Studies of Religion 2
Preliminary Study Paper: 3
Religious Tradition Study 1 - ISLAM
- ORIGINS
- PRINCIPAL BELIEFS
- SACRED TEXTS AND WRITINGS
- CORE ETHICAL TEACHINGS
- EXPRESSION OF FAITH
Origins –
- Pre-Islamic Arabia – Outline the social conditions and religious practices that existed.
o Islam began during the 7th Century CE on the Arabian Peninsula.
o Extremely arid desert, dominated by sand dunes and steppes, little vegetation.
o Bedouin tribes were semi nomadic and lived agrarian lifestyles.
o Two major cities existed: Mecca and Medina
§ Both cities are close to trade routes
§ Mecca is close to the Red Sea
o Religious observance was varied and most would adhere to local nature religions.
o Polytheistic and Animistic religions prevailed, idols, ritual, etc.
o Monotheistic religions of Judaism and Christianity were minority groups.
o In Mecca, the Ka’ba was at the centre of tribal beliefs. The Quaraish tribe controlled the access to the Ka’ba and as such reaped huge profits; many resented this.
o The Hanifs were devout Arabs which would take a more revered approach to faith.
o The Hanifs opposed the commercial oligarchy and vested a belief in the existence of one supreme God, a creator God. Muhammad was born into a Hanif tribe.
- The Prophet Muhammad – Examine principal events and explain him as a role model.
o Muhammad ibn Abdullah is the central prophet and founder of Islam.
o Born in 570 CE – Early awareness of the social, political and religious Arabia.
o Muhammad was a trusted merchant who married the wealthy Khadija at 25.
o The couple had two sons (died young) and four daughters together – Fatima
o Muhammad was deeply spiritual and a capable leader even before his revelation.
o 1. The Night of Power, First Revelation: In the cave of Hira he would often meditate and reflect. In 610 CE, when he was 40, he was visited by the angel Gabriel. The angel embraced Muhammad and demanded he recite a fundamental verse of the Quran; this sacred, god-written text would be gradually handed to Muhammad through different revelations and visions. After two years of waiting the angel instructed him to spread the word. Muhammad displayed full submission to the will of Allah as well as patience in terms of preaching, desirable attributes for adherents.
o 2. Spreading the word in Mecca: Muhammad wanted to preach the message and teachings of Allah to the people of Mecca. He found the city to be falling dangerously under commercial control, with faith taking second place. His core message was about the monotheistic nature of the one true God and the imperative to submit to Allah. This message contrasted with the polytheism that was rampant. The message was not well received at first and he was widely ridiculed. This was a personal ‘Jihad’ for Muhammad and showed adherents his humbleness and perseverance.
o 3. Night Journey: During the ‘year of sorrow’, Muhammad experienced the night journey, where he was visited in his sleep by the angel Gabriel. The angel took him to Jerusalem on a divine steed known as Buraq, where he met previous prophets and was affirmed of his status as the final messenger. He was then taken through the 7 heavens and came in the vicinity of Allah; it was here that Allah told him of the 5 prayers per day belief.
o 4. Journey to Medina: Towards the later part of his life he was asked to travel to Yathrib (medina) to assist followers there. The journey was one of great tribulation and danger. After being well received in Medina he would set up his home there. The year 622 CE was declared the first in the Islamic calendar. His leadership in this city would make progressions in areas such as women’s rights, social justice, labour exploitation and peace. He was seen to have changed the social agenda of Medina in the name of Allah.
o 5. Battle and Death: In 630 CE, Muhammad led the ultimate battle for Mecca. The battle was a success for his forces and the city was captured in the name of Allah and proclaimed as the true ‘holy city’ of Islam, one which today is a centre for ‘hajj’ pilgrimage. Muhammad then returned to Medina and died from an illness at age 63 in 632 CE.
o Role Model: ‘Islam’ translates in Arabic as surrender or submission, which is the paramount dogma of the tradition. Muhammad is seen as the perfect example of submission to Allah’s will. Muhammad affirmed his place as a mere prophet and reminded followers that worship is solely for Allah. He is the final of many messengers, including Ibrahim and Isa. He is a role model as he fearlessly revealed the word of Allah to a predictably hostile society, placing full trust in Allah. To adherents he is the true embodiment of their belief structure and an inspiration for their own faith.
o Quote – “Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people” – Muhammad’s last sermon
- Development of Islam + Four rightly guided Caliphs – Describe the development after the death of Muhammad by the 4 caliphs, account for the emergence of the Sunni and Shia.
o After Muhammad’s death, the umma was at risk of falling apart. His death was unexpected and as such no successor had been approved or recognized. The community soon erupted in debate regarding future religious authority.
o For the next 30 years umma was governed by 4 ‘rightly guided Caliphs’:
o Abu Bakr, 632-34: Early follower of Muhammad and father of his favourite wife, Aisha. He was recognized as successor by the prophet’s companions. He united the Islamic tribes and attempted to retain the Quran into a written form. Known to restabilise the community.
o Umar, 634-44: Designated successor to Abu Bakr. Member of the Quaraish clan and father of Muhammad’s wife Hasfa. Extended Islamic rule to Persia, Syria and Egypt.
o Uthman, 644-56: Selected by a council to succeed Umar. Under Uthman, the Quran was compiled in its final form. His murder would fuel conflict amongst the community and delay the development of Islam.
o Ali, 656-61: Muhammad’s closest male relative, his paternal cousin. Married to his daughter Fatima. Ali moved his geographic capital to Iraq. His reign experienced great religious upheaval and divisions that would result in the great split into the Sunni and Shia groups.
o A majority of Islamic administration had the ability to significantly expand their rule. Islam soon spread outward from the Arabian Peninsula and began to take conservative footholds in the Middle-East, Africa and Europe. Religion was central to political organisation; thusly faith played a heavy role in areas of law, warfare and economics. During the Abbisad dynasty the concept of Sharia Law emerged. This centralised the teachings of the Quran and Hadith into the judicial system.
o Sunni and Shia: Two main groups within Islam today. The Sunni hold a 90% majority over the 10% of Shia. These groups share the same core beliefs and differ only in the area of political leadership. These factions formed from a schism proceeding Muhammad’s death.
o Sunni: This group believes that the leader should be chosen from the decedents of Muhammad’s tribe, not just those from his direct family lineage. They also believe that Allah’s revelations stopped with the death of the final Prophet. They use caliphate as their dignitary term. Most prominent in Indonesia.
o Shia: Also known as ‘Shite’ or ‘Shi’a’ Muslims. This groups holds the belief that leader must be descendent from Muhammad’s bloodline. They believed that the related Ali should have been the successor to the Prophet. Shia Muslims were outraged with the choice of Muawiya as the replacement for Ali after his assassination. Shia Muslims are believed to be generally more extremist and staunch. Imam is the term used to replace caliphate, as they believe that the original term has lost reverently. They believe that the last Imam did not die and still exists to assist faithful Muslims in times of need. Most prominent in Iran.
Principal Beliefs –
- The articles of faith explained in the Aqida:
o The Aqida is the Muslim creed derived from early Islam.
o It is a verse from the Quran which sums up the Islamic belief system.
o There is no single formulation of this creed but all contain essential elements.
o Tawhid, Angels, Books, Rusul, Akhira and Fate/Predestination.
o Tawhid:
§ This is the manifested belief regarding Allah’s oneness and absoluteness.
§ The Tawhid describes Allah as omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient.
§ Their God is both Immanent in his proximity to the hearts and minds of adherents yet Transcendent in terms of creation and reality.
§ Allah was never created but rather has always been eternal.
§ He is supernatural beyond all possible human or natural ability.
§ Any personal pride or attribute is belonging to Allah.
§ Possessions are all owned by Allah.
§ All circumstances have a purpose from Allah and should not be dismissed.
§ ‘Shirk’ – Is the denial of any part of the Tawhid, particular that of monotheism, and is the most severe sin.
§ As adherents are dedicated to the will of Allah through Tawhid they can more easily access their search for meaning. Surrendering to the will of Allah provides purpose and determination.
o The role of the Books of Allah and the prophecy in Islam:
§ Prophecy is regarded as an essential element of Muslim belief; it outlines the way in which Allah becomes present to humanity.
§ Allah sent many messengers to earth; Muhammad is seen as the final and greatest of some 24 prophets. Referenced as the ‘seal of the prophets’.
§ Rusul: refers to a prophet that has been given a particular mission by God and one who delivers a sacred book. Biblical figures are often Rusul.
§ The Quran places special emphasis on those who delivered the holy books. These books are referred to as the ‘Books of Allah’.
§ These books have been altered over time and as such the Muslims source a lot of meaning from the well-preserved books of Judaism and Christianity.
§ The Quran is seen as the final and most reliable of these divine books.
o The Principal beliefs about Angels, the afterlife and fate/predestination:
§ Angels: The angels of Islam are created from light to service and aid Allah, the most significant is the Angel Gabriel. Each adherents has two angels that record their good and bad deeds throughout life, these are acknowledged in their daily prayer.
§ Afterlife: Human life on earth is a test that determines the eternal fate of an individual; life after death is known as ‘akhirah’. Adherents believe that all situations in life are to be respected as the will of Allah and as faithful Muslims they must submit. Free will exists as an important indicator of submission. Life on earth is only temporary and acts as a test, but afterlife is eternal and divine. Allah has sent angels to observe adherents lives and thus they must all be responsible for their actions. There are beliefs of a final day of judgement.
§ Fate/predestination: Muslims understand that Allah is all knowing and that nothing happens according to chance. This idea of supernatural planning is called ‘Al-Qadr’. However, free will is God-given and can determine destiny. Fate is not observed in Islam, as all is predestined or a product of free will.
Sacred Texts and Writings –
- The Quran and the Hadith: Identify the importance of the Quran and Hadith.
- The Quran:
o This is the fundamental text for Islamic adherents as it is believed to contain the complete and unchanged revelation of Allah.
o The text is separated into 114 surahs or chapters.
o Muhammad was not literate and as such had to retain the Quran in his head until it could be scribed. A person who knows all the Quran in their head is known as Hafiz.
o Abu Bakr began the process of having the Quran written, no changes were made.
o The Quran is chief in a Muslim’s life and is seen as authoritative and supreme.
o Respect must be given to the Quran; it cannot be placed on the ground or touched without reason. Food or drink must not be consumed close to it. When it is read others must remain silent and avoid loud noises.
o Before reading the Quran one must wash themselves and be ready to receive truth.
o The Quran contains all fundamental beliefs and outlines things such as the day of judgement and eternal life for the faithful.
- The Hadith:
o The collection of traditions of the words and deeds of Muhammad.
o They are highly respected texts, second only to the Quran.
o There are two hadiths – Prophetic and Sacred.
o The prophetic hadith outline the actions and words of Muhammad.
o The sacred hadith are the most significant for Muslims and contain the words of God which were uttered by Muhammad. These are relatively few in number.
o ‘The Accurate Six’ are considered to be of the most reliability and reverently.