Islamic Community Flashcards
Week 1-4 (22 cards)
Define community/settlement
Association in which families and individuals come together to secure certain common goods and realise certain shared goals.
Define Madinah
A form of settlement/community consisting of over 200 households in which religion is concretely realised.
Three areas of practical wisdom that are integral to human communal flourishing?
Islal An-Nas - rectification of the self.
Tadbeer Al-Manzil - Household Management
Siyaasa - Government/management of city.
Why is Sharia important within islamic communities?
It comprises beliefs, laws and social institutions. These core institutions form social order that allow islamic communities to be realised.
How does the nature of man require him to settle in dense settlements
Man is social by nature, as madinah is the central form of settlement. In order to preserve islamic traditions, and part of our islamic obligation is to provide common good necessary for the functioning of a city. Hence settling in dense settlements alonside other muslims is rationally concludable.
Metaphysics of social dependancy of man
Mutual dependency and individual differences between humans that are only apart of divine wisdom.
How are the three forms of practical wisdom related to eachother?
Islaah An-Nafs is foundational to the other two. Happiness of the household was seen as directly connected to the level of virtue individuals attained. Knowledge of good household + political management was also essential.
Define settlement
practice of establishing communtiy and residing in a particular space.
What Dar-al-Islam
The abode of islam, land that is owned by muslims and sovereignty/autonomy is for the muslims. Sharia’a principles can be realised.
What is dar-al-kufr
The abode of Kufr, place in which non muslims had soverignty and implemented non islamic law.
What is the opinion on living in dar al islam and dar al kufr
In maliki school, obligatory to live in dar al islam, due to moral corruption in dar al kufr. In other schools living in dar al kufr was allowed if rituals could be practiced.
Different froms of settlement
Impermanent settlement ie: Nomad.
Permanent settlement - sparely settled areas Hillah + Village Qaryah 40-50 households.
What was the benefit of Madinahs
City find concentration of most institution that are required for human flourishing. There are newly founded (Kufah) or transformed (Damascus)
What was the leadership like in Madinahs
Individuals in different madinahs and settlements form the Ummah. Ummah is led by a single Khalifah. Solidarity was based on islam. In each city belonged Jama’a of scholars and imams.
What are some challenges of a Madinah
Materialism is vast. However if tradition and virtue are preserved and cultivated with right insittutions then the degree where material excesses were valued was avoided.
What role does Sharia’a have in Madinah
Must have authority and be practiced. Ultimate aim is preparing man for his meeting with God. Not just laws, but institutions that underpin these laws.
Define Culture
Custom refers to practices that have been embraced and adhered to by a local population which serve their interests.
What is the origin of culture
Civil society: pracitces developed overtime within a local lay population
Political authorities: introduced by governing authority such as practices regarding admin and bureaucracy.
Define Khass and Aamm
Khass - Practices within particular sub groups like occupational + neighborhood
Aaamm - Practices particular to a madinah or wider region.
Culture and the sharia with the Madinah
communal life is generated through fusion of sharia with local culture. Culture plays a big role in distinguishing between the madinahs. It protects the individuality, identity and interests of a place.
What is fardh Kifaaiiiy
Establishing and maintaining those common goods that were necessary for the good functioning of a city. Ensuring that all people find their needs addressed.
