robson14
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Portland Community College *
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Religion
Date
Feb 20, 2024
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docx
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6
Uploaded by ProfessorIceCat10
1) What is meant by the Arabic word “umma?”
The umma refers to the entire community of Islam, including all individuals, regardless of gender or age, who believe in God and recognize Muhammad as His Prophet.
2) Summarize Sura 33:35 here:
Those who are committed to God, whether male or female, and follow His commandments by being truthful, patient, humble, charitable, fasting, chaste, and frequently remembering God, are promised forgiveness and abundant rewards.
3) Highlight Robert Bianchi’s summary of the haj here:
The hajj is a crucial pilgrimage for Muslims, which involves various prayers and rituals that are significant for their religious practice. Bianchi, while on his journey
to the mosque in Medina, spent a lot of time with the Egyptian tour guide named Muhammad. He also met an Egyptian engineer and some brother-in-laws who were
there for religious worship. Bianchi was taken aback by Muhammad's strong emotional reaction in the presence of the prophet. The brothers from Ohio unfortunately had their cash stolen by thieves who cut their belongings, leaving them shaken but grateful that they were not harmed.
4) If the flag of Saudi Arabia features the Shahada, what does that tell you about Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia aims to emphasize the significance of faith in God and His prophet Muhammad for Muslims by reiterating the declaration that "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God." Additionally, Islam provides a means to unite people under the submission to God.
5) Is there something similar in the culture of the United States?
The statement suggests that the speaker thought of two things - the pledge of allegiance and the phrase "In God we trust" on American currency - that serve as reminders to Americans to have faith in God.
6) What do Shiite Muslims add to the Shahada?
"I bear witness that Ali is the vice regent of God."
7) How does Robson characterize Sunni Islam (yellow inset)?
Sunni Islam places emphasis on collective decision-making and scholarship in matters of religious and social significance following the passing of the Prophet Muhammad.
8) How does Robson characterize Shia Islam?
Shia Islam gives great spiritual significance to the imams and emphasizes the lineage of Muhammad. The adherents of Shia Islam are known as Shites.
9) Which group is larger in number?
Sunni Islam.
10) In the words of Robson, Islam hopes to re-unite [all people] in universal —
Submission to God.
11) What territories did the Umayyad Dynasty conquer for Islam and themselves?
The Dome of the Rock mosque was constructed in Jerusalem after it was captured from the Byzantine Empire.
12) What territories did the Abbasid Dynasty conquer for Islam and themselves?
They expanded Islam further to America and Europe.
13) What territories did the Mongols conquer for Islam and themselves?
Over a span of a few centuries, the Mongol factions assimilated with indigenous rulers and paved the way for the rise of three prosperous Muslim empires - the Ottoman Empire, the Safavid Empire, and the Mughal Empire.
14) What territories did the Ottomans conquer for Islam and themselves?
The Ottomans expanded their territory into Europe by invading and conquering the
Byzantine Empire, ultimately seizing its capital.
15) In 1453 a major battle took place. This was devastating for the Christians, but a major victory for the Ottomans. Where was that battle?
Constantinople.
16) The Ottomans transformed —
The religious capital of Orthodox Christianity was transformed into an emblem of Islamic triumph.
17) Return to pp. 204 & 205 of Robson. Describe the European Christian traveller’s impressions of his 17th century immersion into Islamic culture.
The speaker is impressed with the devotion and meticulousness shown by the individuals in performing their rituals and prayers, and is particularly moved by their expression of gratitude by kissing the ground. They note that all prayers are directed towards Mecca.
18) What territories did the Mughals conquer for Islam and themselves?
The Mughal Empire extended its influence into regions where Hinduism or Buddhism was the dominant religion.
19) Why did the Mughals have difficulty in those lands?
Combining local traditions with Islam in India was a challenging task due to the stark contrast between Hinduism and Islam. Hinduism celebrates things that Islam
forbids, such as the belief in multiple gods, avatars, sculptures, and the notion that
gods and people share the divine essence of creation/Brahman, as opposed to being created by a single Creator God.
20) The martyrdom of Hussein (son of Ali, son of Muhammad) marked the symbolic
birthday of…
Shia Islam.
21) Why do Shiites believe that their imams should be the successors of Muhammad?
The reason they were considered the rightful successors of the prophet is that they
belonged to the same family as Muhammad, namely Ali and Hussein.
22) Describe some of the differences between Shiite and Sunni practice and belief, as outlined by Robson on p. 231.
Shiite Muslims face greater risks than Sunni Muslims in proclaiming their belief in Islam, and the consequences of doing so are more severe. Due to their minority
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status, Shiites have developed their own traditions. In addition, Shiites tend to view the world in more apocalyptic terms compared to Sunni Muslims.
23) How many different Islamic sects / groups did Muhammad allegedly foresee?
73.
24) How (in what way) can Islamic prayer (salat) help reinforce faith and submission to God?
This provides Muslims with a means to directly engage with God and uphold their faith.
25) Why does the month of Ramadan change from year to year in relation to the solar calendar? (Are there Jewish or Christian seasons / holidays that are similar in
that they don’t have a fixed date?)
The timing of Ramadan in Islam is determined by the lunar calendar, which can result in it falling during the shorter winter days or the longer summer days. Similarly, Easter Sunday is observed on a different date each year, as it falls on the
first Sunday following the Paschal Full Moon date, which can occur anywhere from
March 22 to April 25.
26) According to Sura 2:183-185, what is the significance / reason for Ramadan?
The purpose of fasting is to be conscious of God and to gain a clear understanding of what is right and wrong.
27) What is the significance of a black thread and a white thread in Islam?
This refers to the end of the pre-dawn meal (suhoor) during the month of Ramadan. A possible paraphrase could be: "It marks the beginning of the fast, when one can discern a thin black line from a thin white line at the break of dawn."
28) How might Islamic, Christian and Jewish mysticism be similar to that of Hinduism and Buddhism? (see pp. 235-236)
This suggests that Islam shares some similarities with Jewish Mysticism and Christianity in terms of using Neoplatonic arguments to explain how God's perfection can be manifested on earth. Moreover, Islam and Christianity
emphasize the importance of living in harmony with ultimate reality and aim to establish a connection with God through prayer and worship. The statement implies that these three religions share some common beliefs and practices.
29) Is Sufi “divine intoxication” literal and substance-related?
Sufi is based on substance and cannot be acquired solely through reading books; one must experience it directly.
30) According to Islamic tradition, whose ultimately is wealth?
God's.
31) Complete this sentence (from Robson): “To give zakat is to help the Islamic umma: this money must…
Be given to Muslims.
32) How might sadaqa be compared to bribery?
I think it could be comparable, but it doesn't seem like a bribe to me. Giving to charity is meant to assist others and yourself, whether it is to help those in need or
to seek forgiveness for your own sins.
33) Read the Qur’anic text at the beginning of the Fourth Pillar section on p. 238 and compare it with the Christian Gospel of Matthew 25:31-46. Any thoughts? How
does Muhammad’s teaching on this topic compare with Jesus’ teaching?
This idea can be compared to the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the importance of giving to those in need and refraining from taking from them. He taught that those who help others will be rewarded while those who do not will face consequences.
34) Compare the Sufi during dikr and a hajji (pilgrim) actually IN Mecca. How does
Robson describe this similarity?
How you celebrate can be different, but the united feeling will be the same.
35) Summarize the text of the yellow inset on p. 241 here:
The sixth tenet of Islam is known as jihad, which involves demonstrating unwavering belief in and surrender to Allah, as well as safeguarding the religion from harm during times of crisis or assault.
36) Robson’s first paragraph on p. 242 discusses Jihad in relation to The Holy Land.
Trace the history of entitlement to / settlement of this portion of the The Promised Land (Genesis 15:18-21) throughout history. Which religious traditions have laid claim to it? Who might have the first claim? Who has the current claim? What seems to be the difficulty in this whole issue?
Christianity and Judaism pose challenges despite being monotheistic, as Christians
believe in the concept of the Trinity, and Jews regard "people of the book" differently. Some Muslims view Israel as an intruder in the Middle East, similar to the Crusaders who aimed to seize Jerusalem from Muslims. From their perspective, the creation of a Jewish state in historically Islamic territories is an attack on Islam, making Palestinian Muslims view it as a defensive jihad. Conversely, certain Muslim scholars argue that the fight for Islam should occur worldwide, particularly in Muslim regions contaminated by non-Muslim infidels such as European and American prisons in Iraq or Afghanistan, the State of Israel, and even Turkey's secular government. In summary, the confrontation between the
truth of Islam and falsehood seems to be both spiritually and mentally challenging.
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