Islam Flashcards
A’isha’s Impact - Development
- Related 2210 hadith and introduced the method of hadith critique (developing sacred texts and ensuring the accuracy of hadith)
- Taught over 80 scholars, who in turn spread their knowledge of Islam
- Up to 1/4 of Sharia law stemmed from A’isha’s narrations (developed Sharia law)
- Affair of ‘the slander’: led to adultery requiring 4 witnesses; “Why did they not produce four witnesses?” (Sura An-Noor:12)
- Battle of the Camel
- Ablution - a development of expression?
A’isha’s Impact - Expression
- Ablution revelation: could be performed with fine dust or sand
- Battle of the Camel: separated into Sunni and Shia sects
- Quranic verse and hadith amendment maintained accuracy for Islamic expression
- Affair of ‘the slander’: expressing law around adultery requiring 4 witnesses
A’isha’s Impact - Key points
- Hadith and hadith critique
- Sharia law
- Affair of ‘the slander’
- Ablution
- Battle of the Camel
- Role model
Bioethical teachings:
- Life is in the hands of Allah
- Sanctity of human life
- Adhere to Allah’s will and creation
Life is in the hands of Allah
Allah is the ‘divine planner’, the only one who can determine matters of life and death
Abortion
“My lord [Allah] is He Who gives life and causes death” (2:259) Abraham said to Nimrod
“Nor can a soul die except by Allah’s leave” (3:145)
Not permitted for a foetus over 120 days. It is a great sin to kill a child.
Euthanasia
Suicide is forbidden; “nor kill (or destroy) yourselves” (4:29)
“Whoever commits suicide with something will be punished with the same thing in the [hell] fire” (78:647)
Sanctity of human life
Strive to maintain the health of patients
Furthers abortion (cannot kill a foetus, it has value and importance)
Life support
Can only be turned off if the person is brain dead
“If anyone saved a life, it would be as if he save the life of the whole people. If anyone slew a person, it would be as if he slew the whole people.” (5:32)
“Nor take life which God has made sacred” (17:33)
- Demonstrates how life is sacred and valuable (sanctity of human life)
Adhere to Allah’s creation and will
Do not exploit life
Marriage is a principle aspect
Fertility
The creation of humans should be from a male and female. “Oh mankind, we have created you from a male and female” (49:13)
IVF donor must be the husband and alive.
Artificial insemination (husband) must be the married husband.
“Do not come near to adultery for it is shameful” (17:32).
Hajj
One significant practice in Islam is the Hajj, the Fifth Pillar and the pilgrimage to Mecca. The Hajj is an expression of total devotion to Allah and submission to Allah’s will. While on the Hajj, adherents will enter a state of Ihram, and visit Mecca, Mina, and Mount Arafat, as well as stone the Devil, Satan, at Jumraat. The journey itself follows in the footsteps of Abraham, Muhammad, and Ishmael, and once complete, the adherent would have fulfilled the Qur’an’s instruction to “perform the pilgrimage to Mecca for Allah” (2:196).
How does the Hajj express Tawhid?
- Solidifies the relationship with Allah
- Express devotion and submission
- Circumambulation of the Ka’Ba 7 times (tawaf) is an expression of devotion to one God
How does the Hajj express Rusul?
- Follows Muhammad, Abraham and Ishmael
- Mecca is Muhammad’s birthplace
- Maqaam Ibrahim prayers
How does the Hajj express Kutubullah?
- The zuhr and asr prayers are in the Quran
- “Perform the pilgrimage to Mecca for Allah” (2:196)
