Islam

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Islam

• Surrendering to the Will of God

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Islam

• 1. The Arabic word Islam derives from the same
  root as which Hebrew word?
• 2. Islam means what?
• 3. Why do Muslims believe all of creation is
  Muslim?
• 4. Why do Muslims consider Jesus, Moses, and
  Abraham genuine Muslims?
• 5. At the center of Mecca is a cube-like
  structure called what?

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continued

• 6. The Hijrah means this, referring to which
  historical event in Muslim history?
• 7. Regarded as the successors to Muhammad,
  these Sunni leaders are called what?
• 8. Shiah Muslims support these leaders known as
  what?
• 9. Enforcing Shariah, or______, is the primary
  duty of the caliph

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Key Questions Day 1 Islam

• How has Muslim history and geography influenced
  the development of Islam?
• How has Muslim civilization contributed to
  Western civilization?

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A. ROOTS

• Religious Abrahamic Family
• Judaism
• Christianity
• Etymologies
• Islam - Arabic s-l-m peace or surrender
• Muslim - M-s-l-m one who surrenders
  (peacefully)
• Allah al Ilah The God

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B. Life in Mecca (during Muhammads time 6th
Century AD)

• The deserts profound impact on Islam. Life in
  the desert was
• Violent tribes robbed and fought for scarce
  resources
• Fatalistic life was often brutal and short
• Society chaotic, harsh, tribal,
• Traders prostitution, drinking, gambling
• religion animistic polytheism
• demons personifications of peoples fears jinn
• Arabia needed a social revolutionary

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Muhammad the Seal of the Prophets (570-632 CE)

• Born into the leading tribe of Mecca the Koreish
• Father died before his birth mother died when he
  was eight
• Adopted by uncle
• Own hardships allowed him to feel compassion
  (like Jesus, Siddhartha)

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Muhammad Life continued

• Early Adulthood
• Disgusted by public life, isolated himself
• Developed reputation for honesty, kindness
• Adulthood (age 25)
• Entered caravan business
• Married Khadija (wealthy and 15 years older)
• married 15 years, four children, all girls, all
  theirs, later more wives

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• Spirituality
• Mount Hira retreated to a cave in prayer
• Allah Arabic creator deity worshipped by
  hanifs (mystics)
• All-night vigils allowed Muhammad to feel the
  awesome presence of Allah
• Muhammads religious experience began with, La
  ilaha illa llah! There is no God but God!

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• The Night of Power (Al-Qadir) 610 CE
• In the cave, he heard, Proclaim from an angel
  and the Book was opened to him
• Went back to Khadija she became first convert
• Preached for 23 years, persecuted, insulted,
  outraged

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• How would you describe Muhammads Ministry?
• Did not pander to miracle-hungry people
• Did not inflate his own image
• I never said that Gods treasures are in my
  hand, that I knew the hidden things, or that I
  was an angel. I am only a preacher of Gods
  words, the bringer of Gods message to mankind.
• Signs of God
• Not in supernatural miracles (magic), but in the
  miracle of Creation, the order of the universe
• Led Muslims to science long before the West
• Only miracle was the Koran God dictated to me
  (Muhammad, like most Arabs of the day, was
  illiterate)
• Muhammads illiteracy believed to be an essential
  element of faith it makes the Koran more
  miraculous

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• How did Meccas religious and political
  establishment react?
• First greeted with ridicule, then open
  persecution. Why?
• Threatened polytheistic beliefs
• Threatened revenue coming into Mecca from
  pilgrimages to 360 shrines
• Moral demands end licentiousness
• Challenged an unjust social order democratic,
  equality before God
• In 3 years, there were only 40 converts
• In 10 years, there were a few hundred families

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The Hijra, (migration to Medina Yathrib)

• 622 CEMuslim calendar is dated from here
• Too dangerous for Muhammad to stay in Mecca
• Left with 70 families
• Medina (the City) was ridden with tribal
  rivalries and needed an objective, outside leader
• Leaders of the town invited Muhammad to govern.
  If he was successful, they would all convert

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The Spread of Islam

• Muhammad died in 632 CE with all of Arabia
  converted
• Armenia, Persia, Syria, Palestine, Iraq, No.
  Africa, Spain were conquered by 700 CE
• Defeated in 733 CE by Charles Martel at the
  Battle of Tours
• All of Europe may have been Muslim

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Quote of the Day

• Meister Eckhart There is no becomingthere is
  one Now..a becoming without becoming
• What does this mean?
• It means that we, along with the entire
  universe, are blossoming and being renewed so
  that we can be who we already are Brian Pierce,
  We Walk This Path Together

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Woman of Faith Thanks-Yous

• Dear Illustrious Woman of Faith Panel,
• In all sincerity, and on behalf of the Religion
  Department and Preston as a whole, I can't thank
  you all enough. I am convinced you connected with
  more than a few girls and made a difference in
  their lives, outlook, and faith journeys. So many
  of the students, teachers, and administrators
  continue to rave about how wonderful and
  interesting you all were. Expect some e-mails
  from students. A couple have e-mailed me
  wondering when I was posting your info so they
  can communicate with you. I would be honored to
  have you all come back again next year, if your
  schedules allow for it.
• May our God bless all of you and watch over you
  and yours.
• 
  
  Sincerely,
• 
  
  Mark King,
• 
  
  Chair, Religion Department,
  Preston HS

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Thank-Yous

• Although I wouldnt presume to speak for my
  colleagues, I feel its safe to conclude we, too,
  were enriched by being with the young women in
  your schooland with each other! You might be
  interested to know that in my Shabbat study
  session yesterday morning, the 40-50 Jewish
  adults in the room were discussing the same
  issues of the elusiveness of faith, how/why G!d
  hides from us, and the strength that comes from
  community. As I mentioned when I spoke Thursday
  morning, its the questions that often provide
  the biggest opportunities for learning. The
  answers are constantly changing.
• Be well, Mark. And thank you for the opportunity
  to share in your students journeys. Joyce

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Thank-Yous

• Dear Mark
• I am deeply humbled by the experience, as well as
  the interest that the young ladies displayed.
  Having spoken many places, I can truly say that
  this engagement was truly a wonderful example of
  what the world should be..and something to truly
  work harder towards. I felt honored in having
  met you, your wife and the staff, as well as the
  other panel members and the students. I am so
  appreciative to G-d for the opportunity to be
  guided in this direction and look forward to
  returning whenever the call comes. I also look
  forward to hearing from the students as well, so
  please do forward my email. I am a consistent
  student of G-d and believe that people are put in
  my life to learn from as well.
• Thank you, again.
• Be well, stay well,
• Sana Shabazz

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Thank-Yous

• Dear Dr. King
• Thank you!!! The honor was all mine and please
  know that I will be glad to come over anytime.
• It was a joy and blessing to be with my sisters
  and I am so sorry I could not stay longer. I hope
  we can plan on meeting again and spending some
  time together outside of a structured setting.
  Rev Brooks

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Essential Questions Islam

• How do Muslims view the Koran (Quran)?
• How do Muslims view Hebrew and Christian
  Scripture?
• What are the Sunnah and Hadith?

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The Quran (Koran) Recitation

• Most recited and read book
• 4/5 the size of the New Testament
• Muslims tend to read the Koran literally
• Revelations from Gabriel to Muhammad over 23
  years
• The Koran is the final and infallible revelation
  of Gods will.

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Quran cont

• Considered culmination Hebrew and Christian
  Testaments.
• A return to the original, pure faith of Abraham
• Jews and Christians only part of the Truth
• Each partially corrupted in transmission.
• Other difference from Hebrew and Christian
  scripture? no stories very repetitive
  guidelines on how to live each day

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Quran continued

• Quran forbids primogeniture passing of wealth
  to oldest Why?
• Main protection for women? Widows retain wealth
  of husband

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Sacred Stories Sacred Scriptures

• The Quran most sacred book direct Word of
  God
• The Sunnah (oral tradition written down)
  authoritative commentary on Quran 2nd most
  important
• Hadith similar to Sunnah stories of Muhammad
  seen as Exemplar (?)
• Hebrew and Christian Scriptures? revealed word
  but incomplete second hand
• Examples of Christian Scripture you have
  memorized?

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The Five Pillars of Islam

• What is the ultimate purpose of the Five Pillars
  in Muslim life?
• What are the pillars of your life?

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Five Pillars

• The Creed- the Shahadah
• There is no God but God, and Muhammad is His
  Prophet.
• Prayer salah, (or salat)
• Five times daily, Facing Mecca, Washing precedes
  it
• Ends in the prostrate position
• Symbolizes the fetal position (rebirth) and
  submission before Allah
• Charity zakah (zakat)
• 2.5 of all holdings
• Fasting Ramadan
• Pilgrimage to Mecca the Hajj
• In Mecca, all Muslims wear two white sheets

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Five Pillars cont

• Goal of Pillars?
• Daily reminders
• to beware of idols
• To remember Allah is always in control humility
• That we are one before Allah solidarity with the
  poor
• To be grateful to God for many blessings

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Jihad Holy War

• What is the difference between Greater Jihad and
  Lesser Jihad?
• Muhammad called for Holy war in situations where
  Muslims were being oppressed by infidels
  (non-believers)
• Lesser Jihad armed military campaign against the
  infidel
• Greater Jihad
• war against the evil within one s self

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Modern Period

• Key Questions Answer for Homework
• How did the rise of Western Europe lead to the
  decline of Muslim world?
• How did Muslims come to view Christian
  missionaries from the West?
• How did certain Muslim leaders come to explain
  the political, economic and moral decline of
  Islam?

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Key Questions continued

• Who was the Sick Man of Europe at the beginning
  of the 20th century?
• How did secularization and colonization lead to
  the Iranian Revolution?
• What are some of the key beliefs of the Nation of
  Islam?
• Why do many Sunni Muslims not accept the Nation
  of Islam as true Muslims?

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The Modern Period Background

• The Golden age of Islam ended with the Rise of
  Western Powers (Great Britain, France, United
  States)
• Arab empires followed by the Ottoman Empire
• Economic, industrial, military, political power
  of West led to colonization of Islamic lands
• With this came Christian missionaries

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Sacred Time

• Ramadan
• Month of fasting
• Commemorates the revelation of Quran to Muhammad
  by Gabriel

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Eid al Fitr

• Festival of Breaking the Fast
• Parties
• Children get presents

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Eid al-Adha

• Celebrates end of the Hajj
• Commemorates Abrahams willingness to sacrifice
  his son Ishmael
• Muslims often slaughter an animal

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Ashura

• Celebrates God freeing Moses and the Hebrew
  people from Egypt
• A day of fasting
• Shia Muslims remember martydom of Husayne
• Reenact his death through passion plays

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Basic Review

• Islam
• A monotheistic religion
• Muhammads birthplace Mecca
• Muslim holy text the Koran the most widely read
  book in the world
• Know the Five pillars
• Muslim house of worship mosque
• Muhammads wife Khadji

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• Muhammads religious experience in cave
• Know the Muslim Holy Month Ramadan
• Meaning of the words Islam and Muslim to submit,
  a slave to God
• Know where Muhammad set up the first Muslim
  community Yathrib
• Know Koran forbids primogeniture passing wealth
  of family to one child, usually eldest male
• The ultimate power women have when it comes to
  marriage they inherit the husbands wealth

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• Three instances that the Koran mentions polygamy
  as acceptable war, when the wives are treated
  equally, when there are less than four
• What did Allah reveal through Jesus? the Golden
  Rule, love your neighbor
• The Shahadah? The Muslim Creed There is no God
  but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet
• Muslims are required to pray 5 times a day
  sunrise, noon, or zenith of sun, mid-decline of
  sun, sunset, before bed
• Know the difference between Greater and Lesser
  Jihad