Islam Depth Study Flashcards
Pre-Arabia (Geographically)
- Arabian Peninsula - Western Asia - Northeast africa
- Arid desert region with very little fertile soil and vegetation.
- Surrounded by powerful empires-none wished to conquer Arabia.
- The silk-road travels through Saudi Arabia from China to Europe.
What were the religions conditions in arabia before islam?
- POLYTHEISTIC: gods and goddesses were believed to protect the tribes (represented them with statues called idols)
- However Allah was the highest and most worshipped God
- The spirit of the Gods were associated with sacred objects, often found in nature.
- There were also spirits called Djinns
- Mecca had the central shrine to the Gods - Ka’ba (built by Abraham, central house, a structure in the centre of Mecca where the idols were kept.)
- Outside these tribes, other monotheistic religions were practised such as Judaism, Christianity.
Social Conditions prior to Islam
- Arabia on the fringe of the civilised word - filled with nomadic tribes, slaves and foreigners (inter-tribal relationships were frail)
- Very minimal rights for women
- Infanticide existed for first born girls
- Patriarchal family system - social life was dominated by males
- Not economically prosperous.
Ethical conditions prior to islam?
Hospitality - Arabs were generous and hospitable on the point of fault (overly generous to the point where they did not have enough to live)
Keeping a covenant - to make a promise and keep was extremely important.
Pure and simple life that respected the world’s natural resources
When was islam started?
Islam was developed 500 years following the founding of Christianity
610AD
Describe Muhummad’s early life (before he was a prophet)
BORN - 560CE (Orphaned at 6 raised by uncle)
OCCUPATION - Caravan Merchant for future wife, Khadijah
FAMILY - Married Khadijah had children by boys died (no heir)
Muhummand regularly withdrew from Mecca to retreat in a cave on Mt Hira for solitude, prayer and reflection on his concerns about Meccan Society
What happened on the night of power and excellence?
In the cave on Mt Hira, aged 40, he received the first of his many revelations from Allah.
Experienced a voice calling his name and commanding him to proclaim “Iqra”
Angel Jabril, commanded Muhummad to ‘recite,’ from a scroll he was given - However, Muhummand was unable to read. Had a breakthrough and could read and speak with fluency.
He continued to receive divine revelations for 22 years - These were written down by scribes and composed the Qur’an (The recitation)
What happened on the night journey?
During the year of sorrows and persecution in Mecca, the Prophet Muhammad experienced another great vision.
The angel Jibril took him to Jerusalem and then through the seven heavens to finally see a vision of paradise and of hell.
The experience culminated with the Prophet Muhammad being brought into the presence of Allah.
Daily prayer instructions - on this night journey Prophet Muhammad received the instruction that people should pray five times each day - has been reflected in Muslim practice ever since.
The people of Mecca didn’t agree with Muhammad’s teachings - explain why, what escalated this?
Hostility accompanied the realisation that the Prophet’s message would end the lucrative nature of the worship of idols in Mecca.
Tensions soon escalated in Mecca, Muhammad’s followers were threatened
The Year of Sorrows - 619 CE - both Muhammad’s wife and uncle died - leaving Muhammed vulnerable to the threats and persecution of his opponents in Mecca.
Delegation from medina - explain
While preaching in Mecca, a delegation from Medina urged Muhummad to come to Medina and advise them.
He agreed to do so but only after they pledged to give their full allegiance to Allah and to turn away from evil.
Where was the first mosque built? Explain
The first mosque - The Prophet arrived in Medina and was quickly accepted as a wise and respected leader.
In Medina Muhammad built a house which is known as “masjid” and is regarded as the first mosque
Describe the capture of Mecca
Outnumbered Muslim forces defeat the Meccan army in the Battle of Badr 624CE.
He captured Mecca and claimed it in the name of Allah - Mecca became the holy city of Islam, dedicated to Allah.
Two years later the Prophet Muhammad returned to Mecca on a pilgrimage and preached his famous last sermon on the Mount of Mercy.
Shortly after returning to Medina he became ill. Within a short time his illness worsened and his death came.
Explain the death of muhummad
Death of Muhammad - Muhammad died at 63 years of age in 632 CE. He was buried in the room where he died which has now become a place of pilgrimage for Muslims.
Give six ways in which Muhummad is a model for islamic life
- Extreme faith and devolution in allahs will
- Justice, mercy and care for the poor
- Trustworthy and honest
- Supporting the UMMA
- Good Leadership
- Brave and willing to defend islam
Go read
Who were the caliphs? why did they exist?
Since both muhummads male children died in enfancy, he had no heir.
The caliphs were his successors following his death - continued to lead the islamic faith.
Caliphs: are the political and religious leaders in Islam, considered successors to the Prophet Muhammad, responsible for leading the Muslim community and upholding Islamic law.
Name the Four Caliphs + Give main reason they are important?
- Abu Bakr
United all muslims tribes - brought saudi arabia under muslim control
- Umar
Expansion of Muslim empire; Restores the Dome of the Rock
Umar extended Muslim rule to Syria, Egypt, Persia and Armenia.
He appointed a council of six men to select his successor.
- Uthman
Maintenance and administration the Muslim empire
Uthman commissioned the officially endorsed copy of the Qu’ran that was written in Meccan dialect, its current form.
His murder in 656 CE was first in a series of Muslim rebellions that would plague Islam’s political development.
- Ali
Cousin of Muhammad; his assassination leads to the division of Islam into Sunni and Shi’a
Ali was Muhammad’s closest male relative
Ali moved his capital to Kufah in Iraq, a more central location within the expanding Muslim world.
The Umayya family assassinated Ali because they believed they were the rightful successors.
After Ali’s death, Ali’s followers separated from the main group (Sunni) and became the Shi’ia Muslims.
Sunnis chose Mu’awiya to replace Ali.
Mu’awiya founded the Umayyad Sunni dynasty of caliphs.
Go read the sunni Shi’ia table
YAY NOW DO IT AGAIN
What are the 6 articles of faith? and what is the islamic word for this?
Aqida ul-Islam: The Beliefs or Creed of Islam - consists of six articles of faith.
A Muslim believes in the divine unity, angels, the books of God, the messengers of God, the hereafter and the final decree.
Qur’an: The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do those who believe. All believe in Allah, His angels, His Books and His Messengers. (Sura 2:285)
The basic beliefs of Muslims fall into six main categories which are known as the “Articles of Faith” (Aquida)
