Islam

Question 0

Why did Mohammed move to Medina and then return to Mecca?

Answer 0

He moved to Medina because the polytheistic culture was not receptive to his monotheistic beliefs.
He moved back to Mecca after a conflict with Mecca and Medina that he won. He then converted most of the Arabian peninsula.

Question 1

Where approximately was Mohammed born? And what was the historic context?

Answer 1

570AD; Mohammed was born in Mecca, a region with a polytheistic,tribal culture. The shrine in Mecca called the Kaaba, was to various gods. This made Mecca a site for pilgrimage, wealth, and trade.

Question 2

What is the source of the Quran in Muslim belief?

Answer 2

The Quran is the word of God recited through Gabriel to Mohammed. The Quran is the collection of Mohammed’s preachings by his followers believed to be written down exactly as Mohammed said it.

Question 3

How is the Quran related to Jewish and Christian scriptures.

Answer 3

Muslims believe their God is the same God of the Jewish and Christian traditions. Muslims believe in Jesus, but as prophet. Many of the abrahamic stories are also recorded in the Quran.

Question 4

What are some of the key themes taught in the Quran?

Answer 4

Total submission to God
Rewarded with heaven for obeying God
Punished with hell for disobeying/denying God

Question 5

What are the main sources Muslim scholars have traditionally used in interpreting the Quran?

Answer 5

The hadiths
Stories of the prophet by his followers
The Bible
Sets of descriptions of the context of each surah (by followers)
Commentaries by religious scholars of the past.

Question 6

What are the five pillars of Islam?

Answer 6

1. Freely profess belief in the one God and Mohammed as last of prophets 2. Daily prayers (salat) 3. Alms giving 4. Fasting during Ramadan 5. Hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca for those able

Question 7

What is the meaning of the practice of the hajj, Ramadan, and prayer?

Answer 7

The hajj has many rituals which evoke worship, repentance, self reflection and anticipation of judgement.
Ramadan is a time of reflecting and creates compassion for those who are less fortunate
Prayer evokes worship and reflection

Question 8

When and how do Muslims pray?

Answer 8

Pray 5 times a day at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and night
They wash first and face towards Mecca

Question 9

What are the practices in the hajj and how to the relate to Abraham, Hagar, and Ishmael?

Answer 9

Circle Kaaba,Enter in state of Ihram,Striving as Hagar did looking for water,Standing at Arafat
Stoning of satan, as Abraham threw stones at satan
Eid Al Adha- feast of sacrifice, a animal instead of Ishmael

Question 10

What is the Kaaba and who built it?

Answer 10

Kaaba is a shrine said to be built by Abraham in the Muslim tradition

Question 11

What is the state of Ihram?

Answer 11

Refers to both state of purity and the garment men wear

Question 12

Why and how do Muslims fast during Ramadan?

Answer 12

Muslims will not eat or drink from sun set to sun down during Ramadan. It’s a time of reflection and for creating compassion towards the less fortunate

Question 13

Why does Helminski relate the fast of Ramadan to vulnerability?

Answer 13

Being hungry leaves a rawness to your mental state. It leaves you craving and needy for substance. It helps you empathize with those who are in need.

Question 14

Why did the Nation of Islam and other forms of Islam appeal to many African Americans during the 1950-70s?

Answer 14

The Nation of Islam taught black self reliance, black power, black superiority, and separatism during the time of the civil rights movement that fought for the right of African Americans

Question 15

Why are the beliefs of the Nation of Islam not considered orthodox?

Answer 15

The see the founder Elijah Mohammed as another prophet or as God
In traditional Islam Mohammed is the last prophet and God is invisible

Question 16

How did Malcolm x differ from Martin Luther?

Answer 16

Malcolm x was not a non violent advocate and he argued for black superiority rather than equality

Question 17

How was Malcolm X changed by his experience of the hajj?

Answer 17

He was treated as an equal/ elevated status by a man he considered to be white. He realized the white man attitude in the United States did not reflect the entire white population.

Question 18

According to Amir Hussain, what is the message of the Quran with respect to Judaism, Christianity, and other faiths?

Answer 18

As for Jews and Christians, they believe they all follow the same one true God and allow intermarriage and friendship despite surahs that may seem to suggest otherwise.

Question 19

How are jesus and Mary understood in the Islamic tradition?

Answer 19

Jesus is a prophet. Mary was a virgin who gave birth to the prophet jesus.

Question 20

What does the Quran say about violence and the jihad?

Answer 20

Jihad, literally translated as struggle, come in two forms. Spiritual/internal struggle us the greater jihad, holly war is the lesser jihad. War is not promoted in Islam. It is only justified to defend the weak and defend.