12 Islam and State: religion and the state in pre-modern Islam

Question 1

In 2014 isis declared a Caliphate - which is…

Answer 1

An islamic state modelled on original islamic society - society of Muhammad in Medinah

Question 2

A caliph is …

Answer 2

The chief Muslim civil and religious ruler, regarded as the successor of Muhammad - there was no hereditary succession

Question 3

The first 4 political leaders after Muhammad were called ______________ / their names were…..

Answer 3

The 4 rightly guided caliphs: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali

Question 4

The Era of the 4 rightly guarded caliphs is seen as the Golden Age by Isis who want to recreate it (Yet it wasn’t entirely ideal 3 of the 4 caliphs were assassinated!)-
scholarly support…

Answer 4

Michael cook - ‘the restoration of the caliphate is a political ideal for many islamists - and for some a political project’ (not necessarily for all Muslims)

Question 5

Islamism

Answer 5

Idea that Islam can form basis of government (not the same as the religion of Islam)

Question 6

The religion of Islam is supposed to transcend ethnic identity - Qur’an quote about brothers…

Answer 6

‘The believers are but brothers, so make peace between your brothers ‘

Question 7

All Muslims are equal: ‘________Final Day_______grief’

Answer 7

“Any who believe in God and the Final Day, and do good, all shall have their reward with their Lord and they will not come to fear or grief.”

Question 8

Muhammad final speech ‘Arab’

Answer 8

‘An Arab is not better than a non-Arab… except in piety.”

Question 9

Muhammad was very egalitarian (women): Hadith - ‘Women are__________’

Answer 9

“Women are the twin halves of men.”

Question 10

Muhammad was very egalitarian (women): Hadith - ‘The best_________’

Answer 10

“The best of you are those who are best to their wives.”

Question 11

Muhammad was very egalitarian (women): Hadith - ‘women have_______’

Answer 11

“Women have the same rights as men in Islam.”

Question 12

Muhammad was very egalitarian (women): Hadith ‘whoever has a daughter_____________’

Answer 12

“Whoever has a daughter and does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not favour his son over her, God will enter him into Paradise.”

Question 13

Muhammad was very egalitarian (women): Hadith ‘the search________’

Answer 13

“the search for knowledge is the duty for every Muslim male or female.”

Question 14

Muhammad was very egalitarian (women): Hadith ‘you must treat______________’

Answer 14

“You must treat women well and be kind to them as they are your partners and helpers” - From his final sermon

Question 15

Being part of Islam was being part of a political community because Muhammad was also a ________ leader.

Answer 15

political

Question 16

Yet after the death of the fourth rightly guided caliphate Ali- the empire declined as a single political unit - (3 countries) - the experience of being a Muslim is effected by ethnicity.

Answer 16

Turkey/Egypt/Pakistan

Question 17

Not quite true that the egalitarian mindset involved women - scholarly support

Answer 17

‘Islamic egalitarianism was limited to free Muslim males.’ Hank Green

Question 18

who chose the next caliph!!?

Answer 18

caliph would consult with others to agree with him, the community consensus (ijma) played an important role as hadith states that ‘my community will never agree upon an error’

Question 19

Islamism emphasises rule of ______ which is opposed to _____-

Answer 19

shar’ia / democracy x

Question 20

Muhammad negotiated treaties between the feuding tribes in Medinah- the ______ and the _______. Through the ___________, he brought together

Answer 20

Banu Aus and the Banu Khazraj
Constitution of Medinah
The Jewish tribes, pagan tribes, Muslims immigrants (mujatreens) and local converts (the Ansar) as one community.

Question 21

Shura? significance ?

Answer 21

Muhammad did consult with his people as to the tactics they would employ against the enemy e.g. the Battle of Badr against the Quraysh, Muhammad first consulted with the Medinah people as to whether they should advance or protect their homes.
However, for Muhammad, God’s revelations would always come first. (this is practice of a model state)

Question 22

muezzin? significance?

Answer 22

He appointed a black slave, Bilal, as his first muezzin (the man who gives the call to prayer) to show that he did not favour any race.

Question 23

Muhammad set up _____
Qur’anic quote support

Answer 23

Zakat tax.
‘All you spend of good is for your parents, close relatives, orphans and the needy’ Qur’an

Question 24

He forbade

Answer 24

riba (charging of interest)

Question 25

Muhammad was known for his honesty - he was accommodating to different tribes politically and this helped the economy grow, he was particularly successful in growing dates… Hadith?

Answer 25

“Medina is a sanctuary. Its trees should not be cut and no heresy should be made up nor any sin committed” Muhammad Hadith.

Question 26

Sira

Answer 26

Prophetic biography

Question 27

The Constitution of Medina

Answer 27

The Constitution of Medina, also known as the Charter of Medina, was a document created by the Prophet Muhammad.
Established a set of rules for governance
Specified the rights and responsibilities of the people of the book (ahl-al-kitab) and other religions
It also established a system for resolving disputes and provided for the defence of the city.
One of the earliest constitutions, inspired Muslims ever since

Question 28

Throughout time, muslims have looked to Muhammad’s society and create their own Islamic country ruled by a Caliph.
This movement is called the

Answer 28

Khalifah.

Question 29

The Dhimma contract

Answer 29

instated after Muhammad’s death - dhimmis (non muslims) were forbidden to
1. Build a house higher than a Muslims.
2. Ride a horse.
3. Hold a position of authority over the affairs of Muslims.
4. However they were allowed to worship but it must be low profile and they were not allowed religious symbolism. Muslims had to do the opposite and not place their religion in a place of inferiority.

Question 30

What does Baran think of the Khalifa movement

Answer 30

Baran, a Turkish Muslim has viewed the khalifa concept as very different to the constitution of Medinah.

Question 31

Scholarly view of the relationship between Muslims under Muhammad’s rule and jews

Answer 31

Dr Morrow “Muslims were bound to protect the Jews from their enemies. Likewise, Jews were bound to protect Muslims.’

Question 32

Akbar Ganji- An Iranian protestor who changed his mind from a supporter of religious government to support of a secular government.

Answer 32

‘There was no such thing as a state in the time of Muhammad.’ ‘Muhammad did not mix laws to do with religion with laws regarding the running of the country.’
T
herefore, there is no ideal state to follow, caliphs were elected by the people and medinah was governed by different tribes working together.

Question 33

Mmd was not very tolerant as a ruler actually - Hadith ‘A believer…’

Answer 33

“A believer is not to be killed for the killing of an unbeliever.”

Question 34

Mmd was not very tolerant as a ruler actually - Hadith about the jews

Answer 34

Muhammad said “Everyone who is born is born with a sound nature, it is his parents who make him a Jew…..”

Question 35

Muhammad defending the jews and christians Hadith

Answer 35

“He who wrongs a Jew or a Christian will have myself [the Prophet] as his indicter on the Day of Judgment.”