Islamic Civilization

Islamic Civilization
600 to 1000 AD Arabian Peninsula

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A Religion of Peace? Some World Leaders http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Auol4Tt9v2k Let’s see what the Koran says

Islam: A new religion Founded/started by Mohammed (Muhammad) 570-632 A.D. He was a prophet of Allah Received divine relation at the age of 40 from Gabriel, an angel of Allah in 610 A.D. Man of war Told his followers that Allah had commanded them to fight He himself fought in numerous battles

Islam: Early History Mohammed started Islam in Mecca Was forced to flee to Medina From there, he raided caravans to gain wealth Even during the holy month of Rajab! New revelation – Qur’an 2:214 What is good? Anything that helps Islam Doesn’t matter if it violates other morals or laws

Principles of Islam from the Battle of Badr Allah will grant victory to his people Even if vastly outnumbered If they remain faithful Victory = booty Vengeance belongs to Allah and his followers Prisoners from battle may be put to death Non-believers are “the vilest of creatures” (Quran 98:6) and deserve no mercy Anyone who insults M. deserves death

Islam: A new religion Islam means “submission” in Arabic Mohammed is the last and greatest prophet. Other prophets included -Abraham -Moses -Jesus Islam claims to complete the teachings of Judaism and Christianity Those who practice Islam are called Muslims. Allah, God, is the creator of heaven and earth.

Beliefs Allah is God; Mohammed is his prophet. Priests are unnecessary; Muslims communicate with Allah directly through prayer. Koran (Qur'an), the Islam holy book, contains the word of Allah as revealed to the prophet Mohammed and the Koran should not be questioned or changed (translations are discouraged).

Salvation You work your way into paradise Sexual paradise for men Only dying in jihad guarantees paradise (Sura 3:169-171) Strict Moral Code no pork no gambling no drinking no marriage to nonbelievers

Five (Six) Pillars of Islam Creed: “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his Prophet.” 2. Prayer: 5 times a day facing Mecca (Makkah) Alms to the poor Fast during Ramadan 9th month in the Muslim calendar Sacred time when god sent down the Koran for guidance Time of abstaining Pilgrimage to Mecca for those financially and physically able. Jihad – “struggle” against non-muslims

How to read the Koran - Abrogation Quran 2:106. “Whatever a Verse (revelation) do We {Allah} abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring a better one or similar to it. Know you not that Allah is able to do all things?” "To you be your religion, and to me my religion.” First “And have patience with what they say, and leave them with noble dignity. And leave Me alone to deal with those in possession of the good things of life who yet deny the Truth; and bear with them for a little while.” Second “Then when the Sacred Months (the 1st, 7th, 11th, and 12th months of the Islamic calendar) have passed, then kill the Mushrikun {unbelievers} wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them, and prepare for them each and every ambush. But if they repent and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat {the Islamic ritual prayers}), and give Zakat {alms}, then leave their way free. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Quran 9:5 Last – The Verse of the Sword Which one to follow?

Where does the Koran advocate Jihad? Sura 8:39. And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and polytheism: i.e. worshipping others besides Allah) and the religion (worship) will all be for Allah Alone [in the whole of the world]. But if they cease (worshipping others besides Allah), then certainly, Allah is All-Seer of what they do. Sura 8:67. It is not for a Prophet that he should have prisoners of war (and free them with ransom) until he had made a great slaughter (among his enemies) in the land. You desire the good of this world (i.e. the money of ransom for freeing the captives), but Allah desires (for you) the Hereafter. And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise. Sura 9:29. Fight against those who believe not in Allah, nor in the Last Day, nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islam) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. Sura 9:33. It is He {Allah} Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islam), to make it superior over all religions even though the Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) hate (it).

Other Tenants of Islam Muslims must struggle for peace Islam = peace When everyone is Muslim, there will be peace. Islamic School in Britain Muslims may take the property of those they kill in jihad Muslims may lie to unbelievers to achieve their goals: "Taqiyya [deception], even if committed without duress, does not lead to a state of infidelity -- even if it leads to sin deserving of hellfire." Sura 3:28

Diffusion of Islam
the process by which a cultural trait, material object, idea, or behavior pattern is spread from one society to another

Expansion Mohammed declared a jihad, or struggle against nonbelievers. Islam claimed Mecca and portions of Arabia. Expansion continued after Mohammed’s death Primarily through conquest (jihad). but also spread through trade and travel Despite great distances, desert environments, and mountain barriers Spread into the Fertile Crescent, Iran, and Central Asia, facilitated by weak Byzantine and Persian empires

Political unity of the first Muslim empire was short-lived. Arabic language spread with Islam and facilitated trade across Islamic lands. Slavery was not based on race. Muslim conquest of Jerusalem and Damascus Muslims defeated at the Battle of Tours in France by Charles Martel

Division of Islam
After Mohammed’s death

Who should rule? After Mohammed’s death, 4 great caliphs ruled. This eventually gave way to dynasties. Sunni- caliph chosen by Muslim leaders (Largest Sect) Shi’ite (Shi’a)- caliph must be a descendant of Mohammed (Second largest) Sufi- Muslim mystics (small sect)

Sacred Cities Mecca Birthplace of Mohammed Home of the Ka’ba Believed to be built by Abraham Thought to be the first place created by God Medina Burial site of Mohammed and “the Prophet’s Mosque” Jerusalem The Dome of the Rock

Qur’an

Islam and Women
Does Islam respect and honor women?

Verses about women in the Qur’an Men have authority over women because Allah has made the one superior to the other. (Qur’an 4:34) Your women are a tilth (field) for you to cultivate so go to your tilth as you will. (2:223) If you fear that you will not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with them, then only one, or a captive that your right hand possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing in justice. (4:3)

More verses Allah thus direct you as regards your children’s inheritance: to the male, a portion equal to that of two females. (4:11) Good women are to be obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah has guarded. As for those from whom you fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge (beat with a whip) them. (4:34) If you are in doubt concerning those of your wives who have ceased menstruating, know that their waiting period shall be three months. The same shall apply to those who have not yet menstruated. (65:5)

Going out “the husband may forbid his wife to leave the home” (10:4) “a woman may not leave the city without her husband or member of her unmarriageable kin accompanying her unless the journey is obligatory, like the haji. (10:3)

Dress Women must “lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments…” except for their husbands (24:31) Mohammad said “it does not suit [a woman] to display her body parts except her face and hands.” Women who venture outside without the hijabare “asking for rape.”*

More dress Mufti of Australia, Sheikh Taj al-Din al-Hilali Rape is “90 percent the woman’s responsibility….If you take uncovered meat and put it on the street, on the pavement, in a garden, in a park, or in the backyard, without a cover and the cats eat it, then whose fault will it be, the cats, or the uncovered meat’s? The uncovered meat is the disaster….If the woman is in her boudoir, in her house and if she’s wearing the veil and if she shows modesty, disasters don’t happen.”

Rape A woman’s testimony is worth half as much as a man’s (2:282) Women can only testify in “cases involving property or transactions dealing with property such as sales. (24:8) Four male witnesses are needed to prove it (24:13)

Adultery Women who commit adultery are stoned Still happens today in countries with Islamic law

Islamic Civilization