Tidbits of Historic relevance
Short questions 1 thru 5
1. Explain the three fundamental unities of Islam.
This is the belief that the foundation of faith is the relationship between God, all of creation (to include humankind) and one religion.
Not unlike other monotheistic religions Allah is omnipotent, unquestionable, and transcendental. Humankind is part of the creation of Allah, and therefore obliged to serve and worship that creator. The only correct or acceptable religious practice is that espoused by the prophet Mohammed, that of Islam, which is the third and final revelation to mankind.
2. List the five pillars of Islam and briefly explain their importance.
Shehada – witness to God,
Zakat – tax,
Siyam – fasting during Ramadan,
Hajj- pilgrimage to Mecca,
Salat – prayer
The five pillars are mandated by Mohammed as the testament to the one God Allah, The witness to Allah acknowledges his singular, omnipotent being. The religious tax is utilized to support the needy and other community interest. The fasting occurs during the religious holy month of Ramadan, the prophet is quoted as saying it is to teach self restraint. The pilgrimage to Mecca is a once in a lifetime requirement to retrace the prophets mandate to rebuild the first temple to God. It emphasizes repentance and God’s forgiveness. The prayers are required by the prophet 5 time per day, at dawn, noon, mid-day, dusk, and night. Before prayers the devout are required to perform absolution, cleansing of the body and mind, the prayers themselves are a reaffirmation of God’s attributes.
3. List the major steps by which Muhammad and his followers established the Muslim community (umma) from the time of his first revelation in 610 until his death in 632.
Upon his first revelation, Muhammad was frightened, his wife had him speak to a religious relative who confirmed his vision, and emboldened him to be the true prophet of the Arab people. Muhammad then began converting friends and relatives, but became a irritant to the pagan leaders of Mecca. His family was embargoed, and soon life became too dangerous in Mecca. He was invited to judge tribal conflicts in Yathrib (now Medina), seeing this as an opportunity to improve his reputation, and unite his followers they migrated in what is now called the Hijrah. Once this migration was complete his followers drew up a constitution, forming the first umma, or religious community.
Muhammad was now seen as not only a prophet, but a lawgiver, and political as well as religious leader. By diplomacy, military successes such as Badr, and the muslim conversion of various tribes, Muhammed’s power grew, and the threatened merchants of Mecca soon realized that Islam was the new sociopolitical system of Arabia. In 629 the prophet led a group of pilgrims to Mecca (arraigned by treaty) where he made many converts, the Ka’ba was cleansed of pagan idols and before his death the Arabs were united as never before.
4. Define sunna and hadith, and explain their importance in Islam. Include in your answer a brief description of the process by which the latter were authenticated.
The Hadith is the historic recollections of the prophet Muhammad, and the Sunna is the Quranic injunction of his deeds and actions.These two archives are used to “fill in “the gaps left by the Quran. Leading a life as the prophet did accomplishes the example of how to lead a life that pleases Allah. Practices of the prophet that are included in the hadith is how and when to pray, how to dress, how to treat women, how to conduct business, the list is extensive and exact.
The hadith was authenticated by exhausting verification processes of external and internal examination. This exam included verification of the source, the situation explained, and ‘vetting’ of the path of transmission. This was accomplished in the 9th and 10th century by focusing on the chain of narrators and subject matter.
5. According to the Muslim viewpoint, why is it not accurate to say that Islam began in 7th century Arabia?
To the Muslim, the beginning of risala, the message from Allah, began at creation. This opinion is taken that Islam is “the” original and only true religion. Muhammad is credited with being the last of many prophets of God, that Jew and Christian alike have been enlightened and strayed off the path, Muhammad is humankinds last opportunity to “get it right” and live in a manner that pleases Allah.