Friday, February 27, 2015

Huston Smith P.3

6: How do Muslims live according to their religion?
  • Muslims attempt to follow "The straight path" that is free of corruption, and has very distinct standards. 
  • Islam has set and defined ways to lead a righteous life, which Muslims see as an advantage because it is free of ambiguity. 
  • Prayer should be done on schedule, however it is acceptable to wait or delay praying based on circumstances. Furthermore prayer does not have to be done in congregation and is not as essential as it is to Christianity and Judaism.
  • Charity of 1/40th of ones net worth is mandated annually in the five pillars, and is to help those in need instead of religious institutions.
  • Fasting is also part of the five pillars in the month of Ramadan, and it is meant to teach self-discipline, and to force us to be compassionate and understand how fragile we are. 
    • The Five Pillars help to establish the religions core beliefs as well as to provide a code for daily conduct according to religious values that are associated with rituals. 
7: How does Islam guide its followers in decision making?
  • The reliance on a feeling of family and brotherly love among followers to foster compassion.
  • The Koran provides spiritual teaching and guides the actions of its readers.
  • The idea that the world as a whole requires nourishment to create the sentiment of responsibility for others.
  • By using the nuclear family as a guide for the society as a whole as a means of demonstrating how to treat one another.
  • Customs like polygamy are allowed by not encouraged as the man is supposed to love each wife equally, a task that is near impossible.
    • Islam creates a guide to decision making through the Koran and a sense of community that is reinforced through its teachings and seen in situations like race relations and women's rights.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Huston Smith P2

(Not sure which part this goes with so I'm putting it twice.)
What is "The Standing Miracle"?
  • The Koran is considered a miracle because it is written as great poetry by an almost illiterate man, Muhammad.
  • Its name means a recitation and it is the most memorized book in the world.
  • The created Koran contains the divine reality of the uncreated Koran.
  • The Koran considers each sentence to be a revelation because it is said to be from God without any muddling from being passed down.
  • The Koran has a strong emotional effect on its followers.
    • The Koran's ability to convey its message without losing anything to its followers and that it was written as it is by an illiterate man are what and why it is the standing miracle.
What are the basic theological concepts of Islam?
  • Islam shares most of its religious concepts with Christianity and Judaism 
  • God: God is invisible, omnipresent, and the only god. This means that according to Muslims, Jesus was created divinely, but was only a prophet, not God incarnate. God is also much more merciful and compassionate than he is portrayed, but humanizing terms like father are rejected by Islam
  • Creation: Creation is perfect as it is Allah's work. We too are created by Allah and have divine origin.
  • Humanity: We often forget our divine origin or take it for granted, and infidel is someone who lacks faithfulness to this. We must surrender to God, but commitment describes surrendering better than surrender because of military connotations.
  • Judgement Day: Individuality and freedom are emphasized on judgement day. Our souls face reckoning for all of their good and bad actions throughout our life and our commitment to Allah in the end. The souls judge themselves.
    • The basic concepts are the belief in one god, creation, our existence from divine origin and our upholding of our faith and morality. 

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Huston Smith Part 1

What is the significance of Islam in history (Islamic Background)

  • The Islamic empire was greater than the Roman is size and cultural diversity.
  • Muslims were able to assimilate their subjects into their culture well because of their faith.
  • Muslims are Semites as they are descendants of Shem.
  • Islam and religious zeal contributed greatly to the Arabic empire's spread. 
  • Islam splits from the Torah/bible in saying that Ismael created the city of Mecca.
    • Islam was significant because it was a driving force behind the expansion of the Arab empire, which was highly influential on a large area.
How did Muhammad's become a prophet and spread God's word?
  • Last of the prophets, no more will come after him.
  • Morally superior to his contemporaries, he rejected the animistic religion of the time.
  • Was told in his retreat to proclaim several times.
  • Began to preach but faced harsh opposition in Mecca.
  • His message began to spread despite the opposition.
    • Muhammad is the last of the prophets and was called upon by God to proclaim His message because he was not deceived by the false idols of the time. He spread his word in his sermons and grew in popularity despite the leaders of Mecca's best efforts.
What happened during the height of Islam's expansion under Muhammad and why is it significant?
  • Muhammad left Mecca in secret for Medina/Yathrib, where he was welcomed and became magistrate.
  • Muhammad continued to live his life in a virtuous way even once he became more powerful.
  • Muhammad had an excellent career as a statesman and unified vast portions of the globe.
  • After years in Medina, he returned to conquer Mecca but forgave his enemies and focused on the spread of Islam. 
  • No other Arab leader has unified as great of an area geographically and culturally as Muhammad, making him rank of the most influential man of history according to Michael Hart.
    • Muhammad's tact and skill as a leader helped to spread Islam and bring all of the tribes of Arabia together, and this is significant because it has never been repeated.
What is "The Standing Miracle"?
  • The Koran is considered a miracle because it is written as great poetry by an almost illiterate man, Muhammad.
  • Its name means a recitation and it is the most memorized book in the world.
  • The created Koran contains the divine reality of the uncreated Koran.
  • The Koran considers each sentence to be a revelation because it is said to be from God without any muddling from being passed down.
  • The Koran has a strong emotional effect on its followers.
    • The Koran's ability to convey its message without losing anything to its followers and that it was written as it is by an illiterate man are what and why it is the standing miracle. 

Vocab Quiz/ 5Y method doctrines and beliefs

Statement: Similar to how Muslims abide to the Five Pillars of Islam, and apply these concepts to many aspects of their daily lives, the community of Millbrook follows similar patterns. 

What are some of the aspects of our lives at millbrook that are similar to the aspects of Muslim life?

We share a moral code like don't cheat or fight, the exception being that islam condones fighting in defense.

Why do we follow patterns? 

Because its human nature and we need something concrete to keep us together.

So does take advantage of our need for order, or do we create order within religion?

The social hierarchy in religion takes advantage of the need for structure and a human's desire for something to believe in.

How does this relate to our school systems implementation of order?

We have a code of conduct that we are supposed to follow and we have to accept that doing work will make us succeed and that we accept this in religion too. 

Conclusion:
Religious codes and school codes influence our lives in similar ways, as they both provide a template as to base our lives off of, and appeal to our need for structure.  

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

IA Research

The Hajj
Defintion:

  • Literally means "to continuously strive to reach one's goal"
  • Fifth Pillar of Islam, pilgrimage
  • Once in a lifetime obligation
  • Not an obligation to children


Ritual Process:

  • The pilgrimage takes place each year between the eighth and the 13th days of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Muslim lunar calendar. Its first rite is the donning of the ihram.
  • Ihram is a white two piece seamless cloth that covers the body for men, men's heads must be uncovered. Women wear a dress and head covering without a veil. 
  • The Ihram symbolizes purity, equality before God, and renunciation of evil, when adorned the pilgrim may not fight or act violently, nor shave or cut their nails. 
  • "The donning of the ihram is accompanied by the primary invocation of the hajj, the talbiyah: Here I am, O God, at Thy Command! Here I am at Thy Command! Thou art without associate; Here I am at Thy Command! Thine are praise and grace and dominion! Thou art without associate."
  • First day: Go from Mecca to Mina 
  • "During the second day, the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, pilgrims leave Mina for the plain of ‘Arafat for the wuquf, “the standing,” the central rite of the hajj. As they congregate there, the pilgrims’ stance and gathering reminds them of the Day of Judgment. Some of them gather at the Mount of Mercy, where the Prophet delivered his unforgettable Farewell Sermon, enunciating far-reaching religious, economic, social and political reforms. These are emotionally charged hours, which the pilgrims spend in worship and supplication. Many shed tears as they ask God to forgive them. On this sacred spot, they reach the culmination of their religious lives as they feel the presence and closeness of a merciful God."
  • "Just after sunset, the mass of pilgrims proceeds to Muzdalifah, an open plain about halfway between ‘Arafat and Mina. There they first pray and then collect a fixed number of chickpea-sized pebbles to use on the following days. Before daybreak on the third day, pilgrims move en masse from Muzdalifah to Mina. There they cast at white pillars the pebbles they have previously collected. According to some traditions, this practice is associated with the Prophet Abraham. As pilgrims throw seven pebbles at each of these pillars, they remember the story of Satan’s attempt to persuade Abraham to disregard God’s command to sacrifice his son."
  • "Still sojourning in Mina, pilgrims visit Makkah to perform another essential rite of the hajj: the tawaf, the seven-fold circling of the Ka’bah, with a prayer recited during each circuit. Their circumambulation of the Ka’bah, the symbol of God’s oneness, implies that all human activity must have God at its center. It also symbolizes the unity of God and man."
  • Many kiss the black stone, but it bears no other significance than that Muhammad kissed it too.

Meaning/Purpose:

  • "Pilgrims symbolically relive the experience of exile and atonement undergone by Adam and Eve after they were expelled from Heaven, wandered the earth, met again and sought forgiveness in the valley of Mecca. They also retrace the frantic footsteps of the wife of Abraham, Hagar, as she ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa searching for water for her thirsty baby (which according to Muslim tradition, God answered with the well of Zam Zam). Lastly, the pilgrims also commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son for the sake of God. God later substituted a ram in place of his son."
  •  Pilgrims intend on achieving a deep inner transformation, and finding inner peace that manifests outwardly toward other through empathy, mercy, justice, etc.
http://www.whyislam.org/submission/five-pillars-of-islam-2/pilgrimage/pilgrimage/
http://www.whyislam.org/submission/five-pillars-of-islam-2/pilgrimage/hajj-the-journey-of-a-lifetime/

Chapter 4 Islam for Idiots

Keys Ideas

  • We may not depict God, as we have never seen him and cannot understand Him.
  • Movies are wrong and blasphemous as they try to depict God in a human way
  • We should not depict prophets either, as their appearance can detract from their message (link to Je suis charlie)
  • There is only one God. there is not a little bit of God in each of us this is shaytan spreading deceit to keep us away from Him.
  • No one has ever seen Allah (Moses was close)
  • Allah is one, no divisions and also no chosen people
  • Early Islam challenged pagan beliefs
  • On judgement day idol-worshipers will be confronted by their idols for their foolishness
  • Jesus is considered to have been born like Adam, not part God
  • Muslims believe that Allah descending would be below him
  • Taqwa- be conscious of God in your heart
  • God has no form that we can understand
  • Allah is neither male or female, and we can understand him through his 99 names instead of pictures

Koran by Heart Journal

(As Nabiollah, written by his translator)

It was very strange coming to Cairo. Everything was so big and crowded, but the Imams welcomed me and I felt relaxed. I was originally nervous, being one the youngest competitors, but once I started to recite I felt calm. When I closed my eyes, I could go through every passage in front of the judges, and it felt normal to recite in front of the President.
I hope third place is good enough to go to the school in the capital my dad likes. I know how much he wants he to get an education. I would like to too, and be able to write so I won't need a translator to write this for me. Then I could also learn the Tajweed. I wish my teacher had taught us that since he spent his time only teaching the Koran. My father made great sacrifices to put me in that school to learn the Koran, and I could tell he was upset I hadn't learned anything else.
Maybe one day I'll go back and compete again, once I know the Tajweed and my feet will touch the ground when I sit in the chair.


-Nabiollah

Monday, February 2, 2015

Islam for Idiots 3

This chapter covers the ideas of growing spiritually, sin and repentance, and the afterlife. Muslims believe that we have three stages of spiritual development: seeking pleasure, seeking answers, and following God. Also, Muslims believe that people are not born with sin, but their animal desires and Shaytan's empty promises may lead them away from following their Fitrah. We must believe in God and ask his forgiveness for sins and be sincere. On Judgement Day we will all be judged for the sins in our lives and how we lived, and if need be our souls are purged of evil in Hell for a period of time.