Progressive vs. Regressive Trends in Islam
Progressive vs. Regressive When Muhammad wrote the Koran, he achieved more than introducing the religion of Islam. His teachings brought huge changes to Arabia where there wasn't a considerable sense of morality. Before Islam, there was no morality in economics, women were seen as objects, and there was constant inter-tribal violence. Islam became a guide for the people that joined faith, politics, religion, and society. Unlike pre-Islamic Arabia, the Koran emphasized poor were important to society. Taking interest on loans was prohibited in the Koran because at the time, loans were meant to assist the poor when they needed it. Islam also requires that an annual portion of one's wealth be given to charity. It also allowed for competition and profit motive as long as there was fair play involved. It did not allow for taking advantage of one another. Islam allowed for economic equality and morality in a region that had not seen such thoughts before. Women possibly gained the most out of the changes brought on by Islam. Before, women were seen as objects more than as human beings. Just the birth of a daughter was viewed negatively. Women were married without consent, they were not included in inheritance, and infanticide was common. The biggest change for women might have been outlawing primogeniture and requiring that inheritance be shared by all heirs. Women were given the
Explain how the Muslim teachings affect Muslim attituds to equality
EXPLAIN HOW MUSLIM TEACHINGS AFFECT MUSLIM ATTITUDES TO EQUALITY In my second part of coursework, I intend to write about Muslim attitudes to equality with specific reference to prejudice and discrimination. I will explain the Islamic viewpoints of this intriguing subject. Islam teaches that all of the problems and restlessness which infest the contemporary age, prejudice and discrimination holds one of the greatest danger to world peace. The Holy Quran reminds not only Muslims but also all mankind: "O ye people! Fear your Lord, Who created you from a single soul and created there from its mate, and from the two spread many men and women; and fear Allah in Whose name you appeal to one another, and fear Him particularly respecting ties of relationship. Verily, Allah watches over you". Apparently, contemporary society seems to be moving on from prejudice and discrimination and is becoming more conscious of the horrors related to them. But if you examine the issue more carefully and in depth, you will realise that there is still signs of discrimination in our world. One major difficulty is the definition of 'racism'. It can appear different from various perspectives. It is difficult to draw hard and fast limits between racism consciousness of class or religious superiority, tribalism, fascism, imperialism and nationalism. The Islamic concept of equality is one
Islamic Studies Mosques
3. What Is The Role Of A Sunni Imam In The Mosque An imam is the leader of the mosque who is in charge of it; he generally looks after the mosque. The imam is exceedingly respected; he is supposed to have immense knowledge. He is usually selected by committee of a mosque as they look for someone who is straight, caring and has a good understanding on Islam. An imam should have a clear perceptive of the Quran and Islam and should be willing to help others, for this he would have the following qualities-respectful, kind, honest, truthfull, concerned, patient, responsible, and devoted. He should also be sane, knowledgeable and trustworthy, an example worth following. The imam is selected by the Ummah of the community, they select the best person in terms of responsibility and knowledge. Also the imam fulfils the uses of the Mosque, reflects the uses. The imam should be aware of worldly issues and should comprehend the language in which people around him fluently speak, and also be familiar with the culture and customs of the individuals he is dealing with. Imams have numerous roles they lead the five prayers and the (Friday prayer, funeral prayer, tarawih and eid prayers).An imam in a house could be anyone, but it has to be a male to lead the prayer in jamaat. Also an imam advises, teaches, preaches to non Muslim, reads (marriage ceremony), provides references, and tackles
Should Euthanasia be made legal in the UK.
Essay on euthanasia "Should Euthanasia be made legal in the UK". The subject of Euthanasia has traditionally been a hotly debated topic. Some believe that Euthanasia should not be allowed as, from a religious viewpoint, only God has the right to take one's life. Others say that a person can do whatever they want with their life. In this essay I will consider whether Euthanasia should be legalised in the UK and it will consider religious arguments to decide my conclusion. Euthanasia is based on the Greek terms eu-thanatos (a good or happy death). Euthanasia is described by the Oxford Dictionary as the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable disease or in an irreversible coma. There are two types of Euthanasia. There is active euthanasia and passive euthanasia. Active euthanasia is when a medical professional or someone else deliberately does an action which causes the patient to die. For example when someone gives the patient a lethal injection. The other type of euthanasia is passive. This is brought about by an omission and this is when someone lets a person die. This can be done by either withdrawing or withholding a treatment. Withdrawing treatment is when someone removes a feeding tube or switches off a life machine which is keeping the patient alive. Withdrawing treatment is when someone doesn't do a surgery which may prolong the life of the patient.
Explain how Muslim teachings affect Muslim attitudes to wealth and poverty
A02 - Explain how Muslim teachings affect Muslim attitudes to wealth and poverty 'The believers are those who believe in God and his Messenger and then do not doubt, but exert every effort with their wealth and their persons in the cause of God. They are the truthful ones.'(Qur'an 49:16) The Qur'an states that all possessions on Earth belong to God. As a result, Muslims are obliged to spend their wealth according to the Allah, as Qur'an 49:16 demonstrates. Muslim attitudes towards the poor and wealthy is that everyone is equal under God, and therefore they should all be treated the same. Wealth is entrusted to mankind by Allah, therefore one must spend it moderately and share it with others. Those spending extravagantly on idle things are not favoured by Allah: 'O believers! Make not unlawful the good things that Allah has made lawful for you. But commit no excess, for Allah does not love those given to excess.' (Qur'an 5:38) Muslims have a positive attitude towards the poor, because as the Hadith states, 'Richness does not lie in abundance of worldly goods, but true richness is the richness of the soul.'. Not only do Muslims not despise those living in poverty, they treat them with care and love. Poverty is not necessarily a punishment. It is a test for one's patience, to see whether one can resist the temptation of earning money through illegal means and live an honest
It is difficult for Muslims to practise their religion in Britain today Do you agree?
"It is difficult for Muslims to practise their religion in Britain today" Do you agree? There are certainly difficulties for Muslims to practise their religion in Britain today. Islamic culture is very different from the Western culture we live under, making it hard for Muslims to fit into the British society. Some Muslims might find it easy to practise their religion in areas with a significant Muslim population, whilst others find it extremely difficult with very few Muslims living nearby. The degree of difficulty is also affected by personnal attitudes, whether a Muslim mind looking 'different' from everyone else in a community. Despite the effort of the Muslim communities to make themselves known and understood by the general public, many people in Britain nowadays are still prejudiced against Muslims due to a lack of understanding as Muslims are often associated with terrorist attacks and crimes in reports from the media. It is very difficult for a Muslim to persist on their practise among non-Muslims, especially for young Muslims. Muslims believe that women should be moderately dressed in public. However, in many British schools, wearing a short skirt is a compulsory part of uniform for girls. The fixed school routine would make fitting in extra time for prayer difficult. Furthermore, many schools do not allow Muslims to miss lessons to go to the mosque during Friday
islam and ramadan
RE coursework: Islam A) Describe what happens at the fast of Ramadan. In the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast for thirty days and nights. The word fast means, to stay away from eating and drinking. Muslims are also excluded from indulging in pleasures, sexual activity, thinking evil thoughts and doing something sinful. Ramadan starts on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims will know when to start fasting; they may hear it on the TV, radio, from the mosque or from an Islamic calendar. Ramadan may take place in the summer or winter. In Britain, summer days may not be hot but they may be long, this makes it harder to fast. Muslims fast in the month of Ramadan because it is one of the pillars of Islam. All Muslims will have to fast from the age of ten. Children should not be encouraged to fast and should not be forced to complete the fast up to sunset, if they are unable to bear the hunger or thirst. In the Qur'an it says that Muslims who believe in Allah, the angels, the prophets and the Day of Judgement will fast in the month of Ramadan. In the Qur'an it says, "O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you..."(2:183) and "...whoever witnesses the month of Ramadan should fast through it..." (2:185) Muslims will read the Qur'an and pray five times a day. Things that do not break the fast are, to eat or drink something unintentionally, a mosquito, fly or any
Islam Family Life coursework
Religious Education - Islam Coursework i) What does Islam teach about the family? Family in Islam is very important and crucial for Muslims. The Qur'an itself have guidelines for family life, how that no child should hurt or disrespect their parents. The reason for this is, your parents have cared and love for you since the day you was born, and looked after you when you got ill and so on. Family life in Islam is very tight compared to western families, where their children is allowed to go out and do whatever they please, to sleep with whoever they want, which results in broken families, children born outside marriage, and elderly parents who are not looked after and forgotten in elderly homes, hospitals as such.. This is why, as your parents get older and less able; they will need their children's support, just as when they were babies they needed their parents. Ways the children help is to live with them and help them out financially also. This continues until the parent's death. However the parents do expect this to happen, and expect their children to obey them, because for what they have done for them all their life, which is why Muslim families are so tightly bonded with each other. Children are expected to treat their elders, and parents with high respect: * They should listen when they speak * Not to walk in front of them * Not to sit down before they do * Do
The Islamic concept of God makes no sense
The Islamic concept of God makes no sense A Muslim would strongly disagree with the statement. This is because they are monotheists. They central monotheistic belief in Islam is Tawhid which suggests that that Allah is strictly one being that is indivisible, simple and non-composite. Allah is an entirely transcendent being that is completely beyond and separate from the universe. Allah is like nothing in the universe and so should not be described using images and descriptions from this world. To do this would commit the greatest sin in Islam, it is called shirk. That is associating Allah with human terms and materials from this world. Allah can be described using the 99 names, however some of the names are like human words. By this Muslims do not believe that humans were no made in Allah's image. Some Muslims believe that Allah is more mystical. Allah cannot be described anthropomorphically like other deities. A metaphysical term that would describe how Allah is radically different to the universe is substance dualism. As a Christian I also probably agree because from a Christian point of view God consists of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, all together as one. Also that that human beings are made in God's image something Muslims would disagree with. Jesus is the son of God and that God is love. God is our father but Muslims would disagree to saying Allah is their
Islamiyat Notes. Major teaching in the hadiths of the Prophet
Islamiyat Major teaching in the hadiths of the Prophet Hadith 5: Belief We come to know from this hadith that charity is an obligation on every believer. It teaches us that it is not confined to spending wealth. Rather every act of piety is regarded as charity. It further explains that charity is an act of showing concern for others and helping them by all means. It is one of the fundamental principles of Islam. Action Muslims today should perform all their actions with the intention of benefitting others. They should also fulfill the rights of Allah by performing religious obligations. In social life, they should play a positive role by helping others and by settling their disputes. Prophet(S) was king and helpful even to his enemies. He helped and served the only woman who pelted him with rubbish. He said, "The best amongst the people is the one who is a source of benefit for the people." Muslims must understand that they should not ignore even the smallest deeds of righteousness. Hadith 6: Belief We learn from this about our obligation to eradicate evil by all means physical and verbal. It teaches us not only to abstain from evil but also to prevent others from unrighteous deeds. We come to know that it is unworthy of a believer to ignore any evil practice in his presence. Action Muslims today should be aware of their duty to enjoin upon good and forbid evil.