islam Midterm

Question 1

Islam/Islamic/Islamicist/Islamist/Muslim

Answer 1

Islam-the religion of the Qur’an, “submission”

Islamic- of islam

Islamicist-an academic scholar on Islam

Islamist- someone who believe government should adhere to the values of Islam

Muslim- one who submits, or someone who practices Islam

Question 2

Orientalism

Answer 2

The academic study of the Middle East, The discourse of power around the Orient, and the Mode of thought that establishes a dichotomy between the Occident and Orient (West and East

Question 3

Identify one major predicted change in the population of Muslims in the US and two predicted major changes of populations of Muslims in the world that are expected to occur during your lifetime

Answer 3

US: the population of people who identify as Muslim will overtake the # of people who identify as Jewish in the country

World: (1) Muslims will go from 23.2 to 29.7 percent of the world’s population (2) the # of Muslims will nearly equal the # of Christians in the world

Question 4

Identify three+ motivations for Europe and North America seeking to study Islam and the Muslim World

-What assumptions did many 18th and 19th century Orientalists make regarding Islam and the Muslim world?

• Identify at least three criticisms against Orientalist scholarship of Islam and the Muslim world

-To what extent is Orientalist scholarship still relvant to us today/still influencing the world we live in?

Answer 4

a) Admiration for Islam, “civilizing” Muslim colonial subjects, monetary gain, and “proving” Islam’s inferiority
b)Muslims were “backwards”, women had very few rights, the Muslim world was bruta, and the East is “weak and static
c)Orientalist scholarship often serves Western, more specifically imperialist interests, and it it is too focused on texts
d)orientalist scholarship indirectly has influenced America’s conflicts in the Middle East, Islamophobia, and Muslim depictions in media; though, scholarly orientalism does not really exist anymore

Question 5

Semites/Semitic

Answer 5

Related to the Semitic language family; Hebrew, Aramaic, Syriac, ancient Akkadian and Assyrian

Question 6

Bedouin

Answer 6

Arabs who moved around a lot in herds and were often animal herders themselves

Question 7

Arabs

Answer 7

-SPlit into two groups more or less: people who originate from Abraham or someone further down the line, or people who have lineage from Saudi Arabia
- people who speak Arabic
- South Arabs are biblical forebearers and centered in yemen

Question 8

al-Jahiliya

Answer 8

The Ignorance; pre-Islamic period of Arabia, generally regarded as backwards and primitive

Question 9

Describe the geography of the Arabian peninsula and the pre-Islamic Arabian economy. What were their major sources of livelihood(three)

Answer 9

• The Arabian Peninsula is a very desert-like place with very hot days and cold nights, with largely populated areas being centered around oases
• The major sources of livelihood were sheepherding, raising camels, selling crops, trading spices, mercenary work, providing transportation and protection to caravans

Question 10

Ka’ba

Answer 10

Large black box in Mecca, previously the holder of all the pre-Islamic Arabian deities, 360+ of them, in fact, was and is the center of religious activity in the Arabian peninsula, its just that ownership of it and the gatekeepers of the hjira to it are now Muslims, rather than pre-Islamic polytheists

Question 11

Describe the society and culture of the pre-Islamic pagan Arabs: how was their society structured? (b) who held political power? (c) what were their values? List and briefly explain six

Answer 11

a) clans–>hay–>family
b)shaykhs/chieftains had a lot of power, with an elder being over them
c) 1. courage in the face of danger, loyalty to clan and family, generosity(as a show of wealth and capability), retribution, female genital mutilation, manliness, and exploitation of orphans

Question 12

Five religions that had significant numbers of Adherents in the Arabian Peninsula around the time of the Prophet’s birth

Answer 12

Christianity, Judaism, polytheism, Zoroastrianism, Abrahamic monotheism

Question 13

Describe the practices and religious beliefs of pre-Islamic Arab

Answer 13

They had their own pantheon of gods, with over 360 of them, but there was not equal importance and reverence of each god. In fact, some clans would have their own gods to worship, based on the favors done for them. They revered these gods through sacrifice and prayers to not objects, but the objects were seen as conduits. With pre-Islamic Arab polytheists, there was still pilgrimage to the Ka’ba in Mecca, as at that time, the Ka’ba held all 360 of their gods

Question 14

Muhammad

Answer 14

Last prophet of God, lived from 570 to 632 AD, was raised by his uncle in Quraysh-dominated Medina. Spent much of his early life there, where he met his first wife, Aisha, receiving his first of many prophetic visions, not too long after his marriage, the first of many. He is generally considered by Muslims to be the perfect human and an example for them to follow

Question 15

Quraysh-

Answer 15

the polytheistic clan that ruled over Mecca, essentially, with an extremely strong economic, social, and religious grip on the city. Very antagonistic to Muhammad and the traction that him and Islam were receiving from Meccans, would eventually lose control of Mecca in 630, as the Prophet muhammad is sixty, atp

Question 16

Ali

Answer 16

Muhammad’s youngest cousin; lived from 601 to 661, converts to Islam at age 10, in 611, the first boy to convert to Islam; becomes a Caliph, eventually

Question 17

Yathrib/Medina

Answer 17

The city that Muhammad flees too during the Hijira, in 622, where the Prophet builds a central mosque, enacting peace between warring clans and religious groups in the cities,through a onsitution, established in 622-623

Question 18

Night Journey/Ascension

Answer 18

This happens in 620/621, whilst Muhammad is still in Mecca. At night, Muhamma experiences a series of psycho-spiritual where he sees Abraham, Moses, Gabriel, and Jesus, receiving the five prayers of Islam during said experiences, as well as the Muslim prohibition on pork and alcohol, all in Jerusalem. The Ascension is essentially wheree Muhammad asks Gabriel to show him both heaven and hell

Question 19

Hijra

Answer 19

622- Muhammad is barraged by boycotts, persecution, arrests and violence against believers and in the aftermath of the boycott being Kadija dying, he decides to pack his bag up with the reemaining Muslims, so he ends up sneaking out into the night to take a journey to Yathrib, which would soon become Medina;Year one of Islamic calendar

Question 20

What were the main messages/themes of Muhammad’s early preaching and the Qur’an

Answer 20

1) Don’t worship idols
2) Trust God and hold him dear
3) there is only one God and he is only One

Question 21

Why did many members of Muhammad’s tribe convert

Answer 21

They found Muhammad to be trustworthy, Arab society was spiraling, at this time, people were compelled by the teachings, the community attached to being a Muslim was an attractive proposition, the Qur’an’s language moved them, and they had dreams that prompted them to convert

Question 22

Why did the Quraysh find Muhammad’s preaching problematic?

Answer 22

1.) social threat- he’s challenging many values and customs in Quraysh society 2.) Political threat- he’s amassing a following of people who are loyal to him 3.) Economic threat 4.) Religious threat- he’s calling their religion of polytheism sinful; calling people to stop worshipping idols/multiple Gods

Question 23

How did the Quraysh respond to Muhammad’s preaching?

Answer 23

1.) stoning believers in the street 2.) persecution 3.) an economic boycott 4.) torture of slaves 5.) verbal harassment 6.) Imprisoning Muhammad

Question 24

Qibla

Answer 24

The direction of prayer; in the Muslim instance, towards the Mecca, literally translates to “the West”

Question 25

Constitution of Medina

Answer 25

Established in 622 or 623, established between Muslim tribes of Quraysh and Yathrib, and Medinian Jews, also called the Umma document; Provisions: Muslims were to not attack each other, each religious group would come to the other’s defense if one is attacked, separate religions have their own jurisdiction within their group, the Prophet has power to declare war(also the arbiter of dispute), prohibition on murder and theft, and finally, freedom of religion

Question 26

Battle of Badr

Answer 26

Takes place when the prophet is 52- The Quraysh try to evict the Muslims from Mecca, so the Muslims respond, being outnumbered 3-1, essentially, but they still won; the exact reason why they won, in spite of these nearly impossible odds, is something that is very debated, still

Question 27

Identify at least four new developments in rituals or religious legislations (obligations and prohibitions)

Answer 27

1.) No pork or alcohol 2.) Hajj to Mecca 3.) five daily prayers 4.) Five Pillars of Islam (5.) Zakat- percentage of wealth given (6.) Ramadan

Question 28

Aisha

Answer 28

Last wife of Muhammad(add more);Abu Bakr’s daughter; Keeper of many of the Prophet’s stories

Question 29

Treaty of Hudabiyya

Answer 29

Signed in 628, at this point, the Prophet is 58, sixth year since the hijra; the Prophet decided to head out to Medina with hijra garb on, unarmed, with accompaniment. In response, the Quraysh sent a calvary to intercept them and as a result, the Prophet camped out in a place called Hudaybiya, after some negotiations, the Meccans concluded Muhammad came in peace, establishing a treaty between the two sides; this treaty worked in the favor of the Muslims, allowing tribespreviously forbidden from entering Medina to now enter.
- as a result, delegates went to speak to rulers of Rome, Egypt, and Sassanid Persia, to encourage them to ponder Islam

Question 30

Conquest of Mecca

Answer 30

Takes place in 630, when the Prophet is, like 60. This occurs because a Quraysh affiliated tribe broke the Pact of Medina, causing Muhammad and his army to the Quraysh’s gates; the Quraysh army is outnumbered, so they end up surrendering and Mecca is now the Muslims. The first thing that Muhammad did was smashing the idols of the Ka’ba, but didn’t force anyone to convert to Islam

Question 31

Four major impacts to Arabian society of Muhammad’s life and mission

Answer 31

1.) there was a huge sweeping away of henotheism and corruption
2.) many old Arab rites were Islamified
3.) the hajj to Mecca was converted into something Islamic
4.) Muhammad created a unified Muslim community
5.)There was now a system of law grounded in the Qur’an and Muslim teachings
6.) now, society was (ideally) more focused on equal status based on a shared faith, rather than a status acquired by birth
7.) Many old Arab rites and rituals were Islamified

Question 32

Sunna

Answer 32

Literally translates to “way” or tradition; the exemplary words, deeds and gestures that were determined to be authoritative in the life of the Ummad: designed to be both an idea and a memory

Question 33

Mawlid

Answer 33

A communal practice, rooted in early Islamic tradition; celebrates the birthday, and often the life of the Prophet Muhammad; is often held for any occassion that requires celebration; involves the sharing of food and reciting of the Burda;commences with the story of the recitation of the Prophet’s birth; Some Islamic leaders do not like it, as it is not prescribed by neither the Qur’an or Hadith; places a heavy emphasis on the story and life of Amina, as well as invoking the concept of the Light of Muhammad; begins in the 6th century

Question 34

The Burda

Answer 34

Literally translating to mantle, a long poem created by Berber al-Busuri, in the 14th century; tells a tale of an ailing man who, in a dream, saw the Prophet Muhammad and in said dream, the Prophet cured him of his disease-induced blindness; is technically the world’s most sung song

Question 35

Three+ reasons why Muhammad is important for Muslims

Answer 35

1.) ultimate model for humans, in terms of actions and character 2.) Brought the word of God to Muslims/founder of Islam3.) he intercedes for Mankind on the Day of Judgement (asking God to forgive us and grant us paradise)

Question 36

How do Muslims today remember/celebrate him? List at least three ways

1.

Answer 36

1. Poetry
2. Emulation
3. Following verbal utterances and bodily postures
4. Loving him more than they do their family and child

Question 37

Sira

Answer 37

Literally meaning “life” or “journey; one’s biography or journey from life to death, encompassing their entire existence

Question 38

Sunna

Answer 38

The prophet’s “custom”; words, deeeds, habitual practice; Category of exemplary words, deeds and gestures that were determined to be authoritative in the life of the Umm

Question 39

Hadith

A repo

Answer 39

A report of something that happened in the life of Muhammad or somethinghe said, did, or tacitly approved of; some Muslims follow and observe these very closely, and others don’t

Question 40

matn

Answer 40

“main part” of a hadith, the text contained within;not typically taken into consideration in the realm of hadith criticism

Question 41

I

Isnad

Answer 41

Chain of transmission of a hadith; main component necessary for hadith criticism and authenticated/prime means of defending hadiths;literally translates to “prop: and “support

Question 42

Five common motivations for people to forge hadithss

Answer 42

To corroborate political and sectarian conflicts, racism and other chauvinisms, to entertain, to encourage good deeds, to deepen faith in God to believers, for money, to promote civic pride

Question 43

When did a mature system of hadith emerge? How did it work?

Answer 43

A mature system emerged around the mid-to-late 8th century; The criteria they used to verify was demanding an isnad, evaluating transmitters for moral uprightness, overall reliability as narrators, verifying that two transmitters actually met, and the use of corroboration from an intentional transmission of hadith

Question 44

Four primary classifications of hadith

Answer 44

1. sound-Sahih 2. Hasan/good 3. Da’if/weak 4.Mawdu- forged

Question 45

Requirements for each classification

Answer 45

1. Sound isnad, morally upright transmitters, reliable corroboration,two transmitters actually met, and a good memory and notetaking skills
   2.An average narrator with no corroboration
   3.Missing a narrator/branch in the isnad
   4.Clearly contradicted by sound hadiths and if the person confesses the hadith is forged

Question 46

What role did the matn play in Muslim methods of hadith crit?

Answer 46

Matn didn’t play too big of a role in the criticism of hadith ; Hadiths critic didn’t want to assume the role of someone who would know more than the Prophet Muhammad; THOUGH, when the Matn of a hadith sounded far-fetched, that would be motivation to check the Isnad of the Hadith

Question 47

Origins, assumptions, and methods of the Historical Critical Method?

Answer 47

Origins: from Italian and French Rennaissance scholars, originated from European Rennaissance and Enlightenment thinking. Used to the study the past (Greece+Rome+Bible)
Assumptions:

*Sacred texts get modified and may not accurately affect what actually happened

• All people are likely to lie

Methods: takin g biases into consideration, questioning a text and determining it svalidity, combining presumed doubt in the integrity of texts with motern critiques, paying attention to anachronishm, and the tendency to get sources with varying biases

Question 48

What are the main problems with the traditional Muslim biography(sira) of Muhammad for academic historians?

Answer 48

There is not a single accord of who Muhammad was, not all methods used by hadith critics line up with the HCM, and the Sira is a sacred history that relies on faith claims and not modern historical methods

Question 49

What evidence have revisionist historians cited towards their approach to the revisionist biography of Muhammads, and what conclusions have they drawn?

Answer 49

Juynboll- we have all of these hadiths going through someone named Nafi, but Nafi isn’t found in a book of hadith transmitters, so maybe he never existed

Steven Shoemaker- The Qur’an knows a lot about Christianity practiced in Palestine, so maybe the Prophet lived in Palestine

Nevo- found an early papyrus document that didn’t mention Muhammad’s name -» maybe this means that he wasn’t important

Question 50

3 counter-argument non-revisions historians offered?

Answer 50

The Muslim community spread very quickly in the 80 years after Muhammad died, too fast for a huge narrative to be agreed on

• Muslims fought way too much to agree on anything

There is essentially only one biography of Muhammad

After 692, Muhammad’s name appears regularly in Umayyad coins and monumental inscriptions

The Qur’an has no traces of civil war or sectarian propagands

Multiple physical pieces fo evidence document P.M’s birth

Question 51

Qur’an

Answer 51

The Muslim holy book; translates to “recitation”; a book written for people who have considered at least the possibility that Muhammad is God’s messenger; is a visual experience

Question 52

Sunnah

Answer 52

Literally translates to “row” or “fence”; chapters of the Qur’an, most were communicated to the Prophet as complete units; the longest chapters were @ the beginning, the shortest were at the end;114 independent Sunnahs

Question 53

Aya

Answer 53

Translates to “clear sign”, “verse”, and “indication, sign as in one that points to God; 6,236 verses or Aya in the Qur’an

Question 54

Discuss the subdivisions and orders of the Qur’an

Answer 54

Surah=Chapter(114 of them)
Aya=Verse (about 6000 of them)

Order generally from longest to shortest sura

Question 55

Bukhari

Answer 55

Famous collector of hadith, lives in the 9th century; from modern day Uzbekistan; Made the largest authoritative collection of hadiths for Sunni Muslims and picked the most sound and reliable hadiths; WHy: put together the famous hadith collection; He picked about 2600 out of 600,000 hadith he knew

Question 56

Uthman

Answer 56

Third caliph, from 644-656, ensured that the Qur’an would be finalized, employed Zayd b. Thabt, having all other versions of the Qur’an destroyed;lived in Mecca; important because he creates a unified version of the Qur’an

Question 57

Provide three lines of evidence towards how confident of how far back we can trace that the text of the Qur’an existed,

Answer 57

Most scholars today agree that the text is at least originated from the 7th century

1.) Manuscripts
2.)Old Qur’ans preserve archaic words and grammar
3.) We don’t have evidence of later theological debates being inserted into the Qur’an