Pluralism Flashcards
Modern Britain is a multifaith society?
Pluralism refers to the coexistence of multiple religious beliefs and practices within a society. In modern Britain, Christianity remains the majority religion, but it is divided into various denominations, including Protestantism and Catholicism. The second largest group is the non-religious, such as atheists and agnostics. A 2011 survey in Wales found 57% identifying as Christian, while 32% were non-religious. Cities like Cardiff have diverse religious communities, including Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists, each with different ethnic and sectarian backgrounds. In a pluralistic society, questions arise about how people of different religions interact, both in terms of theology (e.g., morality and the afterlife) and daily life (e.g., worship and social practices like alcohol consumption).
People of the book?
People of the Book
Before Muhammad’s revelation, a Christian monk and a Jewish man recognized his future as a prophet. Muhammad struggled against idol worshippers and cleansed the Kaaba. The Quran emphasizes Tawhid (oneness of God) and rejects the worship of anything besides God. However, Muslims believe that all creation, including idol worshippers, is part of God’s divine plan. The Quran encourages kindness and respect for others, even those who worship differently. Muhammad promised to protect Jews and Christians, and his interactions with them set a pluralistic example for Muslims.
Muslim men can marry Jewish and Christian women and eat their food. Early Medina society saw close ties between Muslims, Jews, and Christians, and they identified as a unified society. The Quran mentions both respect and caution regarding non-Muslims, particularly during tribal conflicts. Verses like Quran 3:113 show righteous relationships with some non-Muslims, while others, like Quran 9:95, criticize idol worship.
Al-Azhar University issued the book The Response to correct misinterpretations of Islam, emphasizing peaceful and voluntary conversion. It also clarified that Muslims can congratulate Christians on holidays like Christmas, as long as they don’t compromise their beliefs.
Some Muslims in Britain fear the influence of liberal, social circles, fearing confusion about their faith and practices. However, others believe that strong personal commitment to Islam should not be swayed by external influences, and interacting with others can promote a positive image of Islam.
Early islamic empire?
Early Islamic Empire
Muslim conquests spread rapidly across the Middle East and North Africa, leading to widespread conversions to Islam over 200 years. Khaled Ibn Al-Walid conquered Damascus, assuring Christian communities’ security and the protection of their churches. Christians paid a special tax, Jizya, for protection. Non-Muslim believers, known as dhimmis, were accepted and granted security. Caliph Umar instructed governors to help poor dhimmis.
The Abbasid Empire, which expanded into Central Asia, accepted Buddhists as dhimmis, allowing them to practice their faith and take high positions. Though religious freedom was afforded to some, there were instances of forced conversions and violence, which many Muslims argue were contrary to Islam’s teachings. Muhammad’s creation of the Charter of Medina, which supported a multifaith society, stands in contrast to these actions. Thus, the early Islamic empire’s pluralism is debated, as it combined both tolerance and elements of conquest and coercion..
La convenecia?
La Convivencia
Medieval Spain, known as Al-Andalus, was ruled by Muslims for over 300 years. Despite occasional tensions, the period is often seen as one of relative peace and acceptance among different faiths. Jews and Christians held many senior positions, outnumbering Muslims in Western Europe today. Some argue this shows Muslim Spain was open and tolerant. Muslims also preserved and passed on knowledge from ancient Greece, contributing to the European Renaissance. However, the concept of la convivencia is debated, with some scholars questioning its true level of tolerance, while others, including some Muslims, exaggerate its extent compared to modern times.
India?
Mughal Emperor Akbar, contemporary to Elizabeth I, promoted religious tolerance. He incorporated features of various religions into his capital, including Christian crosses on mosque pillars and Jain-style tombs. Akbar built the Ibadat Khana to facilitate religious debates, inviting people of all faiths—Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and atheists—to discuss religion. He believed all religions had good in them and emphasized piety, moderation, and vegetarianism, though he disliked priests and holy books. While some saw him as creating a new religion, Akbar promoted religious tolerance and even allowed Hindus to convert back to their faith. In contrast, Emperor Aurangzeb imposed stricter Islamic laws, banned alcohol, destroyed Hindu temples, and tried to force conversions, creating division. While Akbar’s tolerance helped unify the empire, Aurangzeb’s policies weakened it. This contrast contributed to the division of India and Pakistan, with Indians favoring Akbar and Pakistanis favoring Aurangzeb.
Confucianism?
Confucianism and Islam
Islam spread to China, encountering Confucianism, which seeks unity with the “Tian” (Heaven or the high god). Confucianism is often seen as pantheistic and does not necessarily include a personal god, emphasizing meditation and transformation of character to align with heaven, fostering compassion. Some Muslims find parallels between Confucianism and Islam, as both consider Allah (in Islam) and the Tian (in Confucianism) as all-encompassing, with Allah’s attributes seen metaphorically in the Quran. Liu Zhi, a Chinese Muslim philosopher, saw significant similarities between Confucianism, Sufism, and Islam. He believed the teachings of Confucius and Muhammad both conveyed the same truth, observing parallels in prohibitions (like alcohol) and mystical experiences. Liu Zhi saw Islam through the lens of Confucianism, blending Islamic orthodoxy with Chinese philosophy. However, many Muslims view Eastern religions as distinct from Islam.
Religious freedom?
Religious freedom in Islam is encapsulated in the Quran’s Surah 2:256, which states, “Let there be no compulsion in religion.” This is illustrated through various stories during the time of the Prophet Muhammad. For instance, Muslim families in Medina tried to force their sons, who had been wet-nursed by Jewish women, to remain Muslim, but the Prophet intervened, citing this verse. Another example involved two Muslims who converted to Christianity after interacting with Christian traders, and the Prophet advised them to leave the city. Additionally, a Muslim father attempted to convert his Christian sons, but the Prophet affirmed the principle of no compulsion in religion when settling their dispute.
The Quran acknowledges the validity of Christian and Jewish scriptures, viewing them as earlier, albeit altered, revelations of the same core truth of Islam. It also recognizes prophets from other faiths, such as Jesus (Isa), but differs in its account of his life and resurrection, asserting that Allah saved him from suffering. At the time of Muhammad, interfaith dialogue occurred, serving as a model for Muslims to engage with people of other faiths.
While Islam encourages submission to Allah, it emphasizes that judgment belongs to Allah alone, and Muslims are advised not to be overly judgmental. The Shahadah, a central statement of belief, fosters conformity within Islam, limiting personal interpretation. This adherence to tradition and sect-based teachings may suggest that there is little religious freedom within Islam itself.
Abuse?
Muhammad faced significant abuse during his lifetime, including insults from the Quraysh of Mecca and daily trash thrown at his door by an elderly woman. When she stopped showing up, Muhammad checked on her, demonstrating compassion. This behavior taught Muslims to respond to abuse with care and compassion, rather than anger or violence. An example of this is when a Muslim attacked a Jew who criticized Muhammad, and the Prophet scolded the attacker for responding violently.
Despite Muhammad’s example, there have been instances where Muslims have reacted with violence to perceived insults, such as the 2015 Charlie Hebdo attacks, where offensive cartoons of Muhammad were published. While Muhammad would have advocated for a peaceful response, some Muslims may have felt compelled to defend their faith.
Additionally, during the Abbasid period, Caliph al-Mamun tried to impose the belief that the Quran was written by people rather than being a divine revelation. Ahmed Ibn Hanbal, who opposed this view, was imprisoned and flogged for expressing his beliefs. His eventual release led to the founding of the Hanbali school of thought. These events reflect the struggle for freedom of expression within Islam, even in the face of repression.
Freedom of expression?
Freedom of expression is closely linked to freedom of belief, as individuals often display their identity through symbols of faith. Muslims increasingly wear symbols like the veil, prayer caps, or beards, but some view these symbols as a barrier to integration into Western society. For example, concerns have been raised at Al-Azhar University about women wearing face veils in classes, with some viewing it as a symbol of outward expression rather than humility. However, groups like Salafi and Deobandi encourage the face veil as a literal command and a symbol of women’s special status and protection. With a variety of sects and beliefs within Islam, young Muslims may find it challenging to navigate these differences and form their own beliefs.
Reformist muslims?
Reformist Muslims hold diverse views on various issues. For example, imaan.org supports gay Muslims and interprets the Quran to suggest that being gay does not conflict with being Muslim, citing the Ottoman Caliph’s legislation as backing. However, other Muslims condemn homosexuality, considering it a departure from Islam. Mawaan Rizwan, a gay Muslim of Pakistani heritage, studied attitudes towards homosexuality in UK and Pakistani communities and found that most gay Muslims keep their sexuality secret, though an increasing number are speaking out.
Apostasy?
Apostasy, or leaving Islam, is illegal and punishable in some Muslim countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Iran. The Quran and Hadith suggest that Muslims should not leave the faith, but the context is often linked to tribal loyalty rather than just religious belief. For example, Quran 2:108 emphasizes forgiveness for those who turn from Islam, while a Hadith suggests the death penalty for apostasy, though this is often interpreted as referring to betrayal of the tribe, not merely leaving the religion.
Islam is generally seen as a matter of personal belief, with many Muslims believing that those who leave should be forgiven. Figures like Mina Ahadi and Miryam Namazie, founders of the Council for Ex-Muslims, advocate for the freedom to leave Islam, citing concerns about violence, oppression, and human rights abuses within the religion. Committed Muslims argue that Islam is about personal conviction, and experiences of forced practices, such as arranged marriages, can drive people away from the faith. Ultimately, Islam should not be about coercion, but about love and care that naturally lead to devotion.
Conversion?
Conversion to Islam, or dawah, is the process of inviting others to embrace the faith. Some people convert to marry a Muslim, at family request, or after a personal emotional or intellectual experience that leads them to embrace Islam. Islam teaches that all people are born Muslim and that conversion is a return to their natural state. Converts may describe their journey as embracing Islam, a warm and emotional experience.
To convert, one must recite the Shahadah (statement of faith) in front of two witnesses, freely and with sincere belief. Afterward, converts learn more about Islamic practices, such as prayer and rituals. A symbolic ceremony is often held, where the convert’s head may be shaved and they may receive a new Muslim name.
Throughout history, even some of Muhammad’s former enemies, like Abu Sufyan, converted to Islam. The spread of Islam was also facilitated by Sufi missionaries, like Moinuddin Chisti in South Asia, who preached equality and charity. Figures like William Quilliam, who set up one of the first mosques in the UK, and Lady Evelyn Cobbold, the first British Muslim to perform the Hajj, also embraced Islam and made significant contributions to its presence in the West.
Hamsa Yusuf?
Hamsa Yusuf, an American convert to Islam, was inspired by his travels across North Africa, where he encountered sincere Muslims who, despite their hardships, practiced their faith with dedication. This experience led him to embrace Islam, study the religion, and later give lectures to inspire others. Some converts, particularly those going through difficult periods in their lives, turn to Islam as a way to start fresh. It is common for people in prison to convert, as Islam provides them with hope and a structure for living.
