Islam, Part I
Islam, Part I
In our study of the third religion to develop in the Middle East, we see that there are commonalties between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Some scholars of religion offer the suggestion that Islam has closer ties with Christianity than with Judaism. This notion should not come as a surprise in that Christianity is some ways is an answer to Judaism, and Islam can be seen as answer to both Judaism and Christianity. To be sure, there are important differences between Islam and the other two, but there are important similarities as you have discovered by now from the chapter readings on all three religions. There are also some significant events happening, historically speaking, when Muhammad when the Qur’an is first revealed to him by the angel Gabriel. If you take a look at the timeline presented in your textbook, page 376, you will note that the revelations begin in 610 CE/AD and the Islam begins to spread in 633 right after the death of Muhammad. This is particularly important in that we have to consider the geographic area as well as the political situation of the time period.
Take a look at the map of the Roman Empire from 44 BCE/BC ---117 CE/AD.
Roman Empire MapsLinks to an external site.
Notice how much territory the Romans controlled in the Middle East and North Africa. Consider when Jesus starts hid preaching around the year 33 or so. Fast forward to the traditional fall date of the Roman Empire, 476 CE. Now the fall is actually for the western part of the Empire, and the eastern part continues on loosely for another 1000 years. It is important to note that with the “traditional” Roman empire falling, this leads to an enormous power and political vacuum---the Arab tribes still have not united. But the culmination of Muhammad’s visions, the written Qur-an, establishment of an elected caliph, and the unification of Arab tribes to create an Arab Empire( There are a variety of groups that will assume this role –your textbook points this out). This is a unique establishment of a major world religions spreading at the same time and in conjunction with a geographical spread of a new empire. Compare the map of the Roman Empire with the map of page 402 in your textbook. Note the color shadings of pink, orange, and green in a very short period of time with then observing the purple shading.
Now that we have read about three major religions emanating from one area and spreading, it can help to see this on maps as we understand the developments of these faith. But getting back to Islam itself, there are many interesting developments in religious philosophy and practices. Islam, too, has its wealth of great philosophers and scholars—some important names that come to mind are Ibn Rushad (Averroes) and Ibn Sina (Avicenna) who were instrumental in preserving ancient philosophies of Greek and Rome with applications to Islam (Christian scholars did a similar things in using Plato and Aristotle to help explain particular aspects of faith). If you are interested in more of Islamic philosophy—there is a great series of podcasts dealing with whole history of philosophy--- you will find a whole section devoted to Islam.
https://historyofphilosophy.netLinks to an external site.
The most sacred text in Islam is clearly the Qur’an, and our second discussion post assignment will focus on that text. The most important of spiritual practices for followers of Islam (Muslims) are the Five Pillars of Islam (or Faith) consisting of Belief and Witness, Daily prayers, Zakat, Fasting, and Hajj. These five pillars are practices that all followers of Islam are expected to follow. Differences consist in interpretations in beliefs and practices –similar to what we read about in Christianity with the various denominations. There are also divisions within Islam, and usually we hear of three basic divisions or sects: Sunni, Shi’a, and Sufi. There are really more than three---and in some sense, further subdivisions of these three.
Post Question: Describe briefly each of the 5 pillars of Islam. What is Shari”ah and how does and can it relate to following the 5 pillars of Islam? In other words, does the system Islamic law and ethics compliment (work in hand in hand) with these pillars? Explain your answer. What similarities do you observe from another religion/practice that we have studied do you see with the Pillars and/or Sharia’? What differences do you see? (For this part of the question you only need pick some element or practice in another faith that you observe for a comparative basis—that could have to go with prayers or fasting or whichever aspect of Islam that has caught your attention that you wish to discuss.