Islam

Origins

  • Outline the social conditions and religious practices that existed in pre-Islamic Arabia

Began in the Arabian Peninsula, before Islam it was inhabited be Bedouin tribes. Some Jews lived there with influences of Christian in the north from eastern roman empire. Persian faith was also an influence (Zoroastrianism).

Most important social network was between different clan connections. If someone from the tribe was murdered the clan would avenge their death. They often broke into blood feuds. It was a male oriented society that practiced infanticide, with women being looked down upon because of the expensive dowries, however they still had the capability for achieving a high status due to the high rate of male deaths with Khadijah being an example.

The Kabah is Makkah’s main religious site built in 200CE, built by Prophet Ibrahim. First built to pray for one god but later was taken over by polytheists (believed in 360 gods) placing images and idols of their gods. The time before Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was known as the days of ignorance (darkness).

Prophets before Muhammad (SAW)

Adam (AS) – first prophet/human

Nuh (AS) – built an ark, great flood eradicating all life in earth punishment for disbelievers.

Ibrahim (AS) – destroyed the idols in the Kabah, known as builder of Kabah.

Musa (AS) – lead Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, received the torah.

Isa (AS) – virgin birth, spoke from cradle, performed miracles, haven’t died was raised to heaven.

  • Examine the principal events in Muhammad’s (SAW) life

Muhammad (SAW) was born in 570 CE in Makkah into a Quraysh tribe, significant to Muslims because he is the last prophet and delivered the Qur’an. His father died before he was born and his mother died when he was six. He was then cared for by his grandfather and uncle and was illiterate. He did however gain the reputation for being honest and settler of disputes.

The Qur’an (recitation) is a collection of messages from Allah given through Angel Jibril, then to Muhammad (SAW) to spread to the world. It is written perfectly and is the complete message. Muslims regard Jews and Christians as ahl al kitab (people of the book) and were treated with tolerance in the Muslim controlled lands seen during 711 and 1492 CE with Spain.

It was Muhammad’s habit to find caves in the mountains surrounding Makkah, sitting in the peace and quiet and contemplating life. In 611CE, at 40 he was praying in the cave and saw an angel. It introduced itself to Muhammad (SAW) and angel Jibril and commanded him to recite. He listened and then returned home frightened, telling his experience to Khadijah. He later returned to the cave and Jibril would reveal more the Allah’s (SWT) words, later memorising them and asking scribes to write them down.

He was eager to share the message but it was a monotheistic belief, and the Makkans were polytheists, and the message would disturb their peace. If it wasn’t for his tribe he would have been in trouble but as he continued problem began to arise. There was an instance where a group of people sought out to kill him in his house because of the things that he was preaching e.g. disagreed with money making policies of Makkan merchants, denounced the neglect of widows and orphans and placed obligations on the wealthy.

He then left Makkah in 622CE to Al Yathrib (Madinah) 400km north. A town where there was constant fighting and the presence of a Jewish community, they had requested for Muhammad (SAW) to become their leader. His escape from Makkah is now known as the first of Hijrah (flight). Islam moved from being a small group to becoming a powerful religious force in Arabia with its significance being the end of old tribal systems of communal organisation and now based on religious faith and political institution.

Al Yathrib became the first independent community of Islam, later changing its name to Madinah (city of the Prophet). Muhammad (SAW) ruled, passing laws that were fair and stabilised the city, carrying out a social revolution. Sometime around 620 CE Khadijah (RA) passed away, and Muhammad remarried for different reasons, some out of love and other times to secure connections with powerful families. With his increasing unification with the people the Makkans became more frightened, and attacked Madinah on numerous occasions however Muhammad was always able to repel their forces.

630CE Muhammad (SAW) sieged Makkah, with the intention to visit the Kabah, after letting him in, he smashed the idols in the Kabah to the ground, the start of using the Kabah for worshipping Allah again, making Makkah the holiest place in Islam. The Makkans later accepted Islam and expanded.

  • Explain why the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as the final messenger is the model for Muslim life

Through the documentation of the Qur’an and all hadith, biographies have been written telling the life of Muhammad (SAW). From these sources, it is understood that he was an honest, caring and loving man who was a careful administrator of the early Islamic community. He’s viewed as a figure that represents the extreme good in humanity.

Modelled interactions with non-Muslims

Successful in religious and secular levels

Model of justice – hadith shows his character in religious, legal and social contexts

Humble servant of Allah (SWT) – perceived as being uncorrupted by power

Role model husband

  • Describe the development of Islam after the death of Muhammad (SAW) under the leadership of the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs, accounting for the emergence of the Sunni and the Shi’a

the Caliphs attempted to expand the community, first Abu Bakr (father of Aisha (RA)) (632-34CE) elected to be the next Islamic leader, but some people did not approve wanting Ali (Muhammad’s cousin/son-in-law). He focused on defending Madinah from tribes that rescinded the faith. He focused on defending Madinah and expanding Islam.

Umar (RA) (634- 44CE) – elected democratically before Abu Bakr died, he oversaw the expulsions of Christians and Jews from Arabia. He was an exceptional administrator, battling in war of Qadisiyya. He burnt the fake surahs.

Uthman (644- 56CE) – from powerful Umayyad tribe appropriate choice as third caliph. Criticism arose because he appointed friends and family to important positions. Ali increased the opposition during his caliphate. He collated and published the Qur’an in its final form. Later murdered by Egyptians in 656 CE

Ali (656-61CE) – leaders of Madinah appointed the role to Ali however divisions followed. Many Muslims were enraged that he refused to punish those who killed Uthman leading Aisha’s failed rebellion. The Kharijites went against Ali because he did not prove to be a true follower of Islam. Muawiya refused Ali as caliph, he claimed caliphate himself and Ali later was killed by the Kharijites.

Sunni – claim to follow the right path based on Quran and Sunnah, it believes nothing is divine about their leaders except that they are educated in religious law and practice. All revelations from Allah were completed with Muhammad’s death and the word imam is simply a prayer leader.

Shia – claim Ali has spiritual insight, said to have Islamic authority with the Quran and his household. They believe in the ‘five of the cloak’ Muhammad, Fatima, Ali, Hasan, Hussain. Believe the leaders are descendants of Muhammad called imam who reveal inner meaning of Quran, with belief that the 12th imam will return.

Principal Beliefs

  • Outline the implications of Tawhid for Muslim belief

Belief that there is no God but Allah, no one else worthy of worship, and cannot be associated with any partners.

Shirk (idolatry) attributing Allah’s divinity to someone else is worst of all sins.

  • Examine the role of the Books of Allah and prophesy in Islam

Scriptures of prophesy are the Suhuf (Ibrahim), Torah (Musa), Zaboor (Dawood), Injeel (Isa) but Islam believes that these messages are corrupted with only the Quran being reliable book of Allah in Arabic text. Similar features of those texts and the Quran are emphasis on God being one, Allah’s law to abide by and warning of Judgment day where you will go to Jannah or Jahannam depending on your deeds. Although prophets mainly preached to one group at a time the Quran was directed at all humanity, everyone has equal rights in being saved by accepting the message.

Rusul (prophet) someone that Allah speaks through to reveal his message. Muhammad (SAW) is known as the seal of the prophets, who brought the final message and revelation of Allah.

  • Outline the principal beliefs about angels, life after death and fate/predestination

Jinn – malevolent spirits that work to make humans impure and lead them to evil. They are created by a smokeless fire and have been condemned by Allah to lead humanity astray.

Angel – fulfil Allah’s requests and carry messages to humans, Angel Jibril being the one to carry the Quran to Muhammad. They’re made of light, have no gender and express absolute praise and obedience to God, also commonly known are the 2 angels that are acknowledged during Salah who record the good and bad deeds of every individual.

Akhirah – the real universe continues after death, and to deny this is the same as denying Allah. The Quran mentions that souls are suspended between death and resurrection, with every human being brought to judgement before Allah, and punished for their sins and rewarded for their goodness.

Jannah – a place that is described in the Quran as supreme joy, eternal satisfaction

Jahannam –

Fate/predestination (Qadar) –nothing happens without the will of Allah. Islamic scholars have attempted to reconcile two notions: that humans are responsibility for their final happiness or suffering, and that Allah knows, wills and creates everything. Ultimately Allah is considered the creator of all phenomena, it is however important that individual adherents make ‘free’ choices.

Sacred texts and writings

  • Identify the importance of: the Quran; the hadith

Quran –based on the revelations of Allah to Muhammad and is the central Muslim text that was received over a 23-year period. Caliph Uthman put it together and arranged 114 surahs. Some were revealed in Makkah that had rulings that were mainly focused on belief and the surahs revealed in Madinah focus on guiding the Islamic community.

Being the words of Allah, it is treated respect and kept in a place of honour. Muslims see the Quran as a miracle and the proof that Muhammad (SAW) was a prophet. It is understood to be not the work of a human, considering that Muhammad (SAW) was illiterate. The Quran includes elements of family, religious and criminal law and cover obligations (5 pillars of Islam) as well as lessons from Muhammad’s experiences but its common key focuses are promise of heaven for those who obey and punishment for the disobedient.

Hadith – once Muhammad’s status was recognised, companions paid careful attention to his sayings as a respected and wise leader. It is the second contribution text of Islam and serves as a basis od Islamic jurisprudence. It shows the life of the prophet and elaboration of the ethical values taught by the Quran. By the early 700s CE devoted individuals began to collect the hadith.

A hadith is consisted of 2 parts the text and the Sanad (the witness of what the prophet did) and usually gives more details of what is mentioned in the Quran

Two collections that carry the most authority is Bukhari (810-70 CE) and Muslim (817-74CE).

  • Examine extracts from the Quran and Hadith which demonstrate the principal beliefs of Islam

The Quran and Hadith lay down correct behaviour for Islamic society. The core ethical teachings relation to good intentions,

Surah 49 Verse 6- avoid malicious gossip Verse 12 - Do not maintain suspicion of others

encouraging moderation

” Whoever forsakes wine whilst he is able to drink it, I shall give him the wine to drink in Paradise”

Going against anti-social behaviour

“Whoever shows hatred to a friend of mine, is engaged in war against me”

Keeping oaths

Core ethical teachings

  • Outline the principal ethical teachings within Islam

Ethical teachings show the influence of human behaviour through beliefs and teachings with the view of extreme importance of right action. It is usually split into 2 categories, the body of law that governs behaviour towards God e.g. the five pillars. The other category is the way we treat one another, sacred and secular.

Shariah law regulates all aspects of a Muslim’s life from hygiene to inheritance laws. It reflects Allah’s guidance for Muslims. Some guidelines include:

You should promote unity and harmony

No one truly believes until what is wished for his brother is what is wished for himself

Ethical principles can include faithfulness to one’s words, honesty in trade and to guard yourself against impurity in body and mind.

In surah 2:177 - Godliness is described to be one who gives of his property, frees slaves, performs daily prayer, pays zakat and are patient in times of difficulty.

The ethical rules in Quran and hadith establish a basic code of honesty, a work ethic and loyalty. It also shows to respect yourself and the others e.g. modest dress and being courteous in relationships and taking care of one’s neighbour.

  • Outline the process of Islamic jurisprudence

Islam is an ethical as well as legal system, with the discovery of laws from the scriptures of Islam being put together by scholars to form the shariah law codes, in which it covers life in a traditional society and ethical teachings for modern developments. (changing world, new problems)

a)Quran – holds the first authority, however it may not show solutions to modern problems

b)Hadith –containing the sayings and actions of Muhammad (SAW), it’s a source of Muslim authority when the Quran is not direct.

c)Ijma – consensus of Islamic scholars when there is a significant debate, usually by Islamic strongholds e.g. royal family in Saudi Arabia

d)Qiyas –logic, deductions that can be drawn from Quran and Hadith. E.g. cocaine is haram because alcohol is already haram, has drug abuse banned because of similar consequences.

  • Describe the importance of ethical teachings in determining that which is: halal; haram

Muslims live their life submitting to Allah (SWT) for happiness in this world and the next, therefore they must know what is obligatory and what actions are halal or haram.

Halal – everything that is allowed under Islamic law, can be applied to aspects of life a behaviour.

Haram – everything that is forbidden, anything that goes against Islamic law code.

  • Outline each of the Five pillars

Shahadah – is the confession of faith, said aloud in public to testify you are a Muslim. “there I no God but Allah” and that “Muhammad is the messenger of Allah”

Salah – 5 daily prayers that must be done in its due time, in a state of purity (water ablution), wearing the right dress, facing the right direction as well as in the right place (clean area). Salah reaffirms that life is a gift from Allah and to keep Him on your mind throughout the day. Salah is determined by the position of the sun.

Fajr

Thuhr

Asr

Maghrib

Isha

Zakat – 2.5% of a Muslims savings that must be given to the poor each year. Meaning to purify, it emphasises letting go of earthly possessions and focus on Allah.

Sawm – the fast of Ramadan, one month each year Muslims must not eat, drink, smoke between dawn and sunset. In Surah 2:185 Muslims must resolve to turn away from sin and seek forgiveness. In the hunger of fasting they share in the suffering of the poor. Iftar, is the break of the fast. The appearance of the new moon is the signal of Eid (celebration, day start with mass public prayer) where everyone resolves their quarrels and make fresh starts.

Hajj – a pilgrimage that is recommended to all Muslims at least once in their lifetime if they are capable to do so, walking the same path as Muhammad (SAW) in Makkah (centre of everyday Muslim religious life, considered the city of Allah with the Kabah at its heart)

Kabah’s significance is traced back to Adam and Hawwa being reunited in Makkah, and he is building the first place of worship of Allah on earth. After Ibrahim rebuilt it, but became contaminated again. Muhammad (SAW) restored it and brought it back to its original purpose, to worship Allah. Adherents go on pilgrimage, people from different backgrounds.