1 In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most MercifulIslam and the Quran

2 Islam and the Quran Relationship with previous readings:Shares the geographical context of previous works Strong connection with the Greek, Indian, Roman, Persian and Chinese civilizations Addresses similar concerns of previous works such as: the meaning of life, the hero, the role of the divine, the status of women, the role of women, power, authority, law, heaven, hell, good, bad, good and evil, happiness, prosperity, etc. Provides contribution to some missing links in previous civilizational-works such as the Great Flood, and the stories of the towns and the cities. Addresses a wide range of issues such as the divine messages, the universe, science, the environment, etc.

3 Islam and the Quran Islam began in 610 CEThe Middle East is the home of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Islam brought to the region: political, intellectual and spiritual unity, and made Arabia a center of world power. Identity Global undertaking Islam’s message across the world: the call to prayer- a symbol of unity Muslims constitute one-fifth of world population, a small percentage of which lives in the Middle East. 95 % of Middle Easterners are Muslims Islam: the foundation of ethics, morality and family life. Coexists with secularism, communism, capitalism Muslims are aware of the elements of strength in Islam that provided a foundations of a civilization surpassed Europe for centuries.

4 Bedouins and Urban centers: Mecca, Medina Arabia: Bedouins and Urban centers: Mecca, Medina Trade and the status of Mecca: K’aba shrine which was built by Abraham and his son, Ishmael Exploitation of the weak Tribal-class system Slavery Wars and conflicts Moral and social decadence Usury Excessive consumption of alcohol

5 Central Beliefs of Islam:Islam: submission to the will of God Muslims: those who submits to the will of God. God: referred to in Arabic as Allah Oneness of God: Wahdanya -there is only one God, same God of Abraham. Oneness vs. association with God: offspring or semi divine characters –Islam and Christianity and the status of Jesus in Islam. Belief in all messages and messengers Muhammad is the seal of the prophets Islam: final and comprehensive message

6 The Message and the MessengerMuhammad was born in 570 CE He was an orphan His mother died when he was eight years old, lived with his grandfather- Abdulmutalib, then when he died, he lived with his uncle- Abu Talib. He worked in trade for Khadija, a Meccan businesswoman She admired his honesty, being trustworthy, a man of wisdom, and truth. She asked him to marry her. He accepted- she was 40 years old, and he was 25 years old. In the year, 610 Muhammad was meditating in the Hira Cave, three miles from Mecca, he heard a voice asking him to recite in the name of God. He answer he does not know how to recite, then Angel Gabriel taught him the first verses of the Quran. When Muhammad declared his message, he was persecuted and struggled with the Meccans for 13 years, then decided to emigrate –Hijrah- to Medina in 622 CE.

7 The Islamic State Upon his arrival, Prophet Muhammad established an organized society and state. He signed covenant with the Medina Jewish, and Christian tribes Hostilities continued with the people of Mecca, until 632, when Meccans were defeated. His kindness to former enemies made him won them all over, and they became part of the Muslim community of Arabia. Islam was well-established in Medina and its pillars were modeled after Prophet Muhammad and the first generation, and spread all over the world. In 632, Prophet Muhammad died and his father in law, and companion Abu Baker took over Islam began spreading at a time the two supper powers, the Persian and the Byzantine empires were in contact conflict for a half a century Islam expanded from Arabia toward Great Syria, Egypt, North Africa, West Africa, to Spain, parts of France, etc. in less than a century. Political consolidation under the Umayyad and Abbasid periods. Advancements in the areas of culture, sciences, poetry, law, architecture, etc. promoted by the state and advanced remarkably. After 750, expansion slowed down Spread in India, led by the Mughal emperors, reached its zenith between Decline and the Crusaders Wars, and the Mogul invasion in 1257 By the 1492, Muslims rule in Spain ended, and they were mistreated in Europe Islam and Muslims under Western pressure over the past 500 years Civilization coexistence vs. clash of civilizations.

8 Leadership and the Great Division in IslamProphet Muhammad from The Four Caliphs: Abu Baker ruled two years, three months and ten days-died of illness. Omar assassinated Othman- rebellion assassinated Ali- the civil war- Sunni and Shi’I Islam : assassinated

9 Pillars of Islam The Provision of Faith (Shahada): testify that “there is no God but Allah and Muhamad is His Prophet”. Requires deeds. Prayers: (Salaah) Five times a day: Fajr (before dawn), Noon (Duhur), late afternoon (As’r), sunset (Maghreb), Mid-evening (Ish’a). Facing K’aaba (holy shrine in Mecca). Pray anywhere, preferably in a Mosque Involves: washing- Wadu: washing some parts of the body. Friday Prayer: social, economic, political message. Imams: lead the prayer Prayers involves Rak’as: prescribed movements and pawing. 3. Zakat: charity-tax: An annual tax (2.5%) to meet the needs of the community, education, support the government, etc. Mandatory and voluntary Zakat

10 Pillars of Islam 4. Fasting the month of Ramadan: the 9th month of the Muslim Calendar in which the Quran was revealed in (610), on the 27th night, also known as the Night of Power Fasting involves: Abstention from food, liquids, smoking and sexual behavior from dawn to dusk. The Quran says: [2:183] “O you who believe, fasting is decreed for you, as it was decreed for those before you, that you may attain salvation” Self- discipline Religious atonement Charity in Ramadan Ramadan Prayer: Taraweeh Exemptions: young, elderly, pregnant women, the travelers and the sick are exempted from fasting. Give charity or make up the lost days. Spirituality vs. modernity- Ramadan Tent and a shopping season.

11 Pillars of Islam 5. Pilgrimage to Mecca or (Hajj), involves: A lifetime-one trip to Mecca Only those able: health and financial resources Hajji title: until a later age Rituals: circling around the Ka’ba, a shrine built by Abraham and his son Ishmael. Running 7 times between Safa and Marwa: Hajjar Visiting Min’a, the mount of Arafat (Mercy) and returning to Mecca. Providing a sacrifice: a sheep, goat, cow or a camel. Cultural mix: annual world conference for Muslims from all over the world to gather, talk about issues, etc. Solidarity with Muslims’ causes Total equality: all wears two white cloaks. All are equal before God: a head of a state similar to any other Muslim.

12 Pillars of Faith: Faith in God: One God Prophets: all prophetsBooks: Torah, Bible, Quran, etc. Angels: all angels Destiny: Fate is in the hands of God

13 Unity and Diversity in Islam: Sunni Shi’I DivideSacrifice and Atonement: for Shia’t failure to come to the aid of Imam Ali, and his sons. 2. Salvation requires intercession: family of the prophet- the Sunni consider any intermediary between the worshipper and the divine to be a desecration of the Prophet's message. 3. The status of the Imams: to Sunni Islam- those who lead the prayer. Shi’I Islam: the imam: is a divinely guided leader and the living spirit of the Prophet. As the executor of God's will on earth, infallible and sinless, made of eternal light, while others are made of dust. The hidden Imam-Mahdi. Imams are like Saints in Christianity. Jesus and the Mahdi. 4. The Mahid: Imam Muhammad ibn Hasan Alaskari was born in 868 to the last and Eleventh Imam: Alaskari who died in 874, his mom was a Byzantine Princess named Malika. 5. Pilgrimage to: Ali’s tomb in Najaf, Husayn’s in Karbala. 6. In the absence of the Mahid, Imam’s rule the state, while in Sunni Islam, imams are advisers only. 7. Fageeh deputy Imam: Guide- Khomeini and Khamani’e.

14 Sufi Islam Members of Sunni and/or Shi’I IslamTasawwuf- self-purification Seek intimacy with God through a discipline of spiritual purification Love and devotion to God Live by truth A person escape from the grip of human faculties and has truly attained to God Involves a spiritual path modeled after the prophet called Tariqa The highest jihad is the inward “striving” of the soul and soul for purification.

15 Sacred Writings and sources of Islamic Shar’ia in Islam:The Quran: The exact words of God as revealed to Muhammad. Composed of (114) chapters called Suras. Suras vary in their verses: short or long Suras. Poetic masterpiece rather than a narrative or a continuous essay. Subject- comprehensive: spiritual, social, political, economic, foreign policy, war-peace, status of minorities, etc. Islamic movements and Islam as “the solution”.

16 Sources of Legal and Social codes in Islam:2. Hadith: A collection of sayings and practices attributed to the prophet. Leadership by example: pray as you see me praying. Thousands of them: accuracy and authenticity 3. Analogy: Ky’as 4. Consensus: Ijm’a: established scholarly views on a certain issue. Modern issues such stem-cells research, cloning, etc.

17 Some critical Aspects of IslamThe role of the Ulama: Sunni-Islam, Shi’I Islam and the clergy A group of scholars advise the community about the teachings of Islam Providing advice to rulers Ulama as a political force on their own Education: traditional vs. modern education Centers of Enlightenment in Islam: Al Azhar, Al Zaytona, Al Qairawan Contemporary affairs Active involvement in the socio-economic and political affairs of the community. Grand Muftis appointed by the state The Council of Senior Ulama (30): Saudi Arabia-Political Legitimacy Supreme Guide of the Islamic Revolution –Iran-participants in the government. Religious Hierarchy: Imams, Hujat al Islam, Ayatollah years if study at Qum.

18 2. Jihad Controversial nature of Jihad in IslamIs it a pillar of Islam? No agreement among scholars. Does it mean: Holy War Target Inward struggle Conflict, war and peace. Jihad in Islamic history: obligatory, optional…

19 Misconceptions About IslamIslam as an exotic religion-False: Similar to Judaism and Christianity: notion of society, history, divine will and personal responsibility. Islam a continuation to Judaism and Christianity Religion of the desert: highlighted some of its great values such as courage, helping the poor, standing for justice. Urbanization and Islam Rational and universal outlook

20 2. Islam as a militant religionSpread by force-Sword Ruthless struggle against unbelievers: untrue Non-Muslims are protected by the Dimmi system Quran: No compulsion in religion The role of trade peaceful merchants in the spread of Islam European Conquests-Christianity and the use of force.

21 3. Islam as an intolerant religionMinorities in Islam are protected: People of the Book, Millet System, Dimmi, etc. Christian conquers and forced conversion of Muslims in Europe especially in Spain. The Crusaders wars Colonialism and neocolonialism 4. Islam as an ultraconservative religion: The 7th Century discourse Choice between religion or modern life Islam and Change Similar to Judaism and Christianity when it comes to social agenda

22 5. Islam as a Sexist ReligionThe patriarchal character of Islam similar to Judaism and Christianity. Male and family leadership Inheritance laws Polygamy: Haram Seclusion of women Divorce and custody Islam and women in modernity

23 Islam in America 7-10 million Muslims1 member of the US House of Representative Immigrants, African American Muslims and converts. Major concentration: Michigan (Dearborn-Detroit), Chicago (IL), Los Angeles, DC area, Paterson (NJ).

24 The Holy Quran: Structure: - Poetic structure114 chapters called Suras (images). Each is divided to verses called (Aya-miracle) total of 6200 Topics: current affairs of the Muslim community, trade, commerce, war, peace, social behavior, science, previous nations, law, etc. A continuation to previous divine message: recognizes the Old and New Testament As a constitution for the Muslims world Islam- as a source, and the source of law

25 The Quran: major ThemesThe image of God and his oneness The People of the Book and previous nations: Jews and Christians The status of the Muhammad and other prophets Pillars of Islam and pillars of faith The role of women in Islam The Day of Judgment Heaven and the hellfire The commandments and misguidance Justice in Islam

26 Best Online Resources on Islam