Download ISLAM - ReligiousSocialEducation

ISLAM


The word derives from the Arabic root
saleema, meaning: peace, purity, submission
and obedience.
Therefore, literally: ‘Islam’ means
‘submission (to the will of God)’, and a
‘Muslim’ is “one who submits (to the will of
God)”.
The Qur'an specifically says that
all human beings are equal before
God although Muslims are more
equal than others and Christians
and Jews are second class
citizens.
It
is held that the angel Jibril (Gabriel) dictated the Qur’an directly to Muhammad,
who is considered to have had no personal influence on the text.


Because the Qur'an is
such a holy book and no
pictures are allowed in
Islam, the calligraphy is
often very beautiful.
This is a page from a
13th century copy.

When Islam was introduced it represented a
move forward for women in the tribal areas of
Arabia where women were often treated badly
– almost as male possessions. The Qur’an
limits the number of wives to four and these
must all be treated equally. The Qur'an says:
“..marry such women as seem good to you,
two, three or four but if you feel you will not
be equitable, then only one….” (4:4)


Women are allowed to
own property (when
this was not possible in
the Christian West)
and the Qur'an forbids
female infanticide and
also forced marriages.
Women are seen as
supports for their
husbands – rather than
as independent
individuals with the
marriage.
Quotes from the Qu’ran
‘Men have authority over women
because Allah has made the one
superior to the others, and because they
spend their wealth to maintain them.
Good women are obedient.’ (Surah 4:34)
 On death, men shall inherit twice as
much as women (Surah 4:176)


Women have to dress so
that they do not provide a
temptation to men.
Muslims differ as to how
this is to be interpreted.
Some hold that every part
of a woman’s body must
be concealed – even her
eyes. Others accept
‘Western’ dress, provided it
is modest.

In Afghanistan the Taliban
forbade women to work, to be
educated, to be out on the street
unless totally covered – but
other Muslims see this as a
perversion of the Qur'an. Much
depends on interpretation.
ABRAHAM (IBRAHIM)



Abraham is the father
of Islam through
Ishmael his first born
son.
Abraham is the father
of Judaism through his
second son, Isaac and
Abraham is the father
of Christianity through
his faith.
Key Cities
JERUSALEM
MEDINA
MECCA
THE MOSQUE OF THE
PROPHET, MEDINA
Built over Muhammad’s
burial place
THE DOME OF THE ROCK

The Dome of the Rock encloses the sacred rock
where Muhammad began his night journey – his
ascension to Heaven.
St. Sophia, Constantinople/Istanbul
The great
Christian
Cathedral of
St. Sophia
was
transformed
into a
Mosque after
the defeat of
Constantinople
(It is now a
museum.)
REQUIREMENTS OF MUSLIMS




THE SHAHADA: Muslims must
declare:There is no God but Allah and
Muhammad is his prophet’
SALAT: As a minimum, Muslims
must pray five times a day facing
Mecca) using prescribed postures and
recitations. (N.B. Shi’i Muslims pray
three times a day.)
ZAQAT: payment of an obligatory
tax to the needy
FASTING: Muslims must fast during
the month of Ramadan (the 9th month of
the Islamic calendar)

HAJJ: PILGRIMAGE TO
MECCA: This must be made, if a
person is able to do so, once during a
Muslim’s lifetime.
Beauty
The beauty of fine art is
affirmed and themes of
nature can be expressed in
calligraphy, carpets, mosaics
and architecture (but not in
religious paintings of people
or animals – hence there are
no paintings in Mosques).


Carpets are often a work
of art and can express a
prayer as they are works
of devotion and
dedication.
The ‘arabesque’ style has
a theological significance
bringing together unity
and eternity – there are
incredibly beautiful
examples
Islamic Art is characterised by a use of pattern.
Pattern is not just decorative, it is designed to
draw our eyes and minds into a deeper
understanding of reality.
Islamic Art is about exploring the level at which
it is closest to its creator, God.
Islamic patterns often feature a deliberate
mistake – to show that the artist is not seeking to
be a God in producing perfection.
Alien to our culture?


Although Islamic dress, particularly
as it relates to women, is often
portrayed as alien to our culture it
is worth thinking about things in a
longer time-frame…
Islamic and ‘western’ societies
shared a demand for modest dress
for centuries – Indeed English
women sought out Muslim women
in 17th and 18th Century India
because they felt more comfortable
with modestly dressed women than
with Hindu women who dressed
more casually.
Have things moved on?



One suggestion is that
Muslim dress is Medieval and
that women should embrace
the 21st century in casting off
their veils.
Is 21st century liberalism
really about insisting on
wearing less though?
Surely the whole point of
developments in fashion is to
encourage individual
expression and challenge
‘rules’ about dress?


Certainly, western liberals have a
concern about women being forced to
wear Islamic clothing – or indeed to do
anything…
Yet women often choose to dress
modestly and to adopt the cultural
interpretation of Islamic standards
which they feel comfortable with and
which expresses their roots.
Hussein Chalayan
Turkish Cypriot, based in London.
Graduate of Central St Martin’s –
has own Fashion Label and has
worked for companies such as
Asprey’s. Has courted
controversy by using his work to
comment on the relationship
between Islamic and ‘western’
culture. His work skirts around
the psychological and political
implications of dressing in
certain ways…
Rifat Ozbek
Turkish designer, based in
London and another
graduate of Central St.
Martin’s. Well known for
producing clothes
inspired by Islamic
Cultures – has worked
with Monsoon.