Islam – part 2

1. Islam – part 2 Muslim Worlds of Meaning

2. Monotheism • “tawhid” The unity or oneness of God • “There is no God but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God” is the primary confession, called the “Shahadah” • Muhammad captured the name of God already known to Arab society but insisted upon excluding all nature deities and rival idols

3. Conflict created by Monotheism • Polytheism allows everyone to believe in any God or gods they wish. • Monotheism results in a demand of exclusive and unitive belief. • Polytheism doesn’t start religious wars or conflicts but Monotheism has often done so.

4. Strict Monotheism • For Muslims, God is alone in divine power so God is responsible for everything that happens… there is no rival god. • There is a Devil (ʾIblīs (Arabic: إبليس‎) or Shayṭān (Arabic: شيطان‎) (plural: شياطينShayāṭīn) but he has no power except to cast temptations into human hearts.

5. Transcendence and Immanent • God is not mixed into nature or in the world but is everywhere at all times. • All but one sura of the Quran open by describing God as being “Most Merciful and Most Compassionate.

6. Humans • Unlike Christianity and Judaism, Islam does not teach that humans are made in the image of God. God is singularly unique. • Humans are most special because we can: • Discern the difference between what is true and what is false • Choose between good and evil • Speak, giving us the ability to praise God

7. The Problem of Human Evil • Unlike Christians, Muslims do not believe that people are inherently evil. • In fact, they believe that it is our nature to live as Muslims, that is, “in total submission to God.” But we forget and stray from God’s ways. • One who denies God, a kafir, is an unbeliever.

8. “My Jihad” • The primary issue of faithfulness is the internal struggle. • Jihad means “struggle” • Muhammad said after a battle, “We have returned from the small jihad to the larger jihad.”

9. Understandings of Salvation • Modern Christianity thinks of salvation as something God does for humans, generally accepting us into an eternal Kingdom. • Originally the word meant to “be made whole” • Muslims do not speak of salvation but of living life that is real life, in harmony with God’s will in a life of “felicity”

10. Ritual Practices and the Good Life • The Muslim calendar is a lunar calendar which is not “reset” by summer or winter soltices, nor by spring and fall equinox. • Therefore Muslim holidays are not tied to seasons, harvests or any particular time of year.

11. 7 day a week religion • Since forgetting God is the greatest of sins, prayer 5 times a day, 7 days a week is the most crucial aspect of the practice of Islam. • Prayers are said at early morning, noon, mid afternoon, sunset and evening. • Muslims purify themselves prior to prayer, washing their hands, arms, face, nostrils, hair, ears and feet.

12. Friday prayers and sermon from imam • It is not necessary to go to a mosque to pray at all but it is common to go on Friday. • Not all congregations have an imam • The imam is not ordained and has not necessarily graduated from a school of religious studies • The imam is expected to preach and counsel and teach but has no institutional authority.

13. The practice of alms-giving • Wealth is not considered to be evil nor is it a sin to become wealthy. • It is to be given to poor Muslims (not Christians or Jews) • It is not used to build a mosque or care for parents or bury the dead. • It is like a religious tax

14. Fasting in Ramadan • The fast requires that nothing be taken by mouth during daylight hours, not even water or medicine. • Evenings in Ramadan are a time of rejoicing. • The annual fast unites the community.

15. The Pilgrimage (Hajj) • One may save up for many years to go. • It is inclusive of both men and women • Men are required to wear a two piece white garment (women may wear whatever they wish) • During the Hajj everyone refrains from cutting their hair, uprooting any living thing, arguing or cursing.

16. Rituals of the Hajj • Walk around the Ka’bah 7 times, counter-clockwise, putting it in the center of your life. • While walking they touch the black stone in the corner given by Gabriel to Abraham and used by Abraham and Ishmael to build the first Ka’bah. • Running 7 times between the two hills to emulate how Hagar and to flee with Ishmael

17. …. The hajj • On the 8th day they go to the desert and spend several days there. • The Ritual of Standing comes on the 9th day when the whole community stands in submission to God from noon until sunset • Ritual of Stoning, representing how Ishmael threw rocks at Satan to make the tempter flee • Each household sacrifices an animal and shares part of the meat with the poor.

18. Other practices • No blessing is required at birth in the Quran but the tradition is to whisper the call to prayer in the baby’s right ear. • Boys are circumcised, some at birth and in some places as a ritual passage into manhood at age 11 or 12. • Marriage and having children is encouraged though marriage is not, in itself, sacred.

19. Rituals around death • The dying person is turned to face Mecca and the words “There is no God but God” is recited along with sura 36 which deals with death and resurrection. • The person is buried facing Mecca in a white garment such as is worn in the hajj. • A Muslim must be buried within 24 hours of death.

20. Art in Islamic Culture • Muslims repeat the strict Jewish teachings against making images of God or of people, animals, etc.. • Conversely, they have developed the arts of calligraphy, decoration, architecture, poetry and literature. • Possibly responsible for the destruction of a lot of Egyptian and Greek art

21. Shari’ah – social ethics • Some nations merge Islam and government, such as in Iran and Pakistan. • Men and women have both lead Muslim nations. • There are secular Muslim nations such as Turkey.

22. Examples of Shari’ah • Sexuality is considered to be healthy and good but only within marriage. • Divorce is allowed. • A man can have up to 4 wives but a woman can have only one husband. • Homosexuality, prostitution and extra-marital sex is forbidden.

23. Dietary Laws • Muslims are forbidden to eat things that are bad for their health, especially alcohol and drugs. • They refrain from eating pork, carrion, blood or anything sacrificed to another god. • They must refrain from eating anything that died by any reason other than proper slaughter.

24. Financial Observances • A Muslim is to refrain from gambling • There should be no lying, cheating, theft, bribery, forgery or any illegal gain. • Muslims should never pay interest.

25. Islam and Terrorism • 85% of Muslims are Sunni and 15% are Shites • The majority of Muslims believe that military action is legitimate only in self defense. • Most Muslims believe that suicide is forbidden and that the innocent must never be intentionally killed in battle.