Islam Pre-Islamic Arabia (pre-7th Century Ad)

Islam Pre-Islamic Arabia (pre-7th Century Ad) PRE-ISLAMIC ARABIA (pre-7th century AD) • Animistic- belief in spirits and worship of stones, the stars, trees, and sources water • Polytheistic- worship of many gods including the three goddesses: al-Lat (the great mother), Manat (goddess of fortune, life, and death), and al-Uzza (the Mighty One), hundreds of others (e.g., Hubal) PRE-ISLAMIC ARABIA (pre-7th century AD) • Idol worship (idolatry- worship of idols) • Drinking, dancing, and gambling were common characteristics of religious ceremonies in pre-Islamic Arabia. • Female Infanticide (many female infants were buried at birth) • The wealthy did not help the poor. PRE-ISLAMIC ARABIA (pre-7th century AD) • Muslims call this period, the “period of ignorance,” the period of Arab paganism. [Al-Jahliyya] • Jewish and Christian settlements existed in Arabia at this time as well. • Thus pre-Islamic Arabs were aware of Jewish and Christian beliefs and practices THE PROPHET • Muhammad ibn Abdullah of the Quraysh tribe of the Hashim clan (570632AD) • Born in Mecca, Arabia (a religiously diverse city of trade) • Orphaned at an early age but adopted by a wealthy uncle • A non-literate but well traveled and highly respected merchant. THE PROPHET • Around 610 Muhammad received a vision from the angel Gibril (Gabriel). • Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists). He has created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen. He has taught man that which he knew not. -Qur’an 96:1-2 THE PROPHET • From this time until his death in 632, Muhammad would receive other messages or revelations. • Muhammad is considered “God’s Messenger” and “The Seal of the Prophets.” • There were 124,000 previous messengers (this is a symbolic number meaning a lot). THE PROPHET • These messages were memorized and around 650 AD compiled into a written form becoming the Qur’an (Koran), the Holy Book of Islam. • Qur’an- Arabic for recitation • Written in Arabic and unchanged overtime. • 114 chapters (surahs) THE PROPHET • He preached the oneness of God, the goodness and power of God, the moral responsibility of humans towards God, and the judgment awaiting humanity on the day of resurrection (Sound familiar?). • Muhammad also stated that he brings nothing new and just brings God’s true message to both the Arab people and the world at large. THE PROPHET • Muhammad’s religious message is known as Islam (submission to God). • Those who practice Islam became known as Moslems or Muslims (one who submits to God). • Incorrectly referred to by Westerners as Mohammedans. • Muslims worship Allah (God) not Muhammad. THE FIVE PILLARS of ISLAM • shahadah – the confession of faith • salat - ritual prayer five times per day • zakat - giving alms to the poor • sawm - fasting during Ramadan, the Islamic Holy month • hajj - pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during the believer’s lifetime to visit the Kabba (also known as the Sacred House- the holiest place in Islam) Diversity Within Islam (Sunnis and Shias) Muslims: 85% Sunni and 15% Shias Shias or Shiites- the Partisans of Ali • Believe Muhammad’s divine knowledge was passed to his cousin & son in law, Ali and thus Ali should have become Muhammad’s successor • He eventually became the 4th caliph after Abu Bakr, Omar, and Uthman • Imamate- system of Shia leaders • Sunnis cannot marry Shias. Diversity Within Islam Sufis- followers of Islamic mysticism • Seek to establish direct communication with Allah through emotional experiences • Focus on love, not the fear of Allah • Primarily Sunni • Tariqa (way)- Sufi order or brotherhood (e.g., Qadiriyya) • Over 70 orders globally Islamic Customs/Law/Politics • Hadith – the traditions and practices of Muhammad as told by his relatives, friends, and scholars • Sunnah - the accepted and complete collection of all the hadiths (ahadith) • Sunni Muslims follow the Sunnah. Islamic Customs/Law/Politics Four Schools of Law: est. 8th/9th centuries • Hanafi (Turkey & C. Asia-liberal interpretation of Qur’an through reason and analogy) • Shafi (Arabia, E. Africa, Indonesia-liberal and stresses consensus) • Maliki (N. & W. Africa-moderate) • Hanbali (C. Arabia-conservative) Islamic Customs/Law/Politics Islamic Holidays: Two Major • Festival of Sacrifice (Eid al Adha) • End of Ramadan (Eid al Fitr) Other Important Days (Not Holidays) • New Year’s Day • Muhammad’s Birthday Islamic Customs/Law/Politics • sharia (the straight path)- Islamic law (based on the Qur’an and Hadiths) • haram - forbidden and punishable behavior • halal - permitted behavior (like the Jewish kolsher) • no clergy but an imam (religious leader) is selected by the community Islamic Customs/Law/Politics • hijāb- the veiling of women • purdah- the seclusion of women O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their veils all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known so as not to be annoyed- Qur’an 33:59* Islamic Customs/Law/Politics • jihad - effort or struggle, personal struggle against temptation but also includes religious defense (Westerners and some Islamic radicals incorrectly interpret this to mean war) And fight in the Way of Allah those who fight you, but transgress not the limitsQur’an 2:190 Islam’s Association with Judaism and Christianity • Verify! Those who believe and those who are Jews, Christians, and Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does righteous deeds shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall no fear, nor shall they grieve - Qur’an 2:62 Islam’s Association with Judaism and Christianity • This association is reflected in the similarity of names between the three religions: e.g., Abraham: Ibrahim, Ishmael: Ismail, Moses: Musa, Jesus: Isa, Gabriel: Jibril, David: Dawud, Jacob: Yakub, Solomon: Sulaiman, John: Yahya, Joseph: Yusuf, Mary: Maryam, Eve: Awa Islam’s Association with Judaism and Christianity • Muslims believe in legitimacy of four religious texts: Torah, Old Testament, New Testament, & Qur’an • People of the Book- Jews, Christians, and Muslims • Sunni Muslim men can marry a Muslim, Christian, or Jew • Sunni Muslim women must marry another Muslim Islam’s Differences with Judaism and Christianity • Jesus was not crucified And because of their saying, “We killed Messiah Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allah,” – but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but it appeared so to them and those who differ therein are full of doubts. They have no knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For surely; they killed him notQur’an 4:157 Islam’s Differences with Judaism and Christianity • There is no Holy Trinity and Jesus is not the son of God O people of the Scripture! Do not transgress the limits in your religion, nor say of Allah but the truth. The Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, was a Messenger of Allah and His Word which He bestowed on Mary and a spirit created by Him; so believe in Allah and His Messengers. [continued on next page] Islam’s Differences with Judaism and Christianity Say not: “Three!” Cease! (It is) better for you. For Allah is one God, glory be unto Him above having a son. To him belongs all that is the heavens and all that is the earth. God is the all sufficient protector. And Allah is All-Sufficient as a Disposer of affairs. - Qur’an 4:171 Muslims Today – United States United States: • Approximately 3.5 million (1% of US) • South Asians (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh) 34%, Arabs (Egypt, Iraq, Saudi, etc.) 26%, African-Americans (including Sub Saharan Africans) 25%, and Other Groups (Turks, Iranian, Balkans, European-Americans, etc.) 15% Muslims Today – United States United States: • Approximately 3.5 million (1% of US) • South Asians (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh) 34%, Arabs (Egypt, Iraq, Saudi, etc.) 26%, African-Americans (including Sub Saharan Africans) 25%, and Other Groups (Turks, Iranian, Balkans, European-Americans, etc.) 15%