Islam Worksheet When studying Islam, it is important to understand the essential elements of the faith, how they are practiced, and the distinctions among the three branches: Shiite Islam, Sunni Islam, and Sufism. Write a 1- to 2-paragraph response for each of the following directives and note where there are differences among the three branches of Islam.
1. Explain the meaning of the name, Islam. The name Islam is closely related to the Arabic word salam and the Hebrew word shalom meaning “ peace” “ purity” and “ submission”, literally meaning “ surrender” or “ submission” to one God, Muslims translation is “ Allah”. The name Islam “ suggests the inner peace that is gained by surrendering to the divine. The word Islam also connotes the community of all believers, suggesting inclusion in a large family. ” (Molloy, 2010 p. 430)
2. Explain the basic concepts of Islam. Islam is the religion that Muslims follow, believing in one God “ Allah” in Arabic, who is believed to be omnipotent and omnipresent who created the universe “ Muslims believe that divine revelation began just after the creation of the human race, when God spoke to Adam and Eve. ” (Molloy, 2010 p. 30) Muslims do not carry the same beliefs in Jesus as Christians do although they do not doubt his existence. Muslims believe in the prophet Muhammad who Allah reveiled the divine word to which was later written in the first revelations of the Qur’an. Muslims believe in the division of good and evil and believe in consequences in both. They believe that one must whole heartedly commit to Allah in order to be Muslim.
3. Describe the practices of Islam. All Muslims must practice the following of the Five Pillars of the religion written in the Qur’an in order to support their faith to Allah. They must recite the creed, which is “ There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger. ” Muslims also must pray five times daily and prior to prayer must cleans and purify the body reciting “ before dawn and at midday, midafternoon, sunset, and nighttime. ” (Molly, 2010 p. 432). Also written in the Qur’an and standard Muslim practice requires that charity is given to the poor. Fasting during Ramadan is also necessary providing “ good individual growth, and it is also an important bond that unites Muslims during a period of shared fasting known as Ramadan. (Molloy, 2010 p. 434) Part of the basic practices of Islam is that all Muslims also take part in a pilgrimage to Mecca at some points in their lives for those who can afford it. Social order and happiness is increased through certain prohibitions imposed such as dietary restrictions of pork and alcohol, changing interest percentage rates on loans and gambling, circumcision is required, arranged marriage making marriage a civil contract, traditional male and female roles are amongst the basic practices of Islam as well.
4. Describe the goals of Islam. The fundamental goals of Islam are a complete submission to Allah and adherence to the teachings of the Qur’an. Preservation of the religion, life, wealth, mind, lineage, and honor as well as the rights to the less fortunate and weak are all deeply important. Performing ritual worships per the Five Pillars and following Islamic principles is as equally an important goal. Ensuring that good deeds are performed and following moral guidelines per the commands of Allah, and the prophet Muhammad’s teachings.
5. Describe the view of authority in Islam. Muslims believe that the Qur’an is the primary authority although they also consider “ the hadiths, logic, precedents, analogy, the consensus of early jurists, and the decisions of religious scholars. (Molloy, 2010 p. 462) Containing within the Qur’an are the words of Allah the revelations of Muhammad with specific importance in that of al-Bukari containing three thousand hadiths which dictate certain authority. Interpretation of these hadiths has produced three four major schools of Islam.
The Sunni Islam’s producing one and Shiite Islam’s produce three others establishing judgment of subjects such as “ On what grounds may a wife request a divorce? Can a village without a mosque be taxed and forced to build one? How many witnesses are necessary to legitimize a marriage? ” (Molloy, 2010 p. 462) The Qur’an serves as the primary source of information and authority for Muslims, much as the Bible does for Christians. With this in mind, evaluate Islam’s historical influences on law, philosophy, and the arts in the Muslim world.
Write a 1- to 2-paragraph response for each of the following questions. Provide examples to illustrate your thinking.
1. What is the legal ideal in Islamic law? How does the Qur’an inform and guide Muslims in attaining this ideal? Islamic law is called Sharia, which is considered the laws of life, with a very religious origin and are also secular in nature formed to adhere to a large population however are also not separate from religious law. “ In traditional Islamic ideal, laws bring everyday life into ever-closer harmony with the regulations of the Qur’an and traditional teaching. (Molloy, 2010 p. 463) Muhammad believed in other religions who were “ people of the book”, Jews and Christians were free to practice their religion which was not Islam in exchange for paying a special tax.
2. What is the relationship between philosophy and theology within Islam? Is it acceptable for Muslims to hold separate philosophical and theological beliefs? Muslims have a distinction between philosophy and theology. “ Philosophy considers all questions by the light of reason alone, without making use of religious revelation. Theology, however, mixes philosophy and religion, for it uses philosophy to investigate religious doctrines” (Molloy, 2010 p. 464) The Qur’an specifies Allah to be both merciful and just but when question it is found that either one concept can exclude another. Thoughts that arise in a philosophic form question the very theology behind religion. Philosophy has influence the Muslim religion however several famous philosophers namely al-Ghazali “ He criticized philosophy for generating arguments and false pride, and he distanced himself from both rational theology and legalism. Although philosophy contradicts the theories behind the Islamic religion those who are followers must submit to the awareness.
3. What artistic themes are regularly expressed in Islamic art and architecture? How are these themes explored? How has the Qur’an influenced the development of art in the Islamic world? One of the most important and symbolic artistic theme is the theme of paradise. Muslims do not express their artwork in a figural sense as with following the Islamic religion it is not right to idolize anything other than their God, Allah. Paradise is expressed within Mosque architecture, shrines, palaces, gardens, homes and down to the very rugs used for praying. Paradise is expressed in color, arches, pillars, and also expressed with fountains. Fragrent plants, water fountains, ceilings of the nice sky and negative space which offsets the balance and offers necessary emptiness. The Qur’an is also expressed through written form on walls, and as a decorating accent to most architecture expressing geometric design as a reminder of God in pardise.
