Download Islam Lecture 2

Islam
World Religions
Chapter 14
We are all Muslims; some have the Gospels,
others have the Quran
A Patriarch from Syria
1. Which of the following is a true statement:
A. All Arabs are Muslims
B. All Muslims are Arabs
C. Iran is an Arab country
D. None of the above
1. Which of the following is a true statement:
A. All Arabs are Muslims
B. All Muslims are Arabs
C. Iran is an Arab country
D. None of the above
2. During prayer a Muslim should face:
A. Mecca
B. Islamabad
C. Jerusalem
D. Washington, DC
2. During prayer a Muslim should face:
A. Mecca
B. Islamabad
C. Jerusalem
D. Washington, DC
3. Muslims pray to a different God than Jews
or Christians, and this God’s name is
Allah.
True
or
False
3. Muslims pray to a different God than Jews
or Christians, and this God’s name is
Allah.
True
or
False
4. Muhammad founded Islam and is
worshipped by Muslims.
True
or
False
4. Muhammad founded Islam and is
worshipped by Muslims.
True
or
False
What is Islam?
• Second largest religion in the world
– 1.2 Billion Muslims (21% of earth population)
• Began in modern day Saudi Arabia
• Reflects the traditions of Jews & Christians
– Abraham is first important figure
– Belief in the same, single God
Around 610 AD, a man
named Muhammad
received the first of
many revelations from
God.
Who is Muhammad?
• A prophet of God, but not a god himself
– He is not worshipped
These revelations were eventually
written down in what is known as
the Qur’an
Which means the
recitation.
The Qur’an is central importance in
Islam
It is the most widely
read and memorized
book in the world.
Islam
Part 2
The Life of Muhammad
The world Muhammad is born into
has been described by later
Muslims in one word:
Ignorant
Life under desert conditions had
never been serene,
And people felt almost no obligation to
anyone outside of their tribe.
Scarcity of goods made robbery
and warfare common,
And there was a vacuum of leadership in
Mecca that exacerbated the problems.
The religion of the region – an animist
polytheism which peopled the desert with
demons – or jinn –
basically watched from the sidelines and did
nothing to interrupt the constant warfare and
violence.
Drunken orgies and gambling were
commonplace
And conditions were perfect for an
atmosphere of constant warfare and blood
feuds.
The times called for a deliverer.
Muhammad is born around 570 CE
into a leading tribe in Mecca.
His early life is marked
with tragedy:
His father dies in a few
days of his birth, his
mother when he is six,
and his grandfather,
who raises him, when
he is eight.
He is adopted into his uncle’s
home, and works minding his
flocks.
His early losses made him sensitive to the
sufferings of others.
As he grows up, he remains apart
from the corrupt and violent lifestyle
of his contemporaries.
The repeated outbursts
of violence and
pointless quarrels
among the tribes who
came to Mecca
combined with the
atmosphere of
cynicism cause a
reaction of horror and
disgust in the young
Muhammad.
As an adult he takes up the
caravan business, and enters the
service of a wealthy widow named
Khadija.
Although she is fifteen years his
senior, they soon fall in love and
are married.
The match is a happy one, and she will be a
source of strength for him in the time to
come.
Muhammad begins to go frequently
to a cave on a mountain outside of
Mecca.
Mount Hira
He is unable to accept
that crudeness,
superstition, and
fratricide should be
normal for a society,
and his heart begins
to reach out for God.
Allah was a god worshipped at
Mecca
And there were some contemplatives who
worshipped Allah alone.
In his prayer vigils, Muhammad
realizes that this Allah
Is just what his name
claims – he is not
one god among
many, but the GOD
From this cave in the desert would
come the greatest phrase of the
Arabic language:
La ilaha illa ‘llah!
There is no God but God!
The Night of Power
Muhammad is in the cave on Mount Hira
praying when there appears to him an
angel in the form of a man.
The angel declares to him:
PROCLAIM!
Muhammad replies
I am not a proclaimer…
The angel embraces him with incredible
force, demanding he proclaims.
“Proclaim in the name of your Lord who
created!
Created man from a clot of blood.
Proclaim: Your Lord is the Most Generous,
Who teaches by the pen;
Teaches man what he knew not.”
- (Version of the Qur’an 96:1-3)
Muhammad rushes home with the
words of the angel burned in his
soul.
He tells Khadija,
and she
becomes his
first convert.
“You will be the
prophet of this
people.”
Muhammad’s life was no more his
own.
“From that time forth it
was given to God
and to humanity,
preaching with
unswerving purpose
in the face of
relentless
persecution, insult,
and outrage, the
words that God was
to transmit for twenty
three years.”
The response to Muhammad’s
preaching was almost completely
violent and hostile.
Why?
Three reasons:
1) It’s uncompromising monotheism threatened
the polytheistic beliefs and the economy which
they provided Mecca and its pilgrimage shrines
(360 of them!).
2) Its moral teachings
demanded an end to the
corrupt lifestyle to which
many in the region clung
3) Its social content
challenged the unjust
structure of society. In
a society riven with
class distinctions, the
new Prophet was
preaching an
incredibly democratic
message: in the sight
of the Lord all were
equal.
The leaders in Mecca began their
attack with ridicule, then threats,
then open violence.
They covered Muhammad and his followers with dirt and
filth while they prayed, they beat them with sticks, threw
them in prison, and tried to starve them to death by
refusing to sell to them.
The first years were extremely
challenging: after three years he
had gained only 40 converts.
But by the end of
the decade
several hundred
families were
acclaiming him
as God’s
authentic
spokesman.
The leaders of Mecca determined
to get rid of Muhammad for good.
At this crisis, Muhammad is visited by a
delegation from a city to the north called
Yathrib.
Yathrib recruits Muhammad to
come as an outside leader to settle
its internal disputes.
The city agrees
to worship
Allah alone
and to protect
Muhammad
and his
people.
Muhammad’s followers go ahead of
him, and the Prophet himself is
forced to escape,
Surviving in the
desert for three
days avoiding
the search by
the elders of
Mecca.
The year is 622
And the migration is known as the Hijra,
marks the turning point in history. It is the
moment from which the Muslim calendar
dates.
The city becomes known as
Medina
From Medinat
al-Nabi (the
city of the
Prophet).
Muhammad is now transformed
from despised preacher to
masterful politician.
He establishes a community of
cooperation in Medina that was
unheard of previously:
People begin to flock to Medina to see this
miracle of peace on the Arabian peninsula.
A period of conflict with Mecca
ensues:
And after eight years of
back and forth conflict,
the forces from
Medina overcome
Mecca. Muhammad
does not punish
Mecca, but accepts
the conversion of all
there.
He rededicates the Ka’bah to Allah.
Muhammad dies two years later in
632.
At his death, the
entire Arabian
peninsula was
under his control.
In the next
generation after
him Islam would
have spread
throughout the
known world,
spanning a region
larger than
Christianity.
In The 100: A Ranking of the Most
Influential Persons in History
Michael Hart places Muhammad first:
His “unparalled combination of secular and
religious influence entitles Muhammad to
be considered the most influential single
figure in human history.”
When Muhammad died, he did not
choose a successor.
Some people thought
the original converts
should be the leaders,
but others thought it
should be a relative of
Muhammad.
An early believer, Abu Bakr was
appointed, but died within two
years.
Eventually, a power struggle
developed
as different groups of Muslims believed their method
of establishing a successor were the best.
The real argument was over
whether the successor should be
elected or chosen through heredity.
This controversy
produced the main
divisions in Islam.
Sects of Islam
• Two Major Sects:
– Sunni
– Shi’a (Shiite)
• Sunni
– approx 90% of Muslims
– Believe successors to Muhammad should be chosen by the
community
• Shi’a (Shiite)
– approx 10% of Muslims
– Think Muhammad’s successor should be his relatives
The Sunnis are the majority in
Islam today.
They elect their own
imams – the religious
leaders in Muslim
society.
The Shi'a believe that imams must
be related to the Prophet, not
politically chosen.
Today, the Shi'a
dominate Iran and are
the majority in Iraq.
There is a smaller group called the
Sufis
Who think Islam is too
rigid, and they pray
for a mystical
experience of God.
Teachings of Islam
The theological center of Islam is
the Qur’an
It is the word of God – God speaking directly
to humanity through the human language
of Arabic
The meaning of the Qur’an is not
simply in the written text but in the
vocalization of the language.
While Christians have translated their scriptures into
every language – Muslims have taught their
converts to read Arabic to understand the Qur’an.
It is not possible to overemphasize
the importance of the Qur’an.
It is the most widely read and memorized
book in the world.
Allah was worshipped in Arabia
before Muhammad preached,
But Islam changed
decisively the
understanding of
God.
The Qur’an teaches about the
powerful nature of God
And it is God’s power that gives order to
society.
God’s power is matched by God’s
mercy,
Which allows the Muslim to live in a world of
joy.
Allah is seen as genderless,
And Muslims strongly avoid representations
of God, even avoiding parental images
(used strongly in Christianity) because
they are too anthropomorphic.
However, God is seen as
immanent and personal.
There are
traditionally 99
names for God,
including the
Compassionate
and the Real.
The Prophets
The prophets provide
the link between
Allah and human
history.
Beginning with Adam and ending
with Muhammad
The prophets have changed the history of
humanity’s relationship with God.
Abraham is revered,
As are Moses and Jesus.
Muhammad is the Seal of the
Prophets
To whom the perfection and completion of
God’s revelation to humanity was given.
Human Nature
Islam teaches that
human nature is
basically good, but
that we are capable
of forgetting this.
Forgetfulness is
what happened in
the fall, in the loss of
Eden.
Therefore we need the Qur’an and
other revelations of the will of Allah
To direct us to proper behavior for human
beings.
The Qur’an vividly describes heaven and
hell, because the struggle for goodness is
utterly important.
The Qur’an’s descriptions
of the consequences
of choices make sure
the Muslim knows the
cost of his or her
behaviors and
lifestyle.
There will be a day of judgment, and on that
day, each soul will know what it has done in
its life.
“When the sky is rent asunder; when the stars scatter and
the oceans roll together; when the graves are hurled
about; each soul shall know what it has done and what it
has failed to do.
… Would that you knew what the Day of Judgment is! Oh,
would that you knew what the Day of Judgment is! It is
the day when every soul will stand alone and God will
reign supreme.”
Version of the Qur’an, sura 82
Islam emphasizes the community
of Muslims
Known as the Umma.
The Umma transcends race, ethnicity, language,
and culture. The community of Muslims are one
because of their faith.
In the Umma, divine law is the rule
for the community.
This is known as the Shari’a. It is drawn from the
Qur’an and the Sunna (the teachings and
actions of Muhammad) and is meant to govern
the whole of life – religious and political.
The way of life for Muslims are laid
out in what are called the
Five Pillars of Islam.
The Five Pillars of Islam
1)Worship God and Muhammad is his
prophet
2)Prayer five times a day, facing Mecca
3)Alms giving
4)Fast during the month of Ramadan
5)Participate in the Hajj
The first pillar of Islam is the
profession of faith
In Allah and in Muhammad as his prophet.
This is called the Shahada.
Note that the Five Pillars, although they
start with an expression of faith,
Stress right action more than belief.
Muslims are to pray five times a
day:
Early morning, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset,
and evening.
Muslim prayer requires
A ritual washing of
hands and face,
prostration in the
direction of Mecca,
and other ritual
movements.
Usually a prayer rug is
used.
Friday is the day of public prayer,
And prayers are usually performed in a
mosque.
Charity is the third pillar,
And Muslims are required to give 2.5% of
the value of their possessions to a
community treasury to be given to the poor
and needy.
The fourth pillar of Islam is to fast
during the month of Ramadan.
This is the ninth month of the Muslim year,
and Muslims are to fast from food, drink,
smoking, and sex from dawn until sunset.
The Hajj
A pilgrimage to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia.
Muslims gather around the sacred shrine – the
Ka’bah.
The Ka’bah
Personal and Social Life
Muslims hold that the body does not belong
to the individual but ultimately to God.
The body is to be kept clean, and
clothing should be comfortable
But not seductive or overly luxurious.
Islam regulates the diet, like
Judaism,
And forbids the eating of pork and the
drinking of alcohol.
Sexuality is seen as a gift from
God,
But one only to be enjoyed inside of
marriage.
A controversial issue for studying
Islam is the status of women.
On the whole, the Qur’an regards men and
women as equals, although with different
roles.
Men tend to have primary roles in
the public and economic spheres,
And women have a greater influence the
household and family life, which is the
primary institution in Islam.
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Three issues are generally cited by
critics of Islamic practice in some
countries:
1) Divorce
2) Polygamy
3) The veil
Divorce has traditionally been easier for
men to attain than women.
The Qur’an notes that
both men and
women can initiate a
divorce, and men
and women are
generally on equal
footing nowadays.
Islam permits
divorce but
Muhammad
announced it was
detested by Allah.
In terms of marriage
The Qur’an technically allows polygamy, but sets limits:
“You may marry other women who seem good to you: two,
three, or four of them. But if you fear that you cannot
maintain equality among them, marry only one.”
- Version of the Qur’an 4:3
This has been open to
interpretation –
Some Muslims say it is impossible to be
equal so the saying is the same as saying
it is illegal.
Others say at times marrying more than
once is the right thing to do – especially for
widows, or in a period after war where
there are fewer men.
The wearing of the veil has also
been open to interpretation.
Today some educated Muslim women are
choosing to wear the veil again as a way
of embracing their culture.
Jihad
Nothing has been more controversial or
more misunderstood in the West than the
term jihad.
Islam is not addicted to war, and jihad is not
one of its "pillars”
Jihad in Arabic does not mean "holy war”. It
means "struggle” or “strive”.
It is the difficult effort needed to put God's will into
practice at every level
The "greater jihad” in the Quran is that of the soul, of
the tongue, of the pen, of faith, of morality, etc. The
"smaller jihad" is that of arms.
• Personal: That of the soul
• Verbal: Raising one's voice in the name of Allah on
behalf of justice.
"The most excellent jihad is the speaking of truth in
the face of a tyrant" (Hadith)
• Physical: Combat waged in defense against
oppression and transgression.
Much of the Koran revealed in the
context of an all-out war
imposed on early Muslims by the powerful
city of Mecca, and many passages deal
with the conduct of armed struggle.
While one finds "slay [enemies] wherever
you find them!" (e.g., 4: 89),
in almost every case it is followed by something like "if they let you be,
and do not make war on you, and offer you peace, God does not
allow you to harm them" (2:90; 4: 90; 5: 2; 8: 61; 22: 39)
“Since good and evil cannot be equal, repel thou evil with something,
that is better, and love he between whom and thy self was enmity
may then become as though he had always been close unto thee, a
true friend" (41:34)
God does not allow harm of civilian, and requests
the protection of women, children and the elderly
during war (4:96; 9: 91; 48: 16,17)
“If any one slew a person--unless it be for murder
or for spreading mischief in the land--it would be
as if he slew the whole people; and if anyone
saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of
the whole people.” (5:32)
You shall feed and protect prisoners of war, and
you shall not expect a reward (4: 25,36; 5:24)
Thus, the only permissible war in the
Quran is one of self-defense, you
cannot kill unarmed (civilian), and you
have to protect prisoners of war.
This is basically the same understanding
of the just war theory in the West