3/12/15 AGENDA

• Islam Quiz/Check in HW• Review Esposito (individually and in groups)

• HW: Begin to Study for Islam Test- next Wednesday• Espositio 1-157• Ramadan Readings• Quran Analysis• Hajj Video

PAG E S 1 - 1 5 7

ESPOSITO

WHY DO MUSLIMS OBJECT TO IMAGES OF MUHAMMAD?

• Islam prohibits Idolatry• Hadith prohibits

images of living being= aniconism

• Images of Muhammad have been used for education not worhsip

• Topic of much controversy (Buddhas of Bamyan, Charlie Hebdo)

DID MUHAMMAD HAVE MULTIPLE WIVES?

• Muhammad’s first wife Khadija passed away when he was 49• He contracted several

marriages for various reasons: political alliances, widows of fallen companions, importance of family and views of sex

WHAT DO MUSLIMS BELIEVE ABOUT A WORLDWIDE MUSLIM COMMUNITY (UMMAH)?

• Bond that transcends national and ethnic identities

• Serves as a witness of God’s guidance

• Essential unity of all Muslims – shared beliefs

• Modern day social identity• Most important identity –

reasons for concern, care, and protection (Bosnian and Albanian Genocide, Earthquakes, floods, etc.)

HOW DO MUSLIMS PRAY (SALAT)?

• 5 times a day facing Mecca and performed in Arabic – specified by Muhammad, not in Quran.• Combination of faith

and practice and puts the First Pillar (proclamation) into practice• Ablution is both

physical and spiritual

WHAT DO MUSLIMS BELIEVE ABOUT THE AFTERLIFE?

• Angels serve many functions- 2 angels to judge your deeds• Afterlife is both

physical and spiritual• Comprehensive and

integrated view differs from Christianity

WHAT DO MUSLIMS BELIEVE ABOUT THE AFTERLIFE?

• On judgment day, those whose “balance of good deeds is heavy” will go to heaven

• Hell is a place of immense pain and suffering

WHAT DO MUSLIMS BELIEVE ABOUT THE AFTERLIFE?

• No mention of gender- “But those who believe and do good deeds of righteousness.”

• Houris = heavenly spouses/ pure souls

• Reunited with earthy family as well

WHAT DO MUSLIMS BELIEVE ABOUT SAINTS AND MARY AND JESUS

• Saint = wali friend or helper• Quran warns against intercession• Some Muslims oppose concept of

sainthood, others do not• Mary is the only woman

mentioned by name in the Quran• Example of perfect Womanhood• Muslims believe in virgin

conception of birth of Jesus but Jesus is not the son of God

• Doctrine is opposed to the Trinity• Jesus is Prophet but not

responsible for salvation

3/16/15 AGENDA

• Hand Back Quiz• Review Esposito/Prepare for exam• Muslim Culture today

• HW: • Study for exam• Late work for Islam unit due

WITH YOUR GROUP, CREATE A CHART TO IDENTIFY THE DIVISIONS IN ISLAM

• Fundamental differences between Sunni, Shia, and Sufi, Wahhabi Islam• Explain “modern secularists”, “conservatives or

“traditionalists”, and “fundamentalists.”

SUNNI VS. SHIA

• The division of opinion about political and religious leadership came after the death of Muhammad• Sunni Muslims believe the most qualified caliph

should be successor• Shia Muslims believe leadership (Imam) should be

hereditary though Muhammad and began with son in law Ali.• The great majority of Muslims are Sunnis -

estimates suggest the figure is somewhere between 85% and 90%.

SUFI ISLAM

• Mystical tradition of Islam• Struggle to find

God is a practice that takes place in this world• “Greatest Jihad”• Came out of reform

movement

WAHHABI ISLAM

• Ultraconservative form of Islam – main religion in Saudi Arabia

• In the mid 1700’s Abd Al Wahhab called for a return to teachings of Islam

• See world as Muslim and non-Muslim

• Distinguish between ultraconservative and militant

FINAL TERMS

• “Modern Secularist” – reformers who also implement ideas in government and politics.

• “Conservatives” – focus on survival, preserving, and protecting Islam as they have known it to be.

• “Fundamentalists” – those who want to make a change (not always radicalism). Activism is perhaps the closest definition.

IN YOUR GROUPS.

• Using your study Guide work through the Espostio: “Cultures and Customs” questions. Work together to talk through your responses.

• Write down any questions that you do not understand and note what your group members said to help come to an understanding

• I will come by and check with groups regarding specific questions

CUSTOMS AND CULTURE (WOMEN)

• Muslim societies practice different forms of gender segregation or seclusion• Becoming less common as the world becomes

globalized- men and women increasingly work and study together• Many ideas of gender norms come from how

Muhammad's wives are perceived in the Quran – some scholars believe these verses only apply to these specific women• Thus, women in Muslim countries are gaining

larger roles in both the religious and political arenas.

CUSTOMS AND CULTURE (WOMEN)

• Quran declares that men and women are equal in the eyes of God

• In mainly patriarchal societies, Quranic verses have lent themselves to analysis of women’s roles as second class citizens ex: divorce

• Various differences in women’s experiences in Muslim societies

• Historically, women were very involved in early Islam.

CUSTOMS AND CULTURE (MEN)

• Attire is not mentioned in the Quran

• Veiling was seen as a status symbol and become a symbol for Muslim women in various classes

• Men wear head covers for various reasons and can be specific to culture not religion

• Many men wear beards to honor the Prophet Muhammad.

• Circumcision is required – a physical submission to God

• According to Quran, a man can marry up to four wives – yet this practice is very uncommon today

VIOLENCE AND TERRORISM

• Jihad = exertion or struggle- comes form the Quran’s command to struggle to follow the path of God and example of Muhammad. Can be various struggles (internal/moral, improves ones life, fight oppression, spread Islam, creating a just society).

• Jihad can be violent and non violent• Does not mean Holy War – Lesser Jihad (war) was

used to justify imperialism and empire building in the past and acts of terror today.

• Global Jihad is a complex Idea• Modern day use of Jihad goes against tenants of what

Jihad actually means.