Islam Discussion Questions Flashcards
What was the cultural and religious life like in Arabia before Muhammad brought the new
teachings of Islam?
The people of Arabia were in deep spiritual darkness.. There was no unified government, each tribe was an independent unit and was unto itself. Life was violent, murder and robbery were common, and the most trivial incidents often set off prolonged blood wars between tribes.
Their ignorance extended to morality; they indulged in adultery, gambling, and drinking,. Because daughters were considered a burden, they even practiced infanticide of infant daughters.
Jews and Christians promoted distorted ideas about Islam. Arabs worshipped many gods and divine forces. Trees and springs were venerated’ sacred stones were rubbed or kissed to derive power from them. This was known as the age of ignorance according to the Muslim story.
Describe how Muhammad began receiving revelations from God. What was his own reaction?
Were there any who believed him?
He began seeing them when he went to go meditate in a cave nearby and had a startling vision. He was very distressed thinking at first he was dying and then wanting to kill himself, but was stopped by a voice from heaven which said he was the messenger of God.
Yes, Kadija was supportive and a cousin of Kadija who was well versed in Judaism and Christianity confirmed it was a revelation from God. Later his cousin and a slave freed by Muhammed also believed his revelation.
What kind of reaction was there among the people of Mecca when Muhammad began publicly
proclaiming his new revelations?
While new converts were made through his public speaking, the vast majority of the Meccans became angry and grew hostile towards him.
The message from God was viewed as threatening to many, they even started treating Muslims violently and threw excrement at Muhammed.
Why was the Hijra such an important event that the Muslim calendar dates from it?
The Hijra was the immigration of the Muslim community from Mecca to Medina.
It began a new age in the Islamic movement, and in honor of that Muslims date their calendar from the first day of this lunar year. For the first time, the community of Muslims could put the whole Islamic system of life into full practice.
Discuss Muhammad’s relationship with the whole line of prophets sent by God in earlier times.
What is the Islamic understanding of the prophet Jesus?
Muhammad is the last of the whole line of prophets ever since the human race such as: Adam, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, and Jesus and so on.
Jesus is mentioned several times in the Quran as an important prophet and is highly regarded by Muslims. He will return before Judgement day.
What was the role of the caliph? What was accomplished under caliphs ‘Umar and ‘Uthman?
Caliphs were deputies of Muhammad and helped expand Islam.
The role of caliph combined the offices of chief executive, commander-in-chief-, chief justice, and leader of public worship-but not that of prophet since Muhammad was the final prophet.
Umar and Uthman transformed Islam into a world religion through great waves of Islamic expansion far beyond the Arabian peninsula to Palestine, Syria, Persia, and Asia Minor, to Egypt and across northern Africa. This expansion was accompanied by a holy war for Islam, many of these people willingly accepted Islam as a liberation from their former oppressive rulers and religions. Christians and Jews were still allowed to practice but had to pay a tax.
Umar began the process of putting the guidance of the Quran into public law throughout the Muslim world, and Uthman had the official final recension of the Quran produced.
What did the Mu’tazilites argue for, in questions about the Quran, God’s attributes, and
predestination?
They used philosophical argumentation in developing rational theology. The Mutazilites (withdrawers) held firmly two basic Islamic beliefs: the unity of God and absolute divine justice. With rigorous logic they attacked some questionable popular ideas.
Argued against the anthropomorphic image of God and preposed such statements in the book was metaphor by holding to the unity of God.
They said the Quran is not divine and eternal but was created in time by God to give guidance to humans.
They defended God’s justice by declaring that God’s predetermination is not absolute; humans have freedom to choose between good and evil. Predetermination would be accusing God of gross injustice to say that people are punished or rewarded for actions that God had predetermined!
What were the Sufis all about? Why was al-Hallaj executed? What was the contribution of al-Ghazali?
The Sufi’s were all about mysticism (the interior contemplation and experience of union with God). They were about ascetics and distanced themselves from the luxurious lifestyle prominent upon powerful Muslim’s. They aspired to a life of poverty. Focused on inner conformity to God.
al-Hallaj bothered orthodox Muslims by his public pronouncements of his experience of union with God. Refusing to take back such blasphemous statements he was then crucified.
al-Ghazali is considered one of the greatest thinkers in the history of Islam and blasted dependance on reason. Made reconciliation between the Sufi and Orthodox ways, making Sufis, to become thought of has the heartbeat of Islam. Some consider him the second best Muslim.
What were the main Shi’ite religious ideas that differed from those of the Sunnites?
They believed that Ali (the cousin-in-law of Muhammed) was destined to be the rightful successor of Muhammed. Although Ali died tragically after his brief frustrated time as the fourth caliph, his followers argued that he and his descendants were to be the proper successors.
The sunnites believe Muhamma simply had affection for Ali, while the others believe he specifically proclaimed that he was to be the successor.
Sunnites viewed the caliphate in a contractual way, whereas the Shi’ites viewed the highest spiritual authority of Muhammad was passed on to Ali and then to each of the succeeding imams. Furthermore, Shi’ites held the idea of the hidden imam. In their view, the twelfth imam Muhammad disappeared and went into a state of hiding or occultation from which he will return one day to destroy evil and establish a new perfect age of Islam.
What were the three great Muslim empires that flourished beginning in the 16th century?
Describe some of their achievements.
The Safavid in Iran, the Mughal empire in India, and the Ottoman Turkish Empire bridging western Asia, northern Africa, and eastern Europe.
Muslim rule was greater then ever before. These kingdoms produced great architecture, religious scholarship, codification of law, and the Taj Mahal.
Describe the intent and results of the Wahhabi reform movement.
Attempted to purify Islam and return to the original purity of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet. Attacked rationalistic and and esoteric interpretations of the Quran.
The Wahhabi movement spread rapidly and became a highly disciplined group of Muslims practicing a purified Islam. Gained control of Mecca in 1806. Still today the Wahhabi influence is dominant in Saudi Arabia, where a strict form of Islamic law remains in force. They also provided a strong stimulus to Muslim reform outside Arabia.
What were the major forms of Muslim revival and renewal during the 20th century? How would
you characterize the Muslim revival movement in the first years of the 21st century?
The Muslim Brotherhood is vehemently against modernization of the western world and adjusted to Islam. No secular societies. All must promote ummah.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is also in response to the threat of westernization. Strongly promoted the modernization of Iran’s economy, education, military, and culture. Fundamental law of the state is Islamic law.
Islamists actively seek to restore true Muslim societies by establishing Islamic governments and the Shari’ah as the rule of law.
The majority do not advocates violence or terrorist actions. However, there are Islamic terrorists working under the guise of jihad.
The greater spread of Muslims has introduced new and respectful dialogue between religions and spread of knowledge.
What issues, do you think, are of most concern to Muslims today?
Terrorism in the name of Islam is the source of anguish for many Muslims. Many view Islam as a religion of violence. There are concerns about whether one should embrace secular society , Islamic society, or radical activities. Struggle to educate the world in their teachings and practice things such as Islamic banking.
Explain the implications, for thought, ethics, and art, of saying “There in no God but God”
To mix God together with the created realm would be to compromise God’s oneness and uniqueness. It would be to elevate something created to the status of divinity, thus positing a competitor to the one God.
The greatest sin, according to the Quran, is shirk, associating something else with God. God does allow a certain measure of freedom to creatures, thus giving them moral responsibility for their actions.
All are treated as equals under God’s law, all observe and follow his law, no pictures or verbal can be made of God and doing so compromises his oneness. All knowledge of sciences and humanities leads to the one God so long as not corrupted by human error. Ergo unity of human knowledge.
While stressing God’s transcendence, how do Muslims also emphasize God’s immanence? What
are some of God’s attributes?
They argue that God has a real presence in the world. His divine reality is everywhere.
One of the attributes of God most stressed in Islam is mercy. Most merciful, most compassionate, ultimate design is one of love and mercy.
