Islam ☪ Study Guide
CALIPH. What does the word "caliph" mean?What were the three different positions about who should be caliph? Define each one.
"successor"; "deputy"
QUR'AN. *Describe the Qur'an or Koran.How does the Qur'an describe God's character?How is Sura 1 of the Qur'an like and unlike Psalm 1?
- It is comprised of suras (chapters). Each sura of the Koran is a prophecy voiced through a poetic medium. - Meant to be recited out loud - The closest Biblical parallel is the book of Psalms.He is Lord of all, he is all-merciful and all-compassionate, but he is also Master of the Day of Doom, the day of judgment. God is both compassionate, but will also judge justlyIn Psalm 1 there are two paths, one righteous and one evil. The Lord loves the first, but the second is doomed. Those on the good path study God's teaching. In Sura 1, the emphasis is upon God; in Psalm 1 the emphasis is upon human response to God; but both portray two paths, only one of which is blessed, is straight, is fertile.
Explain the four foundations of Islamic law.
1.) The Qurʾān - regarded as the verbatim word/speech of God delivered to Muhammad by the archangel Gabriel 2.) The Sunnah ("Traditions" or "a well-trodden path") - the body of traditional social and legal custom and practice of the Islamic community. Along with the Qurʾān (the holy book of Islam) and Hadith (recorded sayings of the Prophet Muhammad), it is a major source of Sharīʿah, or Islamic law. 3.) ijmāʿ ("consensus") - the universal and infallible agreement of either the Muslim community as a whole or Muslim scholars in particular. 4.) ijtihād ("individual thought") - the independent or original interpretation of problems not precisely covered by the Qurʾān, Hadith (traditions concerning the Prophet Muhammad's life and utterances), and ijmāʿ (scholarly consensus).
MAHDHI. Who is the Mahdhi? And what will he do?
A messianic deliverer who will fill earth with justice and equity, restore "true religion", and usher in a short golden age lasting seven, eight, or nine years before the end of the world.
KA'BAH. What was (and is) the Ka'bah?
A shrine located at the center of the Great Mosque of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Muslims are required to visit it as part of hajj (pilgrimage) process. According to the legend, the black stone was delivered to Abraham by Gabriel.
What does the term "Islamic paradigm" mean?
A unity of religion and government. Also refers to the tendency of Islam to imitate the pattern of its golden era where religion and state were one.
Explain how polytheism was involved with Mecca's economic success.
As sea trade routes became more dangerous, several tribes built the Arabian city of Mecca into a center of trade to direct more secure overland caravan routes. The nomadic tribes of pre-Islamic Arabia primarily practiced polytheism, although some tribes converted to Judaism and Christianity. Gods and goddesses were worshipped at local shrines, such as the Kaaba in Mecca. Up to the 7th century, piligrimage was undertaken by the pagan Arabs to pay homage to their shrine and drink from the Zamzam Well. These annual events gave the tribes a sense of common identity and made Mecca an important focus for the peninsula. Along with the port of Jidda, Medina and Mecca thrived through years of pilgrimage.
RAMADAN. Describe the nature of the Ramadan fast, and the reason the month of Ramadan is chosen to celebrate it.
The calendar is a lunar calendar, and months begin when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 10 to 11 days shorter than the solar yearFasting is practice in self-denial. Fasting from food and drink takes place during the day in the month of Ramadan—the month in which the Qur'an began to be revealed. In the night there is usually a feast each day of Ramadan, but faithful Muslims fast totally until it is too dark to tell "a white thread from a black thread." The very young, the very old, the sick, and the pregnant may be excused from fasting.The Fourth Pillar of Isalm - a fast (held from sunrise to sunset) that is carried out during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Usually lasts a month. Used to teach self-discipline, humility, and sympathy for the hungry.the ninth month of the Muslim year, during which strict fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset.
Explain the meanings of the terms, Islam, Muslim (or Moslem), Salaam, and Allah.
Islam = "to submit" or "to surrender." Muslim/Moslem = "submitting" or "surrendering." (it is important to note that it is present participle, NOT a past participle) Salaam = "peace" Allah = "God" or "the God"
5 PILLARS OF ISLAM. Explain the 5 pillars of Islam and how each one is related to earlier practices in Judaism and/or Christianity.What is the literary basis for saying Islam has 5 pillars that hold it up?
Islam is built on five pillars: #1 - Shahada (belief): profession of the unity of God. In relation to Christianity/Judaism, compare the Muslim creed with the first of the 10 Commandments. #2 - Salat (the five daily ritual prayers): the performance of prayer. Note its relationship to the 5 Jewish prayers in the period of the Roman occupation. #3 - Zakat (charity or almsgiving): the giving of alms. #4 - Sawm (fasting): the fasting of Ramadan #5 - Hajj (pilgrimage): the pilgrimage
*Describe some of the characteristics of the culture of the people of pre-Islamic Arabia.
Pre-Islamic Arabia was comprised of nomadic tribes. Non-members of these tribes were viewed as outsiders/enemies. Tribes shared common ethical understandings and provided an individual with an identity.The difficult living conditions in the Arabian Peninsula created a heavy emphasis on family cooperation, further strengthening the clan system. Pre-Islamic religion in Arabia consisted of indigenous polytheistic beliefs, Ancient Arabian Christianity, Nestorian Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism.
SUFI What was the difference between "sober" and "drunken" Sufis?What is the goal of Sufi mysticism?*Who are the Sufis? Why are they needed?
Drunken Sufis: - De-emphasize the shari`ah - Openly declare union with God - Criticize the sober for forgetting the overriding reality of God's mercy and depending on reason instead of God. Sober Sufis: - Observe the courtesy (adab) that relationships with the Lord demand - Criticize the drunk for disregarding the sunnah Those who "see with both eyes" keep reason and unveiling in perfect balance while acknowledging the rights of BOTH sober and drunk.Purification of the inner self, and to get closer to God by seeking spiritual learning known as tariqa.Muslim mystics who seek communion with God through meditation, fasting, prayer, simple life and other rituals. They spread Islam to many Afro-Asian regions.
*What's the difference between exoteric and esoteric interpretations of a text?
Esoteric = essence (inner, or spirit). Exoteric = form (outer, or material). Refers to knowledge that is outside, and independent from, a person's experience and can be ascertained by anyone. It relates to external reality as opposed to a person's thoughts or feelings.
JEW/CHRISTIAN/MUSLIM. Explain how Muslim traditions regarding prayer are influenced by earlier Jewish and Christian practices.How do Muslims regard Jesus?Of the three Abrahamic Middle-eastern religions, which one does Islam have the strongest relationship with?Of the three Abrahamic Middle-eastern religions, which one does Christianity have the strongest relationship with?From the Islamic point of view, in what ways has Christianity departed from true Islam?From the Islamic point of view, in what ways has Judaism departed from true Islam?
Islam shares a number of beliefs with Christianity. They share similar views on judgment, heaven, hell, spirits, angels, and a future resurrection. Jesus is acknowledged as a great prophet and respected by Muslims. However, while Islam relegates Jesus to a lesser status than God — "in the company of those nearest to God" in the Qur'an, mainstream (Trinitarian) Christianity teaches without question the belief that Jesus is God the Son, one of the three Hypostases (common English: persons) of Christianity's Trinity, divinely co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Both religions share the belief in the virgin birth of Jesus, his miracles and healings, and they also share the belief that he ascended bodily into heaven. However, Jesus is not accepted as the son by Muslims, who strictly maintain the belief that he was a human being who was loved by God and exalted to the ranks of the most righteous by God. They believe that God is a single entity, not the first person in the Trinity as the vast majority of Christians do. Additionally, Muslims do not accept Jesus' crucifixion. Since Muslims only believe in the worship of a strictly monotheistic God who never assumed human form, they do not accept the use of icons, which they consider shirk (idolatry). Muslim influence played a part in the initiation of iconoclasm and their conquests caused the iconoclasm in the Byzantine Empire. For the same reason, they do not worship or pray to Muhammad, Jesus, or any other prophets; they only pray to God.Muslims, for their part, believe that parts of the Gospels, Torah and Jewish prophetic books have been forgotten, misinterpreted, or distorted by their followers. Based on that perspective, Muslims view the Qur'an as correcting the errors of Christianity. For example, Muslims reject belief in the Trinity, or any other expression of the divinity of Jesus, as incompatible with monotheism.Islam does regard Jesus as a great prophet, but not as great as Muhammad who is the last prophet and seal of all the prophetsMuslims believe that Judaism and Christianity are forms of Islam that went astray. Christianity, specifically, because of the doctrines of the two natures of Christ (human and divine) and because of the corollary doctrine of the TrinityMuslims believe that Judaism and Christianity are forms of Islam that went astray. Judaism, specifically, because it regards Jews as a specially chosen people (and all others are not chosen)
MUHAMMAD. biography. Who was Khadijah? What does the name "Muhammad" mean?MUHAMMAD...Give a brief of Muhammad, describing his birth, circumstances of his youth, his experiences of work and travel, and explaining the influence of his two uncles.When Uncle Abu-Talib dies, how does this put Muhammad in particular danger?MUHAMMAD.Of what significance to Muhammad's life was the time he spent as a caravan leader?MUHAMMAD.What happens to Muhammad when he begins to speak out his prophetic revelations?MUHAMMAD.Muhammad is an unusual religious leader as he as fulfills other leadership roles simultaneously with being a prophet. What were these other roles?MUHAMMAD.How does Muhammad's leadership in Medina illustrate the Islamic paradigm?What was the Hejira? Why is the year of the Hejira the beginning of their calendar and the center-point of history for Muslims?Muhammad die of?In 632 C.E., Muhammad died—of a fever. He was 62 years oldMUHAMMAD.What does it mean to say that Muhammad was "the seal of the prophets"?
Muhammad's first wife. She was first and foremost his employer. She was a wealthy woman who had hired him to sell her belongings in Syria. She wanted him to marry her because of their great friendship and Muhammad accepted although she was 40 and he was 25. They eventually had 4 daughters and 2 sons, but the 2 sons dieBorn in Mecca, Saudi Arabia around 570 CE. Lived in Mecca for the first 52 years of his life (570-632 CE)."The Praised One"; "to praise"; "to glorify"; "highly praised" Muhammad was the prophet and founder of Islam. Most of his early life was spent as a merchant. At age 40, he began to have revelations from Allah that became the basis for the Koran and the foundation of Islam. By 630 he had unified most of Arabia under a single religion. As of 2015, there are over 1.8 billion Muslims in the world who profess, "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet."Muhammad was born around 570, AD in Mecca (now in Saudi Arabia). His father died before he was born and he was raised first by his grandfather and then his uncle. He belonged to a poor but respectable family of the Quraysh tribe. The family was active in Meccan politics and trade. Many of the tribes living in the Arabian Peninsula at the time were nomadic, trading goods as they crisscrossed the desert. Most tribes were polytheistic, worshipping their own set of gods. The town of Mecca was an important trading and religious center, home to many temples and worship sites where the devoted prayed to the idols of these gods. The most famous site was the Kaaba (meaning cube in Arabic). It is believed to have been built by Abraham (Ibrahim to Muslims) and his son Ismail. Gradually the people of Mecca turned to polytheism and idolatry. Of all the gods worshipped, it is believed that Allah was considered the greatest and the only one without an idol.In his early teens, Orphaned early in his life, Muhammed had few options when it came to making a living. He was obliged to help support other members of his family and so after accompanying his uncle on trading journeys to Syria, he became a merchant and was involved in trade between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. He became known as a prominent merchant, and as an impartial and trustworthy arbiter of disputes. While living with his uncle, Muhammad began tending flocks on the outskirts of Mecca to earn his living. His uncle also took him on many commercial journeys, which exposed Muhammad to cultural diversity and varying religious traditions. At twelve years old, he went with his uncle Abu Talib on a business journey to Syria. There he met a monk named Bahira in the town of Bosra. A miraculous occurrence indicated to Bahira that Muhammad was to become a prophet. Bahira revealed his visions of Muhammad's future to the boy's companion, warning him to preserve the child from the Jews/Byzantines.With the death of Abu Talib, leadership of the Banu Hashim clan passed to Abu Lahab, a tenacious enemy of Muhammad. Soon afterward, Abu Lahab withdrew the clan's protection over Muhammad. This placed Muhammad in danger; the withdrawal of clan protection implied that blood revenge for his killing would not be exacted.Muhammad worked in a camel caravan, following in the footsteps of many people his age, born of meager wealth. Working for his uncle, he gained experience in commercial trade traveling to Syria and eventually from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean. In time, Muhammad earned a reputation as honest and sincere, acquiring the nickname "al-Amin" meaning faithful or trustworthy. In his early 20s, Muhammad began working for a wealthy merchant woman named Khadijah, 15 years his senior. She soon became attracted to this young, accomplished man and proposed marriage. He accepted and over the years the happy union brought several children. Not all lived to adulthood, but one, Fatima, would marry Muhammad's cousin, Ali ibn Abi Talib, whom Shi'ite Muslims regard as Muhammad's successor. The Prophet Muhammad Muhammad was also very religious, occasionally taking journeys of devotion to sacred sites near Mecca. On one of his pilgrimages in 610, he was meditating in a cave on Mount Jabal aI-Nour. The Angel Gabriel appeared and relayed the word of God: "Recite in the name of your Lord who creates, creates man from a clot! Recite for your lord is most generous...." These words became the opening verses of sūrah (chapter) 96 of the Qur'an. Most Islamic historians believe Muhammad was initially disturbed by the revelations and that he didn't reveal them publicly for several years. However, Shi'a tradition states he welcomed the message from the Angel Gabriel and was deeply inspired to share his experience with other potential believers.Islamic tradition holds that the first persons to believe were his wife, Khadija and his close friend Abu Bakr (regarded as the successor to Muhammad by Sunni Muslims). Soon, Muhammad began to gather a small following, initially encountering no opposition. Most people in Mecca either ignored him or mocked him as just another prophet. However, when his message condemned idol worship and polytheism, many of Mecca's tribal leaders began to see Muhammad and his message as a threat. Besides going against long standing beliefs, the condemnation of idol worship had economic consequences for merchants who catered to the thousands of pilgrims who came to Mecca every year. This was especially true for members of Muhammad's own tribe, the Quraysh, who were the guardians of the Kaaba. Sensing a threat, Mecca's merchants and leaders offered Muhammad incentives to abandon his preaching, but he refused. Increasingly, the resistance to Muhammed and his followers grew and they were eventually forced to emigrate from Mecca to Medina, a city 260 miles to the north in 622. This event marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. There Muhammad was instrumental in bringing an end to a civil war raging amongst several of the city's tribes. Muhammad settled in Medina, building his Muslim community and gradually gathering acceptance and more followers. Between 624 and 628, the Muslims were involved in a series of battles for their survival. In the final major confrontation, The Battle of the Trench and Siege of Medina, Muhammad and his followers prevailed and a treaty was signed. The treaty was broken by the Meccan allies a year later. By now, Muhammad had plenty of forces and the balance of power had shifted away from the Meccan leaders to him. In 630, the Muslim army marched into Mecca, taking the city with minimum casualties. Muhammad gave amnesty to many of the Meccan leaders who had opposed him and pardoned many others. Most of the Meccan population converted to Islam. Muhammad and his followers then proceeded to destroy all of the statues of pagan gods in and around the KThe Death of Muhammad After the conflict with Mecca was finally settled, Muhammad took his first true Islamic pilgrimage to that city and in March, 632, he delivered his last sermon at Mount Arafat. Upon his return to Medina to his wife's home, he fell ill for several days. He died on June 8, 632, at the age of 62, and was buried at al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Mosque of the Prophet) one of the first mosques built by Muhammad in Medina.aaba.Islamic tradition holds that the first persons to believe were his wife, Khadija and his close friend Abu Bakr (regarded as the successor to Muhammad by Sunni Muslims). Soon, Muhammad began to gather a small following, initially encountering no opposition. Most people in Mecca either ignored him or mocked him as just another prophet. However, when his message condemned idol worship and polytheism, many of Mecca's tribal leaders began to see Muhammad and his message as a threat. Besides going against long standing beliefs, the condemnation of idol worship had economic consequences for merchants who catered to the thousands of pilgrims who came to Mecca every year. This was especially true for members of Muhammad's own tribe, the Quraysh, who were the guardians of the Kaaba. Sensing a threat, Mecca's merchants and leaders offered Muhammad incentives to abandon his preaching, but he refused. Increasingly, the resistance to Muhammed and his followers grew and they were eventually forced to emigrate from Mecca to Medina, a city 260 miles to the north in 622. This event marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. There Muhammad was instrumental in bringing an end to a civil war raging amongst several of the city's tribes. Muhammad settled in Medina, building his Muslim community and gradually gathering acceptance and more followers. Between 624 and 628, the Muslims were involved in a series of battles for their survival. In the final major confrontation, The Battle of the Trench and Siege of Medina, Muhammad and his followers prevailed and a treaty was signed. The treaty was broken by the Meccan allies a year later. By now, Muhammad had plenty of forces and the balance of power had shifted away from the Meccan leaders to him. In 630, the Muslim army marched into Mecca, taking the city with minimum casualties. Muhammad gave amnesty to many of the Meccan leaders who had opposed him and pardoned many others. Most of the Meccan population converted to Islam. Muhammad and his followers then proceeded to destroy all of the statues of pagan gods in and around the Kaaba. The Death of Muhammad After the conflict with Mecca was finally settled, Muhammad took his first true Islamic pilgrimage to that city and in March, 632, he delivered his last sermon at Mount Arafat. Upon his return to Medina to his wife's home, he fell ill for several days. He died on June 8, 632, at the age of 62, and was buried at al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Mosque of the Prophet) one of the first mosques built by Muhammad in Medina.The Prophet Muhammad's migration (622 ce) from Mecca to Medina in order to escape persecution.Muhammad was both religious and political leader of Medina.MUHAMMAD.What did Muhammad do after winning the Battle of Mecca? Why? Later, as the Islamic Empire expands, how do Muslim generals imitate this event?It is generally regarded to mean that Muhammad was the last of the prophets sent by Allah.
SUNNI AND SHI'ITE *What do the terms "Sunni" and "Shi'ite" mean literally?What is the difference between 12er (twelver) Shi'ites and 7er (sevener) Shi'ites?Explain the Shi'ite doctrine of the Imam.According to Sunnis, who were the four rightly guided caliphs?*How do the Shi'ites differ from the Sunnis? Describe all four of the differences I discussed in class.
Sunni = "pertaining to the Sunnah"; "lawful"; Shi'ite =7ers = Ismailis are Shi'a Muslims who claim that Ismail, the eldest son of Imam Jaffar, was the rightful ruler of all Muslims. They are also known as the "Seveners", because Imam Jaffar was the seventh and, according to them, the last Imam. 12ers = Shia Twelvers, those who accept the first Twelve Imams, believe that Jafar, the Sixth Imam, passed over his eldest son, Ismail, in favor of Ismail's brother Musa al Kazim.In Shia Islam, the Imam is a doctrine which asserts that certain individuals from the lineage of the Prophet Muhammad are to be accepted as leaders and guides of the ummah after the death of the Prophet Imami Shia believe that Imams are the spiritual and political successors to Muhammad. Imams are human individuals who not only rule over the community with justice, but also are able to keep and interpret the divine law and its esoteric meaning.The Sunni branch believes that the first four caliphs--Mohammed's successors--rightfully took his place as the leaders of Muslims. They recognize the heirs of the four caliphs as legitimate religious leaders. Shiites, in contrast, believe that only the heirs of the fourth caliph, Ali, are the legitimate successors of Mohammed. Another difference between Sunnis and Shiites has to do with the Mahdi. The major difference is that for Shi`is he has already been here, and will return from hiding; for Sunnis he has yet to emerge into histor
From the Islamic perspective, what is the purpose of human life?
The Muslim creed is very simple: "There is no God but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the prophet of God."Hence, Muslims perceive that meaningful life is to serve God's purpose and living a life that is linked to an eternal life on one hand, and attaining existential meaning from worldly goals and moral virtues on the other.
ALMSGIVING Explain the requirements of almsgiving in Islam.
The yearly tax of 2.5 percent of all that you own for the poor (paid by all Muslims and by all others living within a Muslim country. This may seem small, but it is not determined by yearly income; it's 2.5% of your total net worth paid every year). This is an important part of the social ethics of Islam.
