The Quran The revelation of the Quran to Muhammad began in 610CEabd continued until just before

The Quran The revelation of the Quran to Muhammad began in 610CEabd continued until just before the prophet's death i.e. 632CE. During this time, it appears that at first the prophet got his followers to learn the revolution by memory. At a later stage he has sectaries to which he dedicated the revelations and they wrote them down on whatever came to hand. The Quran itself says that it is a revelation from god which sums up all people need to know about god and religion. 'This is the book, in it is guidance sure without doubt to those who fear god' (Sura 2 v 2) It was given to Muhammad in such a way that it can never be distorted. 'he sent among them an apostle from among themselves, rehearsing unto them the signs of god, sanctifying them and instructing them in scripture and wisdom, while before that they had been in manifest error' (Sura 3 v 164) All these beliefs mean that, as far as Muslims are concerned, the Quran has absolute authority. If the Quran says something, then if you are a good Muslim you must do it. It clearly follows from the nature and authority of the Quran that it is the most holy thing a Muslim possess. Therefore, most Muslims will keep their Quran wrapped up so that it does not becomes polluted, they will keep it higher then other books and will be clan (wudhu) before touching it. All the regulations apply to the Arabic Quran. Muslims believe

  • Word count: 723
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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Hafiz: A Drunkard?

Saurabh Shah ARLT 100 - Prof. Reid April 9, 2004 Hafiz: A Drunkard? The debate of alcohol present in Islamic poetry is one of ambiguity due to lack of factual evidence. In regard to specific poets, the information lacks even further, especially in relation to specific actions such as drinking. Secular and religious life of a poet can be inferred from the poetry that has been passed down, although there may be language issues when attempting to interpret translations. Looking at the poetry in a generalized format, a reader can assume that there is an abundant amount of proof that Sufis drink because of their ability to describe the moment of being drunk so perfectly and vibrantly, with everyone drinking from the poets to the dregs. Yet the known background of the poet must be taken into account when comparing his life into the life that is portrayed in poetry. When looking at Hafiz, his background is clearly one of piety, as shown by his name which indicates a person who has memorized the Quran and can recite it perfectly. Hence, knowing that alcohol is illegal in Islam, Hafiz would not have committed hypocritical acts, especially those strictly prohibited in the Quran. The profuse image of wine in his poetry is an image that is both mystical and sensual, with the ambiguity of this image intended so that both levels can be maintained. Items in poetry can be seen as

  • Word count: 2493
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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Modern eastern western encounters have occurred on many an occasion over the last century and into the present.

Modern eastern western encounters have occurred on many an occasion over the last century and into the present. Some with more notoriety than others dependent upon the nature of such an encounter, in hindsight to its implications and thus the repercussions of such an event that can be seen on many a front, whether geographical, ideological, philosophical, physiological perspective. In simple terms the inherent differences that set the eastern western divide. We must not forget an encounter does not necessarily have to be a major event or spectacle it can be played out on a smaller scale through an individuals experience of what the western/eastern may constitute, either in form of propagated popular critique or first hand experience of self, particularly seen through the experiences of migrant peoples coming from the east to the west. The culture they brought with them, the extent of their assimilation, and by in large the western response to these peoples. An initial response could be described as one of out right rejection or one of expecting more adherences to western norms with an almost colonial governance of the old, which the British commanded over its former subjects. Other aspects that are conjunctive with such ideas involve displacement, and uncertainty of ones own identity in regard to the east adapting to the west. A theme discussed by many an author of eastern

  • Word count: 3436
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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Analysis of Islamic Scripture. Al-Baqarah Verses 8 - 18

Paper 1: Al-Baqarah Verses 8 - 18 Whenever people talk about the attributes of Allah, they have a tendency to emphasize the generosity and the compassion that He possesses for all of mankind. They usually overlook the fact that Allah's generosity and compassion is reserved for people who follow His guidance. As for the people who do not follow the guidance of Allah, a great loss awaits them and Allah has reserved sheer destruction for them. This is clearly illustrated in verses 8 through 18 in Al-Baqarah. These verses were revealed in Madinah at a time when a new kind of people had begun to join the community of Muslims-the munafiqin (hypocrites). The munafiqin were people who had denied Islam but had come under the folds of Islam to harm it within. While maintaining strong ties with the non-believers, the munafiqin had also joined the Muslims, and their duplicity made them a great threat to the Muslim community. In order to warn the Muslims against the munafiqin, Allah has revealed the true identity of the munafiqin and has portrayed a negative image of the munafiqin. Through the use of a good sentence structure, a negative tone and an evocative parable, Allah has conveyed a very strong message against the munafiqin in verses 8 through 18 in Al-Baqarah. The structure of the passage really shows how discontent Allah is with the munafiqin. Verses 8 through 16 contain very

  • Word count: 1081
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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In What Respect Did Muhammad'S Message In Medina Differ From His MessageIn Mecca

IN WHAT RESPECT DID MUHAMMAD'S MESSAGE IN MEDINA DIFFER FROM HIS MESSAGE IN MECCA? Muhammad is the 'seal of the prophets' in Islam and his message encompassed religious teachings together with a substantial political influence. Muhammad was born in c570 in Mecca. Although Mecca had no hope of agricultural wealth, the city prospered owing to the trade routes passing through it. Mecca was a centre of pilgrimage due to the Ka'ba, a shrine housing the pagan deities then worshipped by the many Arab tribes. As this suggests Arabia was predominantly polytheistic. However, in the surrounding areas there were a number of Jewish communities and Christians that can be seen to influence Muhammad in his early thinking. Polytheism, idolatry and a lack of compassion for unfortunate members of society led Muhammad to a ritual of meditation in a nearby cave on Mount Hira. It was during one of these times of contemplation, in 610, that the angel Gabriel is said to have first appeared to him and instructed him to pass on the message that he had been given. Muhammad, at first, was overcome but disbelief but gradually he accepted his mission from Allah. During his life he experienced many visions through which his message continued to develop. After spending a number of years in Mecca preaching it was clear Muhammad's message was not welcome so he and his followers emigrated to Medina,

  • Word count: 2424
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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Bengali Muslims in the UK.

TITLE BENAGLI MUSIMS IN THE UK WORD COUNT 3200 Content page: * Rationale 3 * Contexts 4 * Concepts 5 * Methodology 6 * Evidence 8 * Analysis 9 * Evaluation 10 * Conclusion 12 * Appendix 13 * Diary 16 * Bibliography 16 Sociology Coursework: Rationale: I will be looking at the religion Islam where I will be comparing the 'religiosity' of Muslims in Tower Hamlets to those in Bangladesh. My hypothesis that Bengali Muslims living in Tower Hamlets are losing their religious beliefs because of the society they are brought up in. I have chosen to study Islam because as a Muslim it will interest me to find out if there is a link between the society one lives in and the decline in ones beliefs. I have noticed in my Bengali friends that their interest in religion and its way of life has declined. It seems to me that obtaining the materialistic goals of the 'American Dream' is their sole purpose in life. 19 Context and concepts: The United Kingdom has changed from a country mainly populated by Christians to a country that holds many religions. Wilson 1995 argues that this pluralism in religion means that religion no longer acts as a unifying force in society. My research will try to find out if the Bengali Muslims in the UK are losing their faith because there is no unifying force on Muslims; Islam is a minority religion in this secular

  • Word count: 4992
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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The misnomer of Islamic fundamentalism.

The misnomer of Islamic fundamentalism has been greatly dramatized and misinterpreted by western media over the past twenty years. The reality behind the purposes and goals of these Islamist organizations have been obscured by the western propensity towards action and violence without taking note of the origins, which have caused violent actions to occur. Hizbollah is one of the groups that have been under the media microscope since its first acts of violence in 1983. The ideological origins, practices, and goals of Hizbollah must be understood in order to formulate an educated concept of how and why radicalization has emerged and how it has evolved throughout the past twenty years. To this end, two books, two encyclopedias, one article (from The Jerusalem Quarterly), and the Hizbollah website have been chosen to provide various perspectives on the understanding of this complex organization. Martin Kramer has published many books and articles relating to Hizbollah and is among the most quoted from encyclopedia excerpts. Arab Awakening and Islamic Revival was, thus, chosen. Robin Wright's specialty is Iran and militant Islam and Sacred Rage presents the views of Hizbollah in a comprehensive and contemporary manner. Origins of Hizballah, an article by Shimon Shapira presents a perspective presented by Tel Aviv University at a time when Hizbollah violence was at its

  • Word count: 2051
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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During the prime of his glorious boxing career Cassius Clay courageously changed affiliation to embrace the Nation of Islam and became a Muslim despite the stubborn disapproval of sports media and harsh criticisms of his own country

Thesis: During the prime of his glorious boxing career Cassius Clay courageously changed affiliation to embrace the Nation of Islam and became a Muslim despite the stubborn disapproval of sports media and harsh criticisms of his own country I. Classus Clay first began taking boxing lessons at the age of 12. A. Opportunities for blacks were limited in Louisville during Clay's youth. B. Clay showed an incredible amount of potential. C. He dropped out of high school in favor of Olympic training. D. In 1960, the young man from Louisville gained international fame, and respect after receiving an Olympic Gold Medal. II. Headlines for Classus, criticisms, disappointments A. These weren't the headlines Clay was used to reading. B. They did not rave abut Clay's prominence or ramble about his sixth young whipping of the former champ, instead they lashed out at Clay, referred to him as bombastic. C. What has caused a nation that had loved Clay unconditionally to al the sudden hurl criticisms at him? III. Joining of the Nation of Islam A. Classus joined the Nation of Islam: black separatist group, early in the 1960's. B. The Nation of Islam was the most radical of the black groups. C. The Nation of Islam demanded change and advocating total separation of black and whites Americans. D. Muhammad Ali means "beloved of Allah." IV. Muhammad Ali has become increasingly involved

  • Word count: 1346
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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Analysis of Book "Being Muslim" by Haroon Siddiqui

Noor Sharif 00742660 RELI 2509 Leonarde Lebrande March 18th, 2008 Being Muslim By: Haroon Siddiqui Introduction: The pages human history daubed in bloodshed of violence in the name of religion, territorial gains etc. are asking the crying question. How to make this Planet Earth heaven-like? The answer is simple and direct. Eyes full of understanding, heart full of love and the life that refuses conflicts. These alone are enough In the recorded history of humanity in the last five thousand years, politicians, kings, military generals, religious leaders have miserably failed to solve the important question of achieving peace for mankind. If the purpose of the book is to tender some facts related to the Muslim population of the world in the light of the post 9/11 calamity, it has achieved some success. In terms of contribution to cementing understanding between other communities and the Muslims, it has failed. On issues related to Faith, arguments and counter-arguments have not solved and will never solve the differences. The root cause of deep misunderstanding lies elsewhere. Haroon Siddiqui makes clear in publishing the book "Being Muslim" to give a view of Islam to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. To shed light on the real Islam that is so wrongly portrayed in media today achieving this goal is questionable although he does attempt. He selects topics that are very

  • Word count: 1637
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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Modernization and Islam

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) brought Islam to the whole world, his efforts in preaching centered around the Arabian Peninsula in general and Mecca in particular. Arab society at that time was ridden with social and political atrocities including severe class differences and corrupted economic and political dominance by a chosen few. Islam proved to be much more than a religious affiliation to them and with the Prophet in the lead, the resulting Muslim civilization grew rapidly into a spectacular phenomenon. However, with the passage of time, history shows that Muslim countries have found new lows for themselves amongst the world nations, taking the current example i.e. at one front they enjoy vast riches in the form of natural resources and at the same time someone trying to openly adopt Islam, Iman and Ikhlas in their purest forms is sure to be labeled an extremist and a fanatic. One wonders why it is so that when it was introduced, Islam reformed the Arab society into being a model for generations to come. And generations later, we have somehow failed to keep up with our past standards, while busy imitating western ideas to modernize and compete for global recognition once again like our ancestors. Why is it that Islam seems to be leading us away from our goal? 1One argument put forward is that the earlier Muslims had the Holy Prophet amongst them as a Guide to Islam. We too,

  • Word count: 623
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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