Discuss the role of the prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) in Islam. Consider in relation to the way the prophet was understood by his contemporaries and in modern society.
RL3028 ISLAM COMPONENT 2 Discuss the role of the prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) in Islam. Consider in relation to the way the prophet was understood by his contemporaries and in modern society. The scope of this question is extremely wide ranging owing to the complexities of including the various views of the prophet both within Islam as well as outside. It is not the case that one view predominates within Islam regarding the prophet and other matters, there are the three main denominations of Sunni, Shia and Sufi who each differ some times significantly between further sub divisions or according to which school of jurisprudence a community follows. Views from outside the faith of Islam are also wide ranging, some understand the prophet in relation to the economical and social context of the time such as Rodinson and Watt. I will be drawing out some of their ideas in this regard as to understand the prophet it is necessary to understand the surrounding factors at that time as well as the various views that have been formed either during the prophets lifetime and after his death. My essay will not endorse one view of the prophet as definitive and neither will it offer an alternative view of the prophet but it will seek to give the reader a sound grasp of the problems faced when trying to understand the irreconcilable differences that have evolved since the prophets lifetime.
Observations Tell All.
Observations Tell All By Courtney Wallace Ibn Battuta started his journey as a pilgrimage to Mecca at the age of twenty in 1325. His pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the five pillars of faith that all first-rate Muslims follow. However, his traveling went on for about 29 years and he covered about 75,000 miles visiting the 44 modern countries which were then mostly under the governments of Muslim leaders of the World of Islam, or "Dar al-Islam." He was able to see how different countries operated and the different ways that people in them lived. He observed slavery, religious tension and different beliefs as to the treatment of women, and throughout the many different countries. Ibn Battuta mentions slavery many different times throughout the book. He was given slaves in Turkey as gifts and he bought slaves in many other countries. He talks about how slaves were taken from Steppe, they would be children and common folk taken from Steppe and the would be taken and sold in slave markets in Cairo, they would be taken to sugar plantations in Cyprus and the would be sold to rich households in Italy. [Dunn, pp. 163 - 164] Slaves were often used as trading property or a form of gift giving, When he went to China a Muslim he had met years before in India was now rich. He owned about fifty white slaves and as many slave-girls, and presented him with two of each, along with many other
Book report: Isaiah a major prophet
BOOK REPORT: ISAIAH A MAJOR PROPHET PA-105 INTRODUCTION TO OLD TESTAMENT AND MINISTRY BOOK REPORT 4 MARK WILSON 30th SEPTEMBER 2000 Book Report 4. The Book of Isaiah Name: Mark Wilson. Introduction. The name Isaiah means, "Yahweh is salvation." His name and the names of his sons-Shear-Jashub ("a remnant will return") and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz ("the booty shall very quickly be taken")-were symbolic to the nation (8:18). These three names capture the essence of the book: (1) Yahweh is the source of salvation; (2) Yahweh will spare a remnant for himself; and (3) Yahweh's judgment is certain to come, (Elwell 1989: CDROM). Isaiah was a Biblical prophet who lived in the land of Judah c. 740 - 681 BC. Prophets such as Isaiah were said to have a special message from God. The message Isaiah was delivering mainly concerned the rebellious nature of God's chosen people Israel, as recorded in the Old Testament book of Isaiah (Andrea 1994:81). Author. Critical commentaries on Isaiah divide the material into three major divisions: chapters 1-39 are thought to have come from the eighth-century prophet Isaiah; chapters 40-55 from a sixth-century prophet known as the Deutero (Second) Isaiah; chapters 56-66 from a fifth-century source known as Trito (Third) Isaiah, (Elwell 1989: CDROM). Another theory suggests a combination of the writings of Isaiah and "Second" Isaiah, a man who
The real Jihad!
The Real Jihad! Samuel Huntington is right! This is a clash of civilizations! Whether we like it or not, misconceived American policy and the ignorant despotism in the Islamic world is going to lead us to a holocaust! Indeed given the civilian death toll in this new world of sanctions and video-game like aerial bombardments, we are witnessing the holocaust of the 21st century. The unthinkable-- a dramatic escalation of the conflict-- has happened. Skyscrapers have been felled, possible bio-warfare may have started, while an angry US refusing to suffer any casualties is conducting a distant aerial warfare, killing innocent civilians. This approach will only provoke more Muslim fears and retaliations. In the eighties and the nineties, Hollywood portrayed Muslim fundamentalists as arch-terrorists who would bring the world to the brink of disaster. We, moderate Muslims would nervously laugh at these caricatures but the discomfort around us was gradually increasing. Hollywood has been proven right and room for moderation is now eroded further with even pilots and airline passengers reacting only to appearances. A colored appearance is enough for you to be regarded with suspicion. This used to be known as racism. But we are now all reduced to our primordial levels. Thus it is with utmost despair that I accept Huntington's thesis, "it is a clash of civilizations!"
“Some Westerners think that Muslim Women do not receive equal treatment with men. In fact, the aim of Islam is quite the opposite”. Discuss in the context of a multicultural society.
Women through the Islamic viewpoint "Some Westerners think that Muslim Women do not receive equal treatment with men. In fact, the aim of Islam is quite the opposite". Discuss in the context of a multicultural society. The West generally views itself as the source for women's liberation, and Feminists seem to feel dutified to extend their newly found rights to the oppressed Eastern Woman. The inability to see beyond the superficial symbols of freedom (like the removal of the veil for instance) has resulted in the misunderstanding of the status of women in Islam and hence the incorrect portrayal of it in the media. Yet it seems ironic to me that the first women's liberation movement is now being dubbed "sexist". The Islamic view towards life and not only women was revolutionary at it's time of introduction and continues to be a challenge to Western style female freedom to this very day. We cannot escape the fact that sexism, like racism is deeply rooted in humanity and that despite all their efforts, politicians and social scientists have failed in bringing about a society that regards men and women as equals. In Britain, a recent study showed that women are being paid less for work of the same value as men. Employers are more likely to employ a male, rather than a female applicant with the same qualifications, and there is a minor female representation in the British
Democracy and Islam - many scholars strongly believe that there is a direct coalition between Islam and democracy. This is evident when examining the concepts of social rights and equality, economics, divine sovereignty and shura law.
Introduction There is great discussion over the compatibility of Islam and democracy. In order to evaluate this association it is vital that an in depth examination of the aspects that abide by and contradict this notion of compatibility in terms of the Islam message, law, and the way in which these aspects utilized in modern Islamic. Compatibility Throughout the Islamic messages and laws, the main principles of democracy are evident. For this reason many scholars strongly believe that there is a direct coalition between Islam and democracy. This is evident when examining the concepts of social rights and equality, economics, divine sovereignty and shura law. Social Rights and Obligations Caliphate, as it is often referred to, is essentially the principle of Islamic financial theory, which explains a living wage must be distributed to every citizen without discrimination of race, religion, caste of creed (Khatab and Bouma 2007). In addition, Islam explains that there is to be no exploiting, no exploited class or slums and millionaires. Inheritance and the operation of the taxation system, due to the property laws in conjunction with prohibition of bank interests and division of wealth, led to the establishment of a more rational system. The teaching of wealth management in Islam is based on humanitarian ethics as the Qur'an explains that the road to salvation is not
Islamic Law. These four schools are known as Hanafi, Maliki, Shafii and Hanbali and a closer look at them is essential to fully comprehend the Sunni faith. Finally, Ijma or the consensus of the community is very important to further
ISLAMIC LAW NMC 201 Rabea Amin March 13, 2007 Islamic Law In order for our society to work efficiently and ensure that there's structure we need a set of rules to make certain that there's peace and harmony and that everything works accordingly. As if there were no rules or regulations our society would just disintegrate and everything would be in chaos. This is because our mind frames are so vulnerable to turmoil that we humans seek any opportunity to cause mischief, but with rules most of us remain in our boundaries and try to do our best. Religion is not much different from this as for a religion to survive and flourish the followers need a set of rules that guide them in matters. Therefore, to convey these ideas to the followers most religions have scriptures that guide humans and teach them how to live their life efficiently. Amongst these religions is Islam. Islam is one of the monotheistic religions which has a large number of followers around the world. This religion was revealed to the Arabs by the messenger Prophet Muhammad which Muslims believe to be the last Prophet. Prophet Muhammad set the foundations for Islam and was highly regarded by all. After the death of the Prophet, there was a lot of dispute amongst the Muslims regarding the matter of succeeding the Prophet and leading the Ummah. Eventually Abu Bakr became the first caliph but there were some people
Islam in Afghanistan
Belief Systems; Islam in Afghanistan. Islam traditionally is said to have begun when the prophet Mohammed received a visit in Mount Nur during the Ramadan, from the angel Gabriel who recited the in Qur'an. The message given to Muhammad slowly spread among the people of Mecca. Years after, Mohammed was told by Allah to spread his message and condemn paganism and idolatry which was prominent in Mecca. However Mohammed was rejected and forced to leave the city. The Islamic conquest of Afghanistan occurred later in the 7th century when Muslim Arabs took control of Persian territories and headed to the East Afghan region. This area was rich in different cultures and religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism ect. After this area was conquered by the Muslim Arabs they spread the faith of Islam to the area. Mohammed later established himself as religious, political, and military leader and with his guidance the community became more prominent. Many tribes and areas were "converted" under duress with threats of war and conquest. When Muhammad returned to Mecca, where he was previously extradited, he had gained such support over the years that no resistance was offered. Muhammad's forces destroyed the idols of Mecca, declaring the Kabah to be a place of worship for Allah. When Muhammad's died, Islam continued to expand under the leadership of Muhammad's successors such as
"The essence of knowledge is, having it, to apply it; not having it to confess your ignorance"-Confucius.* How do I know what I know? And why should anyone believe me?
"The essence of knowledge is, having it, to apply it; not having it to confess your ignorance"-Confucius.* How do I know what I know? And why should anyone believe me? These are the 2 questions I will attempt to clarify in my essay. Knowledge in its most basic form would be what helps me to make it to the next day. I know that when I wake up in the morning the ground will be there, unless some catastrophe occurs and land as we know ceases to exist. To know that when I wake in the morning I won't have to gasp for air is knowledge, this knowledge helps me survive and surviving in this world to me is a great accomplishment. A lot of us derive our knowledge from the daily newspaper, it is the best source to derive information and until they can come up with a better and more convenient source I'm all for it. I know what I know through the fact that I make it to the next day. It's because of what I know I'm alive, because without knowledge or thought we would be lifeless objects. My brain tells me everything I know, my brain records everything I know, being able to right an essay on a complicated topic like this proves that I know what I'm doing and knowing something is knowledge. Why should we believe what's in the paper and why should anyone believe me? Why should they take time out from their somewhat busy lives and listen to me? Why should they care about what I think and
Islam, God and Nature.
MY RELIGION COURSEWORK USMAN YUSAF ISLAM Islam, a major world religion, founded in Arabia and based on the teachings of Muhammad, who is called the Prophet. The Arabic word "islam" literally means "to surrender," but as a religious term in the Quran, it means "to surrender to the will or law of God." In Islam God Is Known as "Allah." And one who practices Islam is a Muslim. According to the Quran, Islam is the primordial and universal religion, and even nature itself is Muslim, because it automatically obeys the laws that God has ingrained in it. For human beings, who possess free will, practicing Islam does not involve automatically obeying but rather freely accepting God's commandments. A Muslim is a follower of the revelation (the Quran) brought by Muhammad and so is a member of the Islamic community. Because the name a Muslim is given in the Quran itself to the followers of Muhammad , Muslims resent being called Mohammedans, which implies a personal cult of Muhammad, forbidden in Islam. Muslims are told to praise and worship god alone and not Muhammad who is a messenger and last prophet of Allah. They also object to the spelling Moslem as a distortion of Muslim. Although exact statistics are not available, the Muslim world population is estimated at more than 1 billion. Islam has flourished in diverse climatic, cultural, and