5. islam
TRANSCRIPT
Islam “No part of the world is more hopelessly and systematically
and stubbornly misunderstood by us than that complex of religion,
culture and geography known as Islam.”- Meg Greenfield,
Newsweek
Legacy of Misunderstanding
Border Disputes Crusades Name of religion even incorrect and offensive
Mohammedanism Islam is correct and means “Peace and Surrender”
Islam’s History Descendants of Noah’s son, Shem
Consider themselves to be Semitic people just like Judaism
Follow the Jewish tradition through the story of Abraham to the banishing of Hagar and Ishmael
Descendants of Ishmael give rise to Islam
Great ConquerorsEmpire greater than even the Romans
Mohammad “The Seal of the Prophets”
Authentic prophets before him but he is the last
Born into the leading tribe of Mecca approximately A.D. 570 Life in the desert region difficult even in the best of times Orphaned at an early age
Mohammad Married a wealthy widow 15 years his senior who was a comfort to him throughout his life Continued to seek solitude from the ugliness that surrounded him in a cave near Mecca known as Mount Hira Ignores the dessert Jihn of the regional religion and focuses on one of the many gods called Allah
Mohammad Receives his Commission
An Angel in the form of a man visits Mohammad in his cave and orders him to proclaim Wife becomes his first convert
Reaction to Mohammad’s Message
Violent and Hostile 1. Monotheism threatened money coming
in from polytheistic pilgrimages 2. Moral teachings demanded end to
debauchery 3. Challenged an unjust social order
In the sight of the Lord, all people are equal Very Democratic message for the time
Hijra-Mohammad Moves to Yathrib
Spiritual leaders and nobility of Mecca worried about his growing numbers Yathrib in need of a strong leader
Promises to follow the precepts of Islam and obey the prophet in
622 ADThis is the year the Muslims use to start their calendar
Yathrib becomes Medina al-Nabi and eventually shortened to Medina
Mohammad’s New Role in Medina
Must become an administrator and statesmen to lead the people Manages to bring order to a city composed of five competing tribes (three of which were Jewish)
Battling with Mecca Mecca attempts to force Medina into submission and to capture Mohammad
First attempt thwarted by the Medinese Second attempt Mohammad wounded Third attempt laid siege to the city and lost permanently swinging the balance in Mohammad’s favor
Returns to Mecca a conqueror and forgives the city Rededicates the Ka’ba to Allah and returns to Medina
The Koran Recitation Most read and possibly most influential Mohammad considered this God’s “standing miracle”114 chapters and 4/5ths the length of the New Testament Considered a consideration of the Old and New testament
Jews and Christians are also people of “the book”
Purest scripture because it is free from inaccuracies caused by mistranslation and missing parts of the truth
Beliefs of Islam Many similarities in beliefs and traditions with both Christians and Jews
Do not believe in the divinity of Christ or the Incarnation
Shares the belief that God created the world and that it is good
Leads to the development of science in Muslim world while the west suffered through the dark ages
Abraham the most important figure of the Koran
Beliefs of Islam 1. Monothesism revealed through
Abraham 2. Then Commandments through
Moses3. Golden Rule through Jesus 4. Koran answers HOW to love your
neighbor
The Five Pillars “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is His Prophet “
Brings peace to Muslims on a daily basis Often uttered in times of distress to remind Muslims and place perspective on the crisis
The Five Pillars Daily prayer facing Mecca
Five times a day Explained during Mohammad’s ascent to Heaven
Originally God ordered 50 times a day but Moses encouraged Mohammad to renegotiate a number that would work for the people
The Five Pillars Alms and charity
Those who have should help those who have not Both income and possessions
Five Pillars of Islam Ramadan
Month in the Islamic calendar in which Mohammad:
Received his initial revelation Made the Hijrah
Fast from sun up to sun down
Five Pillars of IslamHaja
Pilgrimage to Mecca Walk seven times around the ka’baOnly Muslims may enter the inner city
Status of Women Pre-Islamic status was TERRIBLE Sanctification of Marriage did more to raise women's status than anything else
Koran states a woman must give her free consent before being wed Divorce a last resort
Men required to pay alimony
Polygyny is no longer common
Status of Women “Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks closely round them (when the go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognised and not annoyed.”
Religious Themes Now that we have completed our study of the great world religions, contemplate their similarities and differences in a broader perspective and return to the definition of religion. How does each of these religions meet the definition of religion?
ReligionA set of beliefs concerning the cause,
nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation
of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving
devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human
affairs.
Confucianism Not a religion in the normal sense Philosophy that governs the way of life of Chinese and other peoples around the world Founder: Confucius 551-479 b.c.Social and civic responsibility with a code to follow
Confucianism 5 basic relationships
Ruler and subjectsFather and sunHusband and wifeOlder brother and younger brotherFriend and friend
Code of proper conduct was developed for all these relationships
Not very woman friendly
Confucianism
Celebration:Confucius’ birthday celebrated on Sept 28th around the world Teachers also celebrated
Education an important part of a fulfilled life Authority just below that of father
Ritual:Honoring ancestors
Shrines in homes to honor the dead Prays and food offered Continued cooperation and aid for worshiping
ConfucianismWorship:
Confucius now seen as a god or spiritual leader with temples dedicated to him in many Chinese cities
Icon:Yin-Yang
Sacred Texts:The Analectic
Recorded by his students