Download Islam Lesson 2 - Cathedral of Hope

Circles of Hope- Islam, Lesson Two- written by Dan Peeler
Hagar, Ishmael and Islam, Lesson 2
Our story so far: Judaism, Christianity and Islam all trace their origins back to
the legends of Abraham fathering two sons: Isaac by Sarah, and Ishmael by
Hagar. The Jews and Christians teach they are in the direct line, either by birth or
spiritually, of Isaac. The Muslims teach they are in the direct line of Ishmael. The
setting of the Abraham stories is Palestine of about 3,800 years ago. The stories
were finally written down about 1,000 years later. Most progressive scholars
today do not consider any of the names or events as factual.
All of the faiths contain stories about their ancestors or prophets receiving the
word of God which they later put in writing. Common to all the faiths also are sets
of rules for their people to follow. There are actually 613 Commandments in the
Old Testament.
Questions:
1. Can you name the first 10? ( No other gods, no idols, respect God’s name,
remember the Sabbath, honor parents, do not kill, commit adultery, steal,
lie, covet.)
2. How many Commandments are in the New Testament? (2- Love God with
all your soul, heart, mind and strength, love your neighbor as yourself.)
Muhammad, Islam’s Prophet, is said to have received his revelations from God
(Allah) through the angel Gabriel. After we read each one, we will compare it to
Christianity and Judaism.
Islam’s Five Pillars of Behavior—commandments for the private lives of
Muslims in their dealings with God:
1. Shahadah: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.”
(Equivalent to the evangelical Christian’s confession of faith, this statement must
be repeated with heartfelt meaning at least once in a person’s lifetime.)
2. Structured Prayer: In order to keep life in perspective, Muslims must pray
five times a day, submitting one’s will to Allah as the only God. The prayers,
which contain praise, gratitude and supplication, are directed toward Meccaunifying Muslims from around the world. The ending posture, on the knees with
forehead to ground, symbolizes both the fetal position—readiness and
willingness to be reborn—and the human’s lowly place in the world—humility.
3. Charity: Muslims believe that those with wealth should help the burdens of
the less fortunate. Therefore, one is required to give away to the poor, annually,
1/40th of their holdings. ( In contrast to Christianity, which tithes only earnings,
Islam calls its followers to pass on not a portion of what they earn, but a portion
of what they choose to keep for themselves.)
4. Ramadan (the Holy Month): All able-bodied Muslims honor Ramadan by
fasting until sunset—in order to make one think, learn self-discipline, and develop
compassion by becoming sensitized to hunger.
5. Pilgrimage: At least once in a lifetime, all Muslims who are physically and
financially able are called to visit Mecca. As a means of heightening devotion to
God, it also provides an opportunity to meet Muslims of all races and countries,
in a multicultural environment.
In addition to these pillars, Islam also calls for an absence of gambling, stealing,
lying, eating pork, drinking intoxicants and sexual promiscuity.
Question :
1. If you were a Muslim, what do you think would be the hardest pillar to
practice?
The Social Teachings of Islam:
Question:
Compare each of the following teachings to social life in the USA. How
do they differ or remain the same?
1. Economics: Muslims believe that wealth should be in circulation, much
as blood flows through the body. The Koran directs that estates, for
example, are to be shared with all heirs, not just eldest. Whereas the Old
Testament forbids lending for interest, Muslims also understand lenders to
be “partners” in business, which justifies the interest charged.
2. Status of Women: Much misunderstood in Western culture, The Koran
and Islam actually enhanced the status of women, compared to the
ancient Hebrew laws. The Koran declares that daughters, too, must
inherit portions of an estate, has sanctified marriage with bridal approval of
the groom (and provided women the opportunity to initiate divorce, if
necessary).
3. Race Relations: Muslims believe in social equality for all races.
4. Use of Force: Although the very word “Islam” means “peace”, the Koran
allows for the defense of one’s self in time of attack—believing that
punishment should equal the injury imparted. (from the Hebrew law, “an
eye for an eye”) In times of conflict, all agreements should be honored. In
times of victory, all women, children, crops and sacred objects are to be
spared. Muslims adhere to strict religious tolerance for the conquered.
The “Jihad,” often mistaken as a broad holy war, refers essentially to a
Muslim’s internal struggle of right and wrong.
Mystic Beliefs and the Afterlife
Much like Christianity’s Contemplative Prayer, Hinduism’s Raja Yoga and
Religious Taoism, Islam also has a branch discipline of metaphysical study.
Sufism places more importance on the journey and enlightenment of the mind,
seeking to encounter God NOW. It involves a discipline of three overlapping
routes:
1. Mysticism of Love (heart knowledge, love poetry)
2. Mysticism of Ecstasy (vision and knowledge; losing consciousness with
world—out of body)
3. Mysticism of Intuitive Discernment (mental knowledge; recognizing the
material as God-created and luminous).
Sufism, like Buddhism, also believes in the “extinguishing of Self,” or
Fana, once a soul has achieved enlightenment and oneness-with-God. Islam, in
general, believes that once the soul is created that it never dies. Upon death, it
will wait for the Judgment Day and spend eternity in either heaven or hell.
Questions:
1. Compare these statements to your current belief system about mysticism
and the afterlife.
2. Do you know any Muslims? This study, like any study of a religion, has
listed the ideal way of life as outlined by the faith. How closely do you think
Muslims follow these pillars and beliefs?
Closing Prayer from Islam:
In the name of Allah,
the beneficent, the merciful.
Praise be to the Lord of the
Universe who has created us and
made us into tribes and nations
That we may know each other, not that
we may despise each other.
If the enemy inclines towards peace, may
we also incline towards peace, and
trust God,