Chapter 10Islam

Pre-Islamic Arabia

The Prophet Muhammad

The Qur’an

The central teachings

The Five Pillars

Sunni and Shi’a

Sufism

The spread of Islam

Relationships with the West

Muslim resurgence

Key termsAllahcaliphfatwahajjHadithhijabhijrahImamIslamIslamistjihad

madrasamuezzinShahadahShari’ahShi’aSufismSunnahSunnisuraummah

Islamic TermsIslam – submission to Allah (god)Muslim – one who submits to the will of AllahHajj/Hegira – pilgrimage to MeccaImam – religious leader (Shia)Qiyama – Day of JudgmentJannah – heavenMinaret – prayer tower next to mosqueMosque – Muslim place of worshipMahdi – Islamic redeemer who will return

with Jesus on Judgment Day to save the world

DefinitionsPBUH- Stands for

“Peace Be Upon Him” and is commonly said or written after using the Prophet Muhammad’s name by Muslims.

Qu’ran- the Holy book of the Islamic faith, the word means “recitation”. Many believers, as well as Muhammad himself, were illiterate and learned all teachings orally.

Surah- a chapter within the Qu’ran

Ummah- the religious community

Ahl al-Kitab- “People of the Book”, refers to Jews and Christians or ‘people of an earlier revelation’

“Say: ‘Oh People of the book!Come to common terms as between us and you:That we worship none but Allah;That we associate no partners with Him;That we erect not from among ourselvesLords and patrons other than Allah.’”

Qur’an 3:64

“When you live in poverty and isolation, one of the things you hold on to is religion for your sanity, to keep you going. When you hear people crying in suffering and pain, instead of asking, ‘Where is God?’, this is God crying out to you, ‘Why are you allowing this?’”

Farid Esack, South Africa

Islamic Era - Chronology570 CE – Birth of Muhammed, founder of Islam610 CE – Muhammed’s vision that creates Islam

(Archangel Gabriel comes to him)622 CE – Muhammed leaves Mecca for Medina and

begins gaining converts – this event is known as the Hegira (Hajj)

630 CE – Muhammed and followers return to Mecca and overtake the city – the Kabah is set up as major Islamic shrine

632 CE – Death of Muhammed, his father-in-law Abu – Bakhr takes over and creates the title caliph; begins the creation of an empire of Islam by conquering neighboring lands. At Abu-Bakhr’s death Umar takes over as caliph. Muslims divide into many subgroups.

Islamic Era - Chronology718 CE – Spain is under Muslim control734 CE – Battle of Poitiers – Muslim spread is

stopped by Charles Martel of France762 – 766 CE – The Abbasid Dynasty takes over

from Umayyads (except in Spain) and move capital from Damascus to Baghdad

788 – 879 CE – Several countries break free from caliphate and set up individual kingdoms and dynasties

879 CE – Seljuk Turks begin conquest of Mesopotamia and Persia

900 CE – Fatimids take over in Egypt and conquer all of North Africa

Islamic Era - Chronology945 CE – Abbasid power falls to the Shiites969 – 1171 CE – Fatimid Dynasty recreates

a smaller version of the Caliphate in Egypt1037 – 1194 CE – Seljuk Turk Dynasty1077 CE – Seljuk Turks conquer most of

Arabia, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon1099 CE – Crusades begun against Muslims

in the Holy Land by Pope Urban1187 CE – Saladin ends Western control of

Holy Land (Outremer) after Battle of Hattin

Islamic Era - Chronology1248 CE – Muslims lose control of most of Spain

except area around Granada1251 CE – Malmuk Dynasty takes over caliphate

in Egypt1258 CE – Abbasid Dynasty is completely wiped

out by Mongol invasion1327 CE – Seljuk Empire collapses; Arab world

splits into several kingdoms1453 CE – Ottoman Empire defeats the Byzantine

Empire; move capital to Istanbul (Constantinople)1492 CE – Muslims completely expelled from

Spain

Islamic World

Spread of Islam. Greece, Spain are no longer ruled by Muslims.

The Prophet Muhammad Muslims consider Muhammad to be the final prophet

in a chain of prophets who brought monotheismWhile God is the focus and sole authority within Islam,

Muhammad’s life story is important as a model of Qur’anic teachings

Muhammad’s life became a model for Muslims to follow; those who knew him commented on his nobility, humility, and kindness

The revelations of the Qur’an speak not of a contemplative life of withdrawal, but of the need for Muslims to fight oppression and corruption and establish moral order in the world

Islam-The Big PictureThe Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)receives

the revelation of the Qu’ran in 610612 Prophet Muhammad (phuh)begins

preachingThe Qu’ran holds 114 chapters or

“surahs”. It took 21 years for the Qu’ran to be fully revealed. The Qu’ran’s surahs are not ordered chronologically but according to length- longest to shortest.

According to tradition, following the deaths of his uncle and his first wife, who had protected Muhammad from persecution, Gabriel carried Muhammad on a horse with a human head from Mecca to Jerusalem, where he ascended to heaven from the rock, now covered by the Dome of the Rock, on which Jews believed Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac.

Islamic Art – Dome of the Rock

Traditionally, Muhammad first received the Qur’an in this cave.

The Qur’an

The Qur’an [“Koran” is an alternate, less preferable spelling] contains the revelations Muhammad received, which affirm God’s unity and also direct life in human society

Because most Muslim artists were forbidden from depicting animals and humans, they concentrated on decorative designs and writing, especially in the Qur’an.

The Central Teachings

The oneness of God and of humanity Prophethood and the compass of Islam Human relationship to the divine The unseen life The Last Judgment

5 Pillars of Faith – (Sunni)1) Shahadah – profession of faith – “There is no God but

Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger”2) Salah – ritual prayer done 5x a day at dawn, noon, mid-

afternoon, sunset and evening3) Zakat – giving to the poor – everyone must give something

depending on what they earn4) Sawm – fasting during month of Ramadan – refraining

from food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk each day of the month – also supposed to get along with others better and get closer to Allah during this time (there are exceptions for health, etc.)

5) Hajj – pilgrimage to Mecca – every able bodied Muslim must make the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime – must walk around the Kaaba 7 times, touch the stone and symbolically throw rocks at the devil

In Shiite Islam there are the additional pillars of Jihad (personal struggle against Islam’s enemies) and Khum (giving a tithe to the Imam)

Additional ComponentJihad- Important concept in both Sunni

and Shia Islam, signifies a struggle. Two types, the struggle within (which the Qu’ran deals mainly with), and the struggle (wars of religion) without. Shia consider the inner Jihad an essential element of the faith.

Jihad is often misused in terminology and in its purpose. Terrorist group Al-Qaida is a Sunni organization.

Traditionally, Abraham and Ishmael built the Ka’bah where God created Adam. A meteorite, believed given by Gabriel, is set in a corner. Today, walking around the Ka’bah is part of the hajj, one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Kaaba

Malwiya minaret and Great Mosque

Sunnis and Shi’as

The issue of Muhammad’s successor led to a split between two factions: the Sunni (roughly eighty percent of Muslims) and the Shi’a

SunnisSunnis or “people of the Sunnah” emphasize

the authority of the Qur’an and the Hadith and Sunnah

Their understanding is that Muhammad did not appoint a successor but rather left this up to the Muslim community or ummah

For Sunnis, the caliph is the leader of worship and the administrator of the sacred law of Islam, Shari’ah

Islamic LawThere are different systems of Islamic law,

and varying interpretations of those laws.In general, shari’ah is based on the Qur’an

and the sunnah; its dictates are applicable to all areas of life from diet to inheritance to social justice.

It is frequently noted that shari’ah gave women rights they did not have in the west until the nineteenth century (e.g. the right to inherit, to divorce).

A famous law from the Quran5.38. As to the thief, Male or female, cut

off his or her hands: a punishment by way of example, from Allah, for their crime: and Allah is Exalted in power.

On WomenSura 4:3 says: “ And if you be apprehensive that you will not be

able to do justice to the orphans, you may marry two or three or four women whom you choose. But if you apprehend that you might not be able to do justice to them, then marry only one wife, or marry those who have fallen in your possession.”

Sura 4:34 says “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all)“

On suicide and killing “And do not kill yourselves, God is merciful with you. And whosoever does that (kills self) with aggression and inequity, we will make them suffer in Hell fire, and this is easy for God to do” (29-30, 4).

“He who kills a person without (the latter) having killed another person, it is as if he has killed all of humanity, and he who makes one person survive, it is as if he has caused all humanity to survive” (32,5)

"The person who participates in (Holy battles) in Allah's cause and nothing compels him to do so except belief in Allah and His Apostles, will be recompensed by Allah either with a reward, or booty (if he survives) or will be admitted to Paradise (if he is killed in the battle as a martyr). Had I not found it difficult for my followers, then I would not remain behind any sariya going for Jihad and I would have loved to be martyred in Allah's cause and then made alive, and then martyred and then made alive, and then again martyred in His cause."

Whoever purposely throws himself from a mountain and kills himself, will be in the (Hell) Fire falling down into it and abiding therein perpetually forever; and whoever drinks poison and kills himself with it, he will be carrying his poison in his hand and drinking it in the (Hell) Fire wherein he will abide eternally forever; and whoever kills himself with an iron weapon, will be carrying that weapon in his hand and stabbing his abdomen with it in the (Hell) Fire wherein he will abide eternally forever."

The Quran on Christians and Jews

5.51. O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust.

5.57. O ye who believe! take not for friends and protectors those who take your religion for a mockery or sport,- whether among those who received the Scripture before you, or among those who reject Faith; but fear ye Allah, if ye have faith (indeed).

5.60. Say: "Shall I point out to you something much worse than this, (as judged) by the treatment it received from Allah. those [people of the Book (Jews and Christians)] who incurred the curse of Allah and His wrath, those of whom some He transformed into apes and swine, those who worshipped evil;- these are (many times) worse in rank, and far more astray from the even path!"

5.64. The Jews say: "(Allah)'s hand is tied up." Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for the (blasphemy) they utter. Nay, both His hands are widely outstretched: He giveth and spendeth (of His bounty) as He pleaseth. But the revelation that cometh to thee from Allah increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. Amongst them we have placed enmity and hatred till the Day of Judgment. Every time they kindle the fire of war, Allah doth extinguish it; but they (ever) strive to do mischief on earth. And Allah loveth not those who do mischief.

5.69. Those who believe (in the Qur'an), those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Sabians and the Christians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness,- on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

5.72. They do blaspheme who say: "(Allah) is Christ the son of Mary." But said Christ: "O Children of Israel! worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Whoever joins other gods with Allah,- Allah will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help.

5.73. They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One Allah. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them.

5.74. Why turn they not to Allah, and seek His forgiveness? For Allah is Oft- forgiving, Most Merciful. 5.75. Christ the son of Mary was no more than an apostle; many were the apostles that passed away before him. His mother

was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their (daily) food. See how Allah doth make His signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth!

5.82. Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say, "We are Christians": because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant.

The Virgin Myth The Quran never mentions 72 virgins (it is in a Hadith (Islamic

traditional writings) The virgins mentioned in the Quran are for all Muslims, not just

martyrs "Dark-eyed virgins sheltered in their tents (which of your Lord's

blessings would you deny?) whom neither man nor jinnee will have touched before."

"The Prophet Muhammad was heard saying: 'The smallest reward for the people of paradise is an abode where there are 80,000 servants and 72 wives, over which stands a dome decorated with pearls, aquamarine, and ruby, as wide as the distance from Al-Jabiyyah [a Damascus suburb] to Sana'a [Yemen]'."

The word “hur” or Al-hur” can be translated in many ways, as hand maidens (female servants); dark eyed virgins; voluptuous women or “white pure raisins” and according to scholars, the use in the Hadith was meant for raisins….

Shi’a Shi’a Muslims are:

devoted to the memory of Muhammad and his close relatives

revere a succession of seven or twelve Imams (leaders, guides) rather than the Sunni caliphs

The death of Muhammad in 632 presented a challenge for the Muslim community. Who would lead the group and keep it unified? The answer affected the faith’s spread and its future.

• Muhammad had not named successor

• No clear candidate

• Abu Bakr, close companion, early convert, chosen leader, called caliph, “successor”

Muhammad’s Successors

• Abu Bakr focused on bringing back bedouin tribes

• Built strong Arab fighting forces to keep tribes under control

• Reunified Arabia, led forces north

Priorities

• Abu Bakr, successor Umar, expanded Muslim rule rapidly

• 637 early victory against Persian forces in Iraq

• 642 victory over Persian Empire complete

Expansion of Territory

Islam after Muhammad’s Death

The Sunni-Shia Split-It’s All About Family-

KhadijaFirst Wife

Prophet Muhammad

Fatima

Muhammad and Khadija are credited with having several daughters, although the parentage of them is questioned by scholars; they may have been adopted by Muhammadrather than sired by him. Uthman (the 3rd Caliph) was married to one of these daughters, Umm Kulthum bint Muhammad. However, historically these daughters havebeen marginalized, most likely because they did not bear any surviving children or survivetheir father. For the purposes of this presentation, all family relations have been simplified, thus we can state that Fatima was the only surviving daughter of Muhammad.

The Sunni-Shia Split-It’s All About Family-

Abu TalibMuhammad’s Uncle

Khadija (First Wife)

Prophet Muhammad

Abu BakrFriend and Early Convert

Aisha

FatimaAliMuhammad’s Cousin

The Sunni-Shia Split-It’s All About Family-

FatimaAli

1st Imam

Hassan2nd Imam

Hussein3rd Imam

Zaynab Umm Al-Kaltum

Ali Zain Al-Abideen4th Imam

All Other ImamsDescend from this

Line.

Muhammad’s Succession

632- Muhammad dies, leaving no confirmed successor*

Disagreement among clans on who will lead the faith- bloodline (Ali) or the one most capable

The Ummah (the Islamic community) elects Muhammad’s father-in-law (through his wife Aisha) Abu Bakr to lead the faith. He becomes the first Caliph - the leader of the Ummah.

The Rashidun (632-661)The Rule of the Four Righted Guided Caliphs

Name Ruled Died Known For

Abu Bakr1st Caliph

632-634elected

Natural causes, appointed his

successor

Quelled rebellion and united

Arabia

Umar ibn al-Khattab

2nd Caliph

634-644appointed

Stabbed in a Medina mosque by a POW with a personal grudge.

Wars of expansion (power not religion

but religion followed) to the

greater Middle East

Uthman ibn Affan

3rd Caliph

644-656elected

Assassinated by those from the elite of

Medina over the rise of status and power of the Umayyad clan.

Expanded the empire to North Africa and

Central Asia- but with much political cost. Standardized the

Qu’ran.

Ali ibn Abu Talib4th Caliph/1st

Imam

656-661elected

Assassinated by Kharajiites, a group

of dissenters to Ali’s rule

Ruled during the first Fitnah (civil war). His

place in history is denoted more for who

he was rather than what he did.

First FitnahA 5 Year Civil War that lasted through Ali’s ReignAngered over Ali’s reluctance to seek revenge in

the death of Uthman, Aisha and her kinsman lead a revolt against Ali in the Battle of the Camel, which was lost by the rebels.

Ali’s rule was not supported in Syria (where Uthman had appointed members of the Umayyad clan in power). Mu’awiya, governor of Syria, also wanted revenge for Uthman’s death. The Battle of Siffin (657) ended in arbitration between the two sides, which seriously hurt Ali politically.

A Community DividedThe Shia (followers of Ali) had been supporting Ali as the

rightful head of the Islamic faith since the death of Muhammad. Now as Ali was being persecuted politically, the idea of being unfairly treated was being ingrained in the Shia psyche.

As Ali was not actively seeking retribution for Uthman’s death, the Ummah was growing more and more discontent with the Caliph, garnering more support for challengers to the Caliphate like Mu’awiya.

The Ummah was also horrified by the infighting between those that had once been a part of Muhammad’s inner circle, the community wanted a strong leader, not only for their protection but for the preservation of the faith.

The true split in Islam came with the death of Ali. The Shia, who supported Ali went one way, and the Sunni, who followed Mu’awiya I (who declared himself Caliph and began the Umayyad dynasty) went the other.

Second FitnahMu’awiya I had managed to reconsolidate the

Ummah, although in order to keep the community intact long-term, a new style of government closer to a monarchy than of an Arab Chieftain was needed. Mu’awiya arranged for his son Yezid to succeed him.

Outraged at the choice of succession, Hussein (the son of Ali) and his followers demanded their rights to the Caliphate, which culminates in the Battle of Karbala in 680.

The Battle of Karbala and its outcomesSupporters of Hussein ibn Ali against

Yazid I, the Umayyad caliph.Horribly outnumbered: under 100 vs.

4000+Results- all men were massacred, women

and childern in capitivity and made to march to Damascus, including Hussein’s sister Zaynab

The Martyrdom of Hussein is celebrated by Shia, this day is called Ashura.

Sunni and Shia TodayPopulation statistics (Sunni 90%, Shia 10%)Cult of Martyrdom- the 12 ImamsConcept of the MahdiAreas of the World where conflict between

the two exist. Iraq and Bahrain

Sunni and Shia TodayConcealing Faith for Self ProtectionTemporary MarriagesFrequency of Prayer

Sufism

Sufism, the mystical tradition of Islam, dates back to Muhammad’s lifetime

Forms of Sufism are found in both Sunni and Shi’a Islam

Sufism has often stood in contrast to more legalistically oriented approaches to Islamic life, to the extent that some orthodox Sunnis do not consider Sufis to be Muslim

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gnWxiy44fA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_Cf-ZxDfZA&featu

re=related

Other Branches of IslamWahhabi (Wahabi) – sect in 1700s that

believed any forms of Islam after the 900s were wrong and need to be expunged, led to many jihad’s against the Sunni’s in particular.

Against ostentation so no minarets on mosques and only plain clothing allowed

An orthodox, traditionalist branch

Other branches of IslamIsmailis – form of Shia, accepts 12 Imams, split on 6th

Imam and successionDruze – offshoot of Ismaili sect, that promotes gnostic

philosophy, they believe the Fatimid Caliph will return on Judgment Day as the Mahdi

Ahmadiyya – founded in 1889, claim Mahdi came and his descendants are the caliphs in India

Hashashin – “Assassins;” an order of Ismailis that were trained killers meant to harass the Sunnis and others whom they considered heretics; rumors of the use of hashish to prepare them for their suicide missions and the promises of direct passage to heaven with wine and women

Other branches of IslamKharijite – only surviving sect is the Ibadi; claim the Imam must

be pure spiritually and stand fast in their faith; some Imams not accepted

Ahl-e Haqq – believe that god continuously manifests himself in reincarnations throughout time; world is divided into 2 – internal and external

Mahdavism – monastic version of Islam; focus on prayer and meditation

Moorish Science – founded in 1913 in America; claims all African Americans are originally Moors and therefore should be Muslim

Nation of Islam – founded in Detroit in 1930; believes Fard Muhammad was God on earth; “taking back the true place of the black man and woman;” considered heretical by most other Muslims

Other Branches of IslamBabs/Baha’i – followers of Shiraz, who claimed to be

Mahdi (Messiah) and changed his name to “The Bab”; broke away from mainstream Islam, and was executed in Iran in 1850; teaches humanity is one single race all coming from God

Sikhs – combination of Islam and Hinduism that rejects both religions policies of discrimination; equality of all humans

Nuwaubu – originally a sect of Islam; now more of a New Age cult, believes extraterrestrial beings speak through their founder Malachi York and reveal God’s plan; use ancient Egyptian and Sumerian texts to prove it.

The Spread of Islam

Islam spread rapidly as both a spiritual and secular power.

The stereotypical image of forced conversions by the sword is false; the more typical means of conversion came through personal contacts in trade, in the appeal of charismatic Sufis, and the example of particular Muslims

Islamic Culture

The Abbasids took over the caliphate in 750 CE, and moved the capital to Baghdad.

A period of great intellectual and artistic activity followed.

Islam absorbed, transmitted, and expanded upon traditions from other cultures, such as Persian art and poetry.

Islamic Art

Islamic Art

Eastward Expansion

Islam also moved eastward through central Asia into India and beyond

The Mongols and the Turks converted to Islam

Relationship with the WestMany Christians in medieval Europe denounced

Islam and Muhammad, portraying Muhammad as an idolater and Islam as a polytheistic faith

The legacy of such negative characterizations of Islam persists in the West to the present

Both Christianity and Islam consider themselves the ultimate religion

Islam in the West

Islam is the fastest growing religion in the United States, and may be the second largest religion in the country

About two thirds of American Muslims are immigrants and their descendants

The remainder are converts, most of whom are African- American

Muslim Resurgence

Most of the world’s oil-rich nations are predominantly Muslim

Oil wealth led to social change in many Muslim nations; in response, some Muslims turned to Islam as a blueprint for modern political rule

While modern industrial societies have tended to make religion a private matter, some contemporary Muslim reformers seek to create societies in which religious principles imbue all aspects of life

Tradition and Modern Life

In some countries, such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, particular versions of Shari’ah take primacy over European-derived legal codes.

Many women Muslim scholars are conducting a reexamination of the Qur’an and Hadith for new understandings of women’s issues.

There is no political unit of global Islam, and no single understanding of what a modern Islamic state should be.

Outreach and Education

Muslim outreach is on the increase, often using modern forms of mass communication such as satellite television

Islam in PoliticsMuslims and non-Muslims are concerned with the role various forms of Islam play in politics, especially interpretations of Islam linked to suicide terrorist attacks, and forms of Islam which express antagonism towards the West

The violence of groups such as al-Qaeda and Palestinian suicide bombers has led to growing anti Muslim sentiment despite efforts by many prominent Muslim leaders to distance their faith from such acts, arguing that the Qur’an provides no sanction whatsoever for terrorist acts

HolidaysSunni & Shia: Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice – Abraham

prepared to sacrifice Ishmael – replaced by ram 1/3 to family; 1/3 to friends and relatives; 1/3 to the poor), Eid al-Fitr (Festival of the Closing of the Fast) – 3 day celebration at the end of Ramadan, large meal served at the ending of the month long fasting from dawn to sunset; this festival concludes with a pilgrimage to Mecca (the Hajj)

1st of Muharram – New Year’s – spent in prayer, quiet holiday

Mawlid al-Nabi – Muhammed’s birthday – rememberances of Muhammed (Wahhabi do not celebrate it)

HolidaysShia: AshuraAshura- a day of mourning. Men would beat

their chests, and cut their bodies with knives. As most religious elite ban the cutting practice it still happens, they encourage the Shia to donate blood instead to commemorate the blood spilled at the battle of Karbala.

Holy PlacesSunni: Mecca, Medina, JerusalemShia: Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem, Najaf (Site

of Ali’s Tomb), Karbala

Islam for the FutureReligious modernists, Islamists, and secularists

are all trying to understand the roots of extremism in Islam and devise alternative means of relating to a changing world

While Western media may focus on sensational manifestations of Islamism, there are many currents of forward looking thought within Islam

Creating a culture of fearhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib9rofXQl

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHlb5FB26Lo&NR=1&feature=fvwp