These are notes taken (and comments occasionally added) by a student (albeit an aging one). I am not a scholar of this complex subject. But if you find these notes of use, feel free to browse.
I picked up this book in the Avid Reader in Cobourg. Part 4 (Chapters 14 to 18) on Islam seems to me succinct and quite well done.
of 1-1/2 bln Muslims fewer than 20% are Arabs
"Islam" = "submission" (to God) -- also has meaning of "peace"; "Muslim" = "one who submits"
8 mln American Muslims (RJA comment: 700,000 Canadian Muslims)
Qur'an = "recitation" -- offers system of faithful living (deen)
Sharia'ah law is rooted in the Qur'an and in the Sunnah -- "Sunnah is a vast assembly of traditions collected in hadith (recounting the acts and sayings of M)
jinns have free will like humans and will be judged by God
Al-lah = "The God"
Hegira (622) celebrated as the first year of the Muslim era
warring chieftans in Medina (Yathrib) agreed to put an end to their bloody struggles for supremacy by appointing M as their leader
Qur'an initially oral and memorized -- first authoritative compilation by M's secretary Zaid in Thabit -- final sequence determined by the Caliph Uthman, 20 yrs after M's death -- Uthman pronounced in favour of Zaid's collection and ordered all other versions destroyed
Qur'an has 3 types of teachings:
Abraham's first son (by his maid Hagar) Ishmael was sent away after his son by Sarah (Isaac) was born -- the descendants of Isaac formed the tribes of Israel -- Ishmael came to Mecca and settled there
caliphs were those who followed in M's footsteps -- first 4 were close associates or relatives of M -- pivotal figures called "rightly Guided Caliphs" -- then emerged as a political leader too -- title assumed by Ottoman sultans after conquered Egypt in 1517 -- title was abolished in 1924
Back to TopQur'an is a recital of God's word only in its original Arabic -- so translations sometimes called "the meaning of the Qur'an") -- what is 'lost in translation' is the authenticity of a direct quotation from God
supplemented by Sunnah (outlining behaviour in a vast array of situations)
Back to Topviews of 'rationalist' movement (said Qur'an not eternal) eventually accepted by caliphs of the period - but a vigorous counter-reaction arose in 10th Century = Sunni ("orthodox") school of theology
emerged as dominant force - today 85% are Sunni
intolerance of dissent but not narrowly defined doctrine, rather broadly accepted set of theological principles - no structured religious hierarchy
Back to Toponly one major school distinct from Sunnis survied -- even more distant origin than the Sunni -- heavy emphasis on the role of individual clerics
originated as a political faction in the bitter 7th Century disputes over succession
early Shias supported the claim of Ali (M' son-in-law) as the first caliph -- they lost
eventually incorporated a religious dimension - starting with murder of Ali's younger son Husayan at Karbala in 680
"Shia" = follower (of Ali) -- don't accept other 3 initial caliphs
15% of Muslims -- official religion of Iran, and communities in India, Pakistan, Iraq, and elsewhere
follow an Imam as leader - Imams are all direct descendants of Ali - one sect believes in 12 Imams and another in 7 Imams -- in both cases with the most recent still ruling today
clerics (= deputies of the Twelfth Imam) = mullahs or mujtahids
but, as with Sunnis, no formal hierarchy
differences from Sunnis: differ on what ancient accounts accepted as constituting the Sunnah -- also acknowledge temporary marriages (for predetermined period of time)
Shiites focus less on rigorous logic, emphasize free will, emphasize clerical authority
Back to Topmystics of Islam -- asceticism and contemplation and prayer
they revere Ali (M's son-in-law) and Hallaj (a 10th Century figure who shocked some contemporaries by claiming unity with God -- and was crucified)
Rabia al-Adawiyya, influential early Sufi, -- she condemned religious devotion that was motivated by a desire for heaven or a fear of punishment [RJA comment: cf Nietzsche about virtuous wanting to be paid] - love for God was the sole valid expression of devotion to the Divine
Back to Topeach prayer about 10 minutes -- but can supplement -- can be in a mosque or elsewhere -- but believe more reward for prayers as part of a group
must be ritually clean -- removes shoes, perofrms cleansing ritual (wudhu) for hands, face, mouth, and feet -- then face East and begin a series of rituals involving bowing, prostration, recitation of prayers
Friday is Islamic sabbath -- gather in mosque at noon for 30-60 min service -- men & women separate so as not to distract each other
images of Allah or any human, plant, or animal are forbidden (idolatry and an unlawful imitation of the creative power of God)
non-Muslim guests can observe in a separate area -- don't join the prayer line -- [RJA comment: though Qur'an seems to forbid?]
Back to Topother holy days:
this life is only a test
being poor is a test to show remain steadfast in faith without sin of hopelessness and dishonest
being rich is a test to see if shows generosity and mercy and helps support spread of Islam
name of Allah is whispered to newborn and to dying (first and last word one hears)
no second chance -- forgiveness of sins not based on blood-sacrifice
on day of Judgment Allah raises all humanity to life (resurrection) and gives accurate accounting
in describing paradise, Qur'an uses evocative language re images of rest, celebration, and joy -- but Mislims believe its actual experience is beyond human comprehension or verbal summary
Back to TopChristian sees death as the waves of sin & Adam & Eve's disobedience as Original Sin
but Muslim sees death as a reality not because of misbehaviour but because Allah has determined that all humans are to be tested by life and then brought back through death
Adam & Eve story is in Qur'an -- interestingly Eve not assigned blame and Allah eventually forgives the pair
dunya refers to the lower world (here) -- mustn't be distracted by it from the true purpose of the test
Back to Top2 other alternatives: some people delivered to Hell for a period of purification [RJA question: huh? I thought no purgatory] -- others transported to "the Heights" until ready to enter Paradise
several passages in the Qur'an suggest that devout Christians and Jews can attain paradise -- but controversial since many Muslims consider these verse superseded by verses revealed later to M [RJA comment: seems very ambiguous to me]
at day of reckoning there is a group assembled including Abraham, Moses, John the Baptist, Jesus, and Mohammad
Angel of Death (Izrael) separates sould from body at time of death
Back to TopMuslim=Arab:
only a minority are Arabs or from the Middle East
but many -- though not all -- Muslims are given, or adopt, Islamic names (but having an Arabic name doesn't make one an Arab) - e.g.,Yosuf Islam (Cat Stevens), Muammad Ali (Cassius Clay)
The "Sword of Islam":
prevailing philosphy of the Islamic state was not one of forcible imposition of Islamic beliefs (indeed, Qur'an prohibits this) -- remarkable tolerance
special tax on religious communities -- in exchange had military protection and other beneifits and free to pursue their own faith
Jihad:
jihad originally and still primarily means struggle -- against the self first and foremost -- jihad is the work of a lifetime
teachings of Islam wpecifically forbid sneak attacks, assaults on noncombatants, & unnec destruction of property, returning harm for harm -- a religion of peace
tells nice story about hand-to-hand combat where Muslim backs off at end because can't kill in anger
Muslims argue shouldn't judge Islam by 9/11 -- are extremists in all religions
Women:
Muslimah = female Muslim
[RJA comment: but seems to me there is a lot of mixed evidence]
Qur'an doesn't advocate slaughter of unbelievers:
notes that one verse is often taken out of context [RJA comment" several seem to me to talk of killing unbelievers]
another myth is that the Qur'an promises 72 virgins to any suicide attacker fighting on behalf of Allah - but this does not appear in the Qur'an -- and the Qur'an forbids suicide without exception