Reflection Paper on Islam
Theology Notes on Islam
- Islam is the youngest and fastest growing of the world’s major religions
- 6 billion people are Muslims
- Indonesia has the largest population of Muslims
- Soon to be 2nd largest religion in the US
- Islam means both submission and peace
- The fundamental purpose of human life is to submit to the will of Allah
- Submission to Allah means both peace here on earth and in the after life
- The word Muslim means “one who submits.”
- Islam is a monotheistic religion
Islam began in Arabia and was revealed to humanity by the Prophet Muhammad. Those who follow Islam are called Muslims. Muslims believe that there is only one God. The Arabic word for God is Allah.
Islam is a monotheistic religion (235)
Muhammad
Allah has spoken to many prophets but Allah’s most definitive revelation was given to Muhammad
Muhammad lived in Arabia in the 7th Century C.E.
Muslims have a sacred text, they believe that the words God gave to Muhammad are recorded and recited in the Holy Book, the Qur’an.
Stages of Development and Sacred Texts
Islam did not begin with Muhammad who received the word in the 7th Century
Muslims believe that Muhammad was the first prophet
Arabia in the 7TH Century
They believe in demonic spirits called jinn.
Muslims believe A large black meteorite was viewed as a spirit in an enclosure called “Kabba” (cube)
Prophet Muhammad
He was born in 570 or 571 C.E.
He was orphaned soon after birth and his uncle adopted him.
Muhammad had no formal education throughout his life.
He was known for his spirituality, generosity, sincerity, and ability to arbitrate disputes.
He always believed in the one true God unlike others in Arabia.
“Peace be upon him.” (PBUH) is said after hearing the prophet’s name or another prophet. (236)
At 25 years old, Muhammad married a 40 years old widow named Khadija.
Her wealth allowed him the ability for private spiritual discipline and reflection about the world around him. He spent time meditating the hills around Mecca. He believed in the coming judgment and it troubled him about the fate of those who worshipped idols. Muhammad was also concerned about the poor and oppressed in society.
While Muhammad was meditating during the month of Ramadan on Mt. Hira in his 40th year, an angel, Gabriel, appeared and spoke to him. Gabriel commanded him to read or recite the name of the Lord. During the next 23 years, Muhammad received a number of revelations. Muhammad remembered what he heard. Others wrote it down. The content of these visions became the Muslim sacred text, the Qur’an.
Muhammad proclaimed the message of the absolute unity of Allah. Since the people of Mecca benefited from the pilgrimage of the people to Mecca to the shrines at the kaaba, they did not respond enthusiastically to Muhammad’s challenge to worship Allah alone.
Khadija, Muhammad’s wife was the first convert. Then his cousin, Ali (who married Fatima, a daughter of Muhammad and Khadija) and a slave that Muhammad had freed, Zayd. 236
This was an exclusive Faith in Allah. (236)
A friend and father of Muhammad’s second wife, Aisha, Abu Barkr, was the next convert.(237).
Others, mostly of the lower classes of the Meccan society joined them.
615, opposition grew, Muhammad sent some people to Ethiopia to avoid persecution and to prepare the way for him joining them later.
622, Muhammad made a journey to Medina because of the opposition, his life was in danger.
His migration from Mecca to Medina marks of the beginning of the Muslim calendar. Dates are listed A.H. (for the year of the hijra). In Medina Muhammad established the first truly Islamic community, the model for all later Islamic societies.
A year after Muhammad’s arrival in Medina, his Meccan opposition organized an attack against him. 1) Caravan raids but later escalated into a full war.
629 the new faith became so strong that Meccans could not resist when Muhammad brought some of his followers to Mecca for a pilgrimage.
One year later, Muhammad led a force that conquered Mecca.
His forgave his former enemies but destroyed the idols in the kaaba, leaving only the black meteroric stone and its enclosure intact.
According to Muslim belief, the kaaba had been built by Prophet Abraham and his son, Ishmael.
Muhammad reestablished the rite of pilgrimage to Mecca, which Muslims believe had been initiated by Abraham himself.
Then, Islam grew and Muhammad was the undisputed political as well as religious leader of Arabia.
Tribal leaders swore their allegiance to Muhammad and he invited other nations to join the new “nation of Islam.”
After the death of his wife, Khadija, Muhammad took several additional wives some for political reasons. His favorite was Aisha, she would like be instrumental in development of Islam. (237)
In 632, Muhammad died at age 63 but he left no provision for succession.
His sons had died in infancy.
Abu Bakr emerged as the first caliph (“successor.”)
Yet the question of the rightful succession to Muhammad was to be the issue that led to the major division of Islam.
The Holy Qur’an (238)
Muslims call the Holy Qur’an the “Book.”
Muslims declare “the Holy Qur’ an” is the direct word of Allah.
It is the final definitive revelation to humanity. Although Muslims do recognize legitimacy of scripture of Jews, Christians and Zoroastrians (although they feel they were corrupted during transmission), it corrects the revelations given to earlier prophets of the other traditions.
Muslims believe that the Qur’ an is the unadulterated record of God directly speaking to all humanity.
The collected revelations are for Muslims a guide to the individual and collective life and thought.
Muslims believe that the Qur’ an is eternal and irrevocable.
It cannot be translated for it is God’s own speech. In other words, translation would distort its meaning.
Therefore, Muslims try to memorize the Qur’an in Arabic.
Many commit all 114 surahs (Chapters) of the Qur’an (about the length of the NT) to memory.
Those who do are called “the guardians of the Book in the heart.”
The first words of a baby born in a Muslim home hears are verses from the Qur’ an and the last for a dying Muslim.
The Qur’ an is also used to teach children Arabic.
The chapters of the Qur’an after the first are organized in terms of length, the longest to the shortest. Each chapter has a name like the Night, the Cow and Unity.
The content of the Qur’an includes
- Hymns in praise of Allah
- Signs of Allah
- Warnings about the coming Day of Judgment
- Exhortations about pious living, reminders of God’s involvement with people in the past through a series of prophets and guidelines for personal and social morality are found
When Muslims pray, the recite verses from the Qur’an. It is sung, chanted and meditated on.
To touch “the Book” one must be ritually pure.
The Qur’an is the principal foundation for all aspects of Muslim life
Its language sets the standard for determining grammatical rules in Arabic
It provides guidelines for the laws in Muslim societies
Artists paint its verses on buildings
Ordinary people pattern their speech and behavior after it
The Spread of Islam and the Rise of Islamic Civilization (238)
Timeline
Within year of succeeding Muhammad, Abu Bakr, the first caliph, died.
634-644 The second caliph, ‘Umar, remained in power
635 Damascus fell to Muslim forces
637 Muslims armies overthrew the Sassanid Empire (Iran)
638 Jerusalem and all of Palenstine under Arab control
They did not destroy Jerusalem. They were given “protected” status and allowed a certain amount of self-governance
640 Muslims took over Egypt
644, ‘Umar was assassinated by a Persian slave
644-656 ‘Uthman succeeded him
(640-649) Persia fell to Muslims (239)
661 The next Caliph was Muhammad’s son-in-law and cousin ‘Ali. He was forced to flee Iraq and
‘Ali was murdered.
771 Ummayad dynasty began after the death of Ali. They established their capital in Damascus. (from southern France to China) In 771 they entered Spain (initiating the Moorish culture(dominated Spain for nearly 800 years)
732 The Muslims were defeated in the Battle of Tours in 732
750-1258 the ‘Abbasid dynasty replaced the Ummayad dynasty except in Spain-moved the center of Islamic rule to Baghad, Iraq (apparently cooperation between the Jews and Muslims)-they spread Islam into India and China
Early 800s, Muslim Empire begin to split
Cordoba in Spain became great cultural center
Egypt, Syria and Palestine-Shi’ite Muslims
Seljuk Turks gained power in Middle East
Christian Crusaders entered the region
1187, Muslim leader, Salah-al-Din, led the resistance to Crusaders recapturing Jerusalem
Spread of Islam to Africa (Sudan and Somalia)
Then into West Africa
1300s Indonesia became Muslim region
Muslim growth in Africa and the Pacific region
Genghis Khan held power in Ira and Persia for 100 years
1300s Mongols from central Asia invaded the Middle East-many of the Mongols converted to Islam-Moghul Empire in India and Ottoman Empire in Asia Minor
Islamic civilizations brought advances in medicine, mathematics, physics, astronomy, geography, architecture, are, literature and history
700s, Muslim armies reached India
1300s peaceful migration of Muslims into India
1526 Most of India under Muslim control
1856 British rose to power
1453 Ottoman Empire (Nomadic Turkish tribes) seized Constantinople
1500s and 1600s Ottoman Empire (Muslim Empire) the most powerful in the world
1922, Ottoman empire came to an end
Then Colonial rule (Great Britain, France and Holland)
Many believe that decline of Islamic civilization occurred because of external European domination but also because of weakening faith among Muslims
Breaking down conflicts between Sunnis and Shiites
The Branches of Islam
Sunni and Shi’ite-question of proper succession to Prophet Muhammad
Sunni: The way of Tradition
Sunni is the largest 85% of Muslims identify as Sunni
Sunni (meaning “way’ or “manner of acting” (241)
Shi’ite The Party of ‘Ali (243)
Sufi: The Mystical Movement (243)
The sacred text is the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam
Hadith is the second authority-record of the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad revealed and received as a source of religious law and moral guidance
Sharia is Islamic law based on the teachings of the Qur’an and the prophet
The Revival of Islam (245)
Conservative (Islamist) movements have tried to purify Muslims invaded by Western and secular culture
Secular movements have tried to incorporate the concept of separation of church and state
Modernists have attempted to reform Muslim societies through reaffirming basic Muslim values and letting go of perceived unnecessary customs
Conservative Movements
The Wahhabi Movement (245)
The first modern movement to attempt to purify Islam was the Sunni Wahhabi movement of Arabia
-Hanbalite view that the true way is found in rigid adherence to the Qur’an and ways of Muhammad expressed in the hadith
all forms of shirk (Idolatry) should be rooted out and crushed
a strict simple lifestyle committed to following Sharia as seen as the proper way to live
Saudi Arabia
Beheading for adultery on violaters
Men and women are kept strictly separate in public places
Women are allowed to hold professional and other high positions (In keeping with the Qur’an that women should have equal opportunity
The Wahhabi movement has spread internationally through schools, mosques and other institutions
The Muslim Brotherhood (246)
Founded in 1928 in Egypt by Hasan al-Banna
Educational and political movement with goal of raising awareness in the Muslim World of the need to purge negative and secular influences from Islamic societies
It also attempts to purge leadership in Muslim countries affected by the Western powers with truly Islamic rulers
Hasan al-Banna taught that Muslims are caught in a struggle (jihad) between forces of Allah and Satan, good and evil, ignorance and truth.
life would be guided by Sharia law
In 1949 Hasan-al Banna was murdered by police a year after a Brotherhood member had assassinated the Egyptian prime minister
Sayyid Qutb rejected the nonviolent movement of Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt and issued a call to arms
He is regarded as the godfather to Muslim extremist movements around the globe
He urged others to engage in an armed struggle against pagan forces and ignorance, the secular, materialistic West and corrupt Muslim leadership influenced by the West
Qutb was executed in 1966.
He had a impact on Osama bin Laden and others
Hamas (247) Members of the Muslim Brotherhood rejected the group’s nonviolent strategies and formed Hamas, a movement committed to the armed liberation of Palestine
Hamas (the Islamic Resistance Movement in Palestine)
It seeks to create a Palestinian Islamic state to replace the Jewish state of Israel
Attacks began in 1989 with kidnapping and killing of Israeli soldiers, civilians and tourists
In 1992 Hamas initiated car bombings
In 1994 suicide bombings
Hamas is the largest among Muslims groups committed to using violent tactics to liberate Palestine. Hamas also has a political wing.
In 2006 Hamas won parliamentary elections in the Palestinian territory and took control of the Gaza strip
Militants within Hamas used their sanctuary in Gaza to launch rockets against towns in southern Israel
Israeli government responded with retaliatory strikes against Hamas strongholds
Israel and the U.S. have refused to enter into negotiations with Hamas until
-the movement renounces use of terroristic violence
-recognizes the right of Israel to exist
-accepts a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The Taliban (247)
In 1996 following the expulsion of the Soviet army, the Taliban (students) movement seized power in Afghanistan
The Taliban imposed their revolutionary, puritanical version of Islam
Women were prohibited from leaving their homes to go to work and girls were not allowed to attend school
In public, women had to cover their entire body
Note: Men were forced to wear beards, music and TV were banned.
Muslims internationally condemned the Taliban as distorters of Islam (only Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the United Arab emirates recognized the Taliban)
Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda
The Taliban gave refuge to Osama Bin Laden, a Saudi, proponent of a worldwide revolution against the West (248)
In Afghanistan Bin Laden viewed US as the principal source of evil threatening Islam
He established the al-Qaeda (“the base”), a network of those who embraced his militant revolutionary ideology
Bin laden was linked to the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center
In 1994 Saudi Arabian government rejected Bin Laden for his extremism and rejected his citizenship
In 2000, bin Laden issued a religious edict calling for Muslims to kill US citizens
9/11/2001, 19 hijackers flew commercial airlines into the twin towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon
By 2002 bin Laden’s camps in Afghanistan were destroyed, the Taliban was removed from power
In April 2011, bin Laden was killed in Pakistan by US Navy Seal special forces
US invaded Iraq in 2003, US left in 2011
Yet attacks by Al-Quaeda-affiliated continued
The Islamic Republic of Iran (249)
Shi’ite efforts to purify Islam
In 1979 Khomeini came to power, he was exiled by the Shaw but returned and Islamic Republic was formed
Intent was to create a purified Islamic nation
Khomeini became the guiding legal expert
Khomeini died in 1989
Note: The book says that a very small minority of conservative Muslims support the violence
Other Movements
Secular Movements (249)
The secular movement has sought the Western separation of religion from civil affairs
It happened in Turkey
Modernist (Progressive) Movements (250)
Rose in 19th Century Egypt and India have taken a middle ground between extreme Islamic conservatism and secularism
Urge return to basic values of Islam, not advocates of segregation of men and women
They believe the Qur’an speaks to recognizing gender justice
Embracing pluralism, a basic Muslim value, extending respect for and acceptance of all humanity with openness to what may be learned from the religion of others
Realizing that are fanatics who should be confronted and rejected
They rejected extremists like Osama bin Laden
Islamic Worldview
Humanity: From a Single Soul (251)
According to the Qur’ an, humans are created from the earth, with Allah breathing his spirit into humanity
Humans were created for the purpose of submission to the divine will.
Allah has given to humans, power over and responsibility to care for the earth and its creatures
Problem: Rejecting Allah’s Guidance (251)
Unlike Christianity, with Islam there is no doctrine of “original sin.”
Each child is born with an inner disposition toward virtue, knowledge, and beauty.
Allah graciously provides guidance in the fulfillment of his will, particularly with the gift of the Qur’ an.
Allah wants human beings to submit willingly.
Allah is omniscient and He knows who will respond to his will and who will not.
Allah determines the length of each person’s life.
In the Qur’ some passages show that Allah controls what happens to people day to day.
Common expression-“If Allah wills.” (252)
On the other hand, some passages show that Allah gives people the person to the ability to submit or not.
During one’s life, a person is given the chance to submit willingly to Allah.
-A person can reject Allah by worshipping other powers, whether another God or something secular.
Those who reject Allah worship other powers, another God or secular.
Basic problem: o be overcome is idolatry, the human tendency to worship creation rather than the creator—all powers are under the authority of Allah.
Cause: Distraction
Even though Allah has sent prophets to show people how to live, humans stray from this path.
The cause according to Islam is distraction.
Humans are distracted by the evil spirits who appeal to the earthly nature of humans causing them to forget what their higher spiritual soul is telling them to do
Humans are distracted by idolatrous tendency that leads to the one unforgiveable sin, shirk (“associating”) anything or anyone with Allah as an object of worship
Like Christianity and Judaism, Islam also teaches that an evil angel (Iblis) tires to lure people into turning away from the one true God
Note: Humans are not by nature corrupt, for as creatures of Allah’s image would imply some imperfection on part of the Creator
Nevertheless, only the prophets such as Muhammad and Jesus (in Shi’ite Islam, the Imams) are free from distraction. Therefore, they are models to follow to overcome distraction.
End: Paradise and the “House of Islam”
Judaism and Christianity, Islam is eschatological.
Muslims believe that Allah revealed to Muhammad the truth of the “end time,” although when it would occur.
The Qur’ an points to Day of Judgment—people will be judged on the basis of their deeds recorded in a heavenly book, and be led either to heaven or hell
The revelation of Allah, the basis of life
The “house of Islam or peace” –A society can be truly just and compassionate (253)
Goal that can be achieved before the end time
Like Medina and all Arabia, other nations, submitted themselves to the will of Allah
Conservative view: Dar al-islam-Sharia should be the only law in a society, for all areas of life must be submitted to the will of Allah revealed in the Qur’an and the other recognized sources of determining the right path.
Another Muslim principle is umma (“people”)
The idea of a single worldwide Muslim community
It has been the reason for different pan-Islamic movements which had tried to overcome the national and ethnic divisions within Islam.
Extremists like Osama bin Laden attempted to appeal the concept of umma to enlist the global Muslim community in their terrorist campaigns
Islam looks for the arrival of the figure known as Mahdi, will bring about a final age of peace and harmony (253)
Means: A Life of Submission
Important: Islam has no priesthood, no intermediaries between humans and Allah.
Each individual and each society is responsible for making the decision to submit willingly to Allah.
According to the Qur’ an, true joy is found in “remembering” Allah
Meaning not just remembering but also acting on basis of relationship of submission established with Allah
Right way to live-submit to Allah and abide by his teaching revealed through prophets Moses and Jesus and finally Muhammad
Righteousness-personal piety and social justice
The Five Pillars (253)
1st Repetition of the creed (There is no God but Allah; and Muhammad is His messenger (or prophet)
-Called the shahadah (“bearing witness”) it is recited daily in Arabic by all Muslims, regardless of their native tongue
For Islam, Muhammad is the “seal” of the prophets, the last messenger of Allah to humanity.
Adam, the first man, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elijah, Jonah, John the Baptist, and Jesus. (254)
Those who accept the revelations as they are written down are “People of the Book”
Or “People of the Covenant” and are deserving of special status and protection according to the Sharia
Note: Muslims that these writings have been distorted in transmission and ideas just as (the divinity of Christ) which are not authentic revelations.
2nd Pillar-daily prayer (254)
Muslims are required to pray five times a day
(early morning, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and evening)
in a Muslim community the sound of the crier (muezzin) calling the faithful to prayer at the five appointed times
The crier climbs the tall tower of the mosque and delivers the “call to prayer”
Four times he calls “God is most Great!,” then twice the shahadah. Then, he says twice each, “Come to prayer! Come to salvation!”-vocal call to prayer (today timed tape recordings of the crier have replaced the crier)
-If the prayer is in the mosque, Muslims remove their shoes. (254)
-They position themselves facing toward Mecca.
-They bend and bow with heads and hands on the ground
Shows complete and total submission to Allah
When responding to the call to prayer, Muslims strive to be in a state of purity spiritually and physically
Spiritual purification: Kindness, concern for others, gratitude and openness to God and sensitivity to moral issues dominant
Physical purification: Water is used to cleanse hands, face, mouth, nose, teeth and feet-if water is not available, then sand is used
Prayer (254)
Congregational prayer in the Muslim house of worship, the mosque
Males are required to attend noon prayer
Muslim male functioning as Imam, the congregation listens to sermon delivered by Muslim man learned in the faith (255)
Note: No recognized distinction between religion and politics in traditional Islam
3rd Pillar-Almsgiving (zakat “purity” or “integrity”)
A tax on certain kinds of property, including both money and goods that is paid at the end of the year
Purpose: (255)
- Provide for the needs of the poor of the community
- The upkeep of the mosque
- Other religious institutions
Charity is going beyond requirement of zakat to caring for the suffering
4th Pillar-Fasting during the entire month of Ramadan
All Muslims are sand and in good health
-Abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse during daylight hours each day of the holy month
-Mothers nursing infants and travelers are exempted
-Meal before dawn and another large meal when the sun sets
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar (Month that Muhammad received his first revelation) 255
5TH Pillar-Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) (256)
Qur’ an requires every man or woman who is able financially or physically able to make the journey to the holiest city of Islam, Mecca at least once in a lifetime.
It is modeled on Muhammad’s pilgrimage to Mecca shortly before his death in 632. (256)
It occurs in the 12th month of the lunar day.
-Men remove the traditional dress and put on the robe of Abraham
In Mecca, there is the kaaba
The meteorite, which was the focus of the pilgrimage to Mecca before the revelation of Muhammad is embedded in the wall of the kaaba
Note: Pilgrims reenact Hagar’s desperate search for water for her son Ismail (Ishmael) by Abraham, whom Muslims believe to be heir to the promise made by God to Abraham.
Medina is where Muhammad is buried.
Jihad
The 6th pillar
“holy war”
Presumption: Muslims must use aggressive violence to annihilate all the enemies of Allah. (257)
However, force is to be used only to defend against attack by infidels.
The Qur’an forbids the use of force in conversion; people must be allowed to choose freely. (257)
Reality: The Signs of Allah (257)
Allah is the creator of the heavens and the earth
Creation and the order and beauty are signs of Allah
Islam has supported the sciences and application of human
Belief that scientific discovery will inevitably confirm the truth revealed by Allah
View-the world is a place of goodness, to be enjoyed.
Islam is never been ascetic
Islam has a linear view of time
Islam dates its calendar from the migration of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina 622 C.E.
Sacred: There is No God but Allah (257)
Islam is strictly monotheistic
Muslim Creed-“There is no God but Allah”
Allah is personal; he alone is supreme.
He is the transcendent, omnipotent creator, who rules and judges over all
Qur’an-Allah’s ultimate revelation, his direct word to all humanity
To hear or to recite the words of the Qur’an is the holiest of actions
Other Spiritual beings: Angels, Gabriel-delivery the Qur’an to Muhammad
Angels like Gabriel and Michael are sent to lead people on the right path
The angel who opposes Allah, Iblis-creature of fire who opposes the angels
Iblis rules over hell until the final judgment
Iblis has no power independent of Allah
Everything happens as Allah wills
Islam in the 21st Century (258)
Traditionalists-desiring a “pure” Islam
Progressives-reform of Islam
Or will it be secular and the spiritual?
Concern with Anti-Muslim behavior-since 911- rise in Anti-Muslim hate crimes in the USA
