Islam = “surrender” or “submission” to God Muslim = “one who surrenders [to God]” Life...
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Transcript of Islam = “surrender” or “submission” to God Muslim = “one who surrenders [to God]” Life...
ISLAM
Islam
Islam = “surrender” or “submission” to God
Muslim = “one who surrenders [to God]” Life is submission to God, even birth and
death. All actions are worship All people are born Muslim
Surrender to God, carry out his commands Commands touch nearly every aspect of life
Extends to politics Islam is entwined with Muslim empire
Islam = theology, culture, law, practice
Pre-Islam Arabia
Relative isolation Bedouins = nomadic tribes travelling from
oasis to oasis Kinship groups (tribes, clans) Personal honor connected to honor of clan No central government
Religion One supreme god, many minor gods
Muhammad
Born into wealthy tribe Married at 25 to Khadija Deeply troubled as youth
Didn’t like tribal conflict and Bedouin religion Solitary meditation in mountainside caves
40 years old – early revelations Gabriel – angel of revelation
Collected in Qur’an
Medina and Mecca
M was commanded to “arise and warn people” Undermined dominant tribe in Mecca Opposition tried to assassinate M
M’s wife and uncle die Flight to Medina Growing community of Islam Raids against Meccan caravans First holy war (jihad)
Jihad
Jihad = “struggle” Stay on path of Allah Fight injustice and oppression Create a just society
Military conflict Not meant to be aggressor No justification of forced conversion
Sacred Texts
Qur’an Eternal words of Allah
Divine revelation to M Hadith
Narratives of life and deeds of M Not compiled until 9th or 10th century Different collections for Sunnis, Shi’as
Central Teachings
1. Monotheism Absolute unity and uniqueness of Allah
Cannot represent image Has no “associates” Polytheists: deny sovereignty of Allah
2. Meaning and purpose of human existence
Fully centered on Allah Humans are Allah’s representatives (khalifa) No notion of original sin
Central Teachings
3. Social reform Serve Allah in relationships with others Model yourself on Allah
Compassionate Protective of weak Just Opposed to evil
De-emphasized importance of kinship
Central Teachings
4. Day of Judgment Dead resurrected
All life will stand before Allah’s judgment Unbelievers, selfish eternal damnation in hell Believers eternal paradise
Body and soul are perishable Will be resurrected for afterlife
Allah’s creation is good, but < paradise Life is “testing ground” for eternity
Five Pillars of Islam
Shahada: profession of faith There is no god but Allah, and M is his apostle “Allahu akbar” – “Greater is Allah” Declared publicly among believers, many
times a day
Five Pillars of Islam
Salat: ritual prayer At least 5 times a day Very specific:
Face toward Mecca Focus attention on Allah Full prostration Intimate conversation with Allah
Mosque = masjid (“place of prostration”) Friday = day of public prayer
Salat
We have seen thee turning thy face aboutin the heaven; now We will surely turn theeto a direction that will satisfy thee.Turn thy face toward the Holy Mosque [in Mecca];wherever you are, turn your faces toward it. (2:144)
Five Pillars of Islam
Ramadan: fasting Celebrates M receiving revelations Daily fast
No food, drink, tobacco, sexual activity Sympathy for poor Breaking of the fast – 3 day festival
Five Pillars of Islam
Zakat: almsgiving Giving worldly wealth to those in need Gratitude = imitation of Allah 2.5% of total income
Five Pillars of Islam
Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca Pilgrims wear special gown, don’t shave or cut
hair Arrive, bathe, enter Grand Mosque Ka’bah – black stone in center of sanctuary
Walk around Ka’bah