazali are well known for their philosophical contributions to Sufi poetry and texts. Sufism is not confined to Islam and Sufi philosophy has extended beyond Islam into the western world. It has been cited by Western philosophers, writers and theologians. Sufis have been important in the dispersal of the Islamic faith taking the philosophy from the Middle East to Africa, India and the Asia. (c) All aspects of life are worship for a Muslim. 8 How well does the statement reflect the impact of the significant person or school of thought chosen in part (a)? The word Sufi derives from the word for wool because some of the early Sufis wore woollen garments, though some suggest that the word comes from the Greek ‘sophia’ or wisdom. Most importantly a Sufi is a person of religious learning. Sufism is not a sect of Islam; rather Sufism is a dimension or an alternate facet of Islam. Sufism’s goal is to worship Allah. Sufis believe that knowledge of Islam should be gained from instructors and not solely from Cambridge University Press books, these instructors or masters are experienced practitioners of Sufism and because of this, Sufism is based on a Master/Disciple relationship. Following the teaching – “Ask those who know if you know not” Qur’an 16:43. Tariqas or schools of Sufism exist around the world and many of these trace their lineage back for almost 1,300 years. Sufi scholars attempt to model themselves on their teachers and their spiritual lives. Sufis follow a path of spiritual development; this development involves stages of sincere contemplation and meditation through which a Sufi aims to become closer to Allah. A Sufi’s life is lived in total dedication to Allah and as such the life of a Sufi becomes a life dedicated to worship. Like all Muslims, Sufis believe in the oneness of Allah - Shahadah, pray five times a day - Salat, give alms to the poor - Zakat, fast at Ramadam and practice pilgrimage - Hajj, in fact Sufis adhere strictly to the outward realisation of Islam. In addition Sufis also adhere to a spiritual dimension of the faith. “In God, there is no sorrow or suffering or affliction. Sufi masters teach that ‘dhikr’ or remembrance of God, focuses the belief, knowledge, and faith of a Sufi by centreing his or her attention on God and the love for God alone. Sufis practice dhikr as a form of worship by reciting the divine names of God or verses from the Qur’an, this becomes a source of mediation and peace. Dhikr as practised by Sufis is the invocation of Allah's divine names, verses from the Qur'an, or sayings of the Prophet in order to glorify Him. Dhikr is encouraged either individually or in groups and is ultimately a source of tranquillity, “hearts become tranquil through the remembrance of Allah.” Qur’an 13:28. Sufism deepens a believer’s faith to a new level and as a disciple of Sufism moves from one stage to another he/she lessens their ego, selfishness and self-centeredness (nafs) and acquires through prayer and worship a greater closeness to Allah. “If you want to be free of all affliction and suffering, hold fast to God, and turn wholly to Him, and to no one else. Indeed, all your suffering comes from this: that you do not turn toward God and no one else.” Al Ghazali. Sufism emphasises that through selfless love for Allah, devotion, prayer, meditation, invocation and worship a person can rid oneself of ‘nafs’ and become closer to the divine. Cambridge University Press