Download Islam – The Personal and Social Life of Islam

Islam – The Personal and
Social Life of Islam
Living Islam
Care of the Body
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The body ultimately
belongs to not to the
individual but to God.
There we can celebrate
physical joys while
controlling desires
The body is kept clean –
ritual washing
Clothing should be neither
overly seductive nor overly
luxurious – fashionable is
OK
Perfume - OK
Care of the Body
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Regulates diet (Shari’ah
regulates between
permitted and forbidden
food – pork and alcohol are
forbidden)
Sexuality is celebrated –
one of Allah’s greatest gifts,
but only to be enjoyed
within marriage
Premarital and extramarital sex as well as
lustful thoughts,
homosexuality and
prostitution are all
forbidden
Marriage
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Traditionally arranged by
parents
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Dating is generally not
practiced
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Marriage is first and
foremost a legal contract;
love is expected to grow
later.
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Contrasts sharply with the
Western perspective of
marriage and the emphasis
places on ‘romantic love’
Women in Islam
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Status of Women in
Islam - a controversial
issue
Western critics tend to
accuse Islam of being
chauvinistic and of
denying basic rights to
women
Muslim, tend to be
frustrated and irritated
by these accusations
The Qur’an, and the ideals
of Islam, regard men and
women as equals, but with
different roles. These
ideals are realized in daily
life. Men – public, women –
within the family
Women and Islam continued
Specific points of
contention commonly
cited by Western
critics:
1.
Divorce
Shari’ ah Law on divorce:
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Either the husband or wife can
initiate a divorce, although
traditionally it has been easier for
the man
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repudiation – a man can divorce
his wife simply by stating, “I
divorce you” 3 x. In some Muslim
countries this practice is no-longer
legal
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Muhammad denounced divorce
although it falls under those acts
categorized as a “permitted” act
Women and Islam continued
Specific points of contention
commonly cited by
Western critics:
2.
Polygamy
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Muhammad even had
multiple wives after the
death of Khadija – for
political unification
Shari’ ah Law on polygamy:
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Technically allowed but
with 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 one
only” Qur’an 4:3
Polygamy good in times of
warfare when there are
many more women than
men, or if a woman is
widowed – its better to be
one of many than alone
Women and Islam continued
Shari’ ah Law on covering:
Specific points of contention
commonly cited by Western
critics:
3. Covering (wearing a
Veil)
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Pre-Arabic practice of
Arabia
“If you ask the Prophet’s wives
for anything, speak to them
from behind a curtain. This
is more chaste fro your
heart and their hearts”
Qur’an 33:35
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Interpretations can range
from total covering to
covering one’s head while
in public
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For many in the West it is a
personal choice – a way for
women to identify
themselves as women and
embrace their own cultural
heritage
Jihad “Struggle”
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Jihad meaning
struggle
Applies to all aspects
of Islamic life
Sometimes considered
the sixth pillar
Personal Jihad:
 Refers to an
individual’s spiritual
struggle against
anything distracting
them from revering
Allah
Social Jihad:
 Refers to the struggle
to preserve the order
that Allah as willed for
the world
Jihad “Struggle”
Jihad – The Controversy
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Jihad – armed struggle, sometimes
understood to mean ‘holy war’
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The Qur’an however, supports armed
struggle for the sake of Islam only if it
is done in self-defense
Expansion and Varieties of
Islam
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Only two major
historical divisions:
Sunnism and
Shi’ism
Sufism – Mystical
form of Islam draws
from both Sunnism
and Shi’ism
Expansion of Islamic
Civilization
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Muhammad’s death – 638 C.E.
Muslims led by caliphs (successors) chosen by the community
1st caliph – Muhammad’s father-in-law, Abu Bakr
During this time, all of Arabia is unified under Islam
100 years after Muhammad’s death, Islam is the religion of they
entire Middle East, Persia, North Africa, most of Spain
Islam and culture
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Muslims lived side by side Christians and
Jews in Europe
Fostered literary, arts, mathematic culture
while the rest of Europe endured the Dark
Ages
Al-jabar ?– invented by the Muslims
Ancient Greek and Roman texts survived
the Dark Ages in their Arabic form
Islam in the USA
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1998 – between 4 and 6 million Muslim live in the USA
40% of this Muslim population is made up of African Americans
20% of Africans brought to North America as slaves were Muslim
Some African Americans have argued that Islam is better suited for
their community since they regard Christianity as the religion of their
white oppressors
Nation of Islam – established in 1930 with the goal of resurrecting the
spiritual, mental, social and economic condition of the black men and
women of America
they distinguish themselves from followers of the original religion of
Islam by stating: WE BELIEVE that Allah (God) appeared in the
Person of Master W. Fard Muhammad, July, 1930; the long-awaited
"Messiah" of the Christians and the "Mahdi" of the Muslims
Historical Divisions Within
Islam
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Sunni and Shi’i Common Ground
Brotherhood and sisterhood of
Muslims
One Arabic version of the Qur’an
Share the Sunnah of the Prophet
5 pillars
Historical Divisions Within
Islam
Sunnism
 People who follow the established
custom, or sunnah
 About 87% of all Muslims
Shi’ism
 Comes from shi’at Ali – “Partisans of
Ali”- who was the cousin and son-inlaw of Muhammad
Historical Divisions Within
Islam - Shi’I continued
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Ali, passed over 3x before being names a caliph,
and then was assassinated
Resulted in the Shi’i movement by Muslims
believing Ali was Muhammad’s true successor
Husayn (Ali’s son) was assassinated in 680 C.E.
– caused those Muslims that supported Ali to
consolidate into a distinct form of Islam
Husayn’s martyrdom is observed within Shi’i
Islam and he is revered as a great hero
Historical Divisions Within
Islam - Shi’i continued
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Shi’ism can now be distinguished in terms of geography –
Iraq, Iran, have Shi’i majorities, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and
Pakistan have significant Shi’i populations
Shi-i
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Shi’ism observes the figure of Iman – While
not a prophet, is believed to have special
spiritual insight and a true earthly authority
Believe there have been 12 Imams, all
descendents from Muhammad through his
daughter Fatima and her husband,
Muhammad’s cousin Ali
Last of the Imams is Muhammad al-Mahdi –
he will return to restore Islam and bring on
the Day of Judgment
Sufi – Islamic Mysticism
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Sufism strive to experience
Allah as immanent,
dwelling within the
worshiper
There is no god except
God… there is nothing but
God – meaning that the
worshiper, too, must be one
with God. A guiding
principle of Sufism – to
experience the oneness
with Allah
Brings about controversy
with orthodox Muslims
Sufi methods
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Sufism is made up of
groups called ‘orders’ – like
Christian monasticism
Each order is led by a
shaykh – master or
teacher
Shaykh leaders disciples
through a variety of
exercises to help them
achieve union with God
Exercises include:
chanting, breathing
exercises, and dance