The world “Islam” means submission or surrender as in submission to the will of Allah, or GodIslam represents the correction or completion of other monotheistic faithsGod gives each human a fixed time on earth to do what is right (free will)Strong monotheistic religionAllahOnes deeds are then judged in the afterlife by AllahIslam is linked strongly to is early formative historyReally born in ArabiaAt the core of Muslim belief are “the messenger and message”When did Islam begin?Infinity- the Quran was infinitely with AllahAbraham- Ishmael; they built the Ka’baMuhammad’s migration to Medina in CE 622Follows a lunar calendarholiest cityMeccaBefore Muhammad= time of barbarismAncient Arabians essentially practice tribal polytheismMany gods including Allah, ManatSlavery, women have no rightsTribal polytheism very “present oriented”, not afterlifeYet ancient Arabia did not exist in a vacuumMonotheism was known in Arabia, Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrian merchantsArab monotheists as well; called hanifs (pious ones)Muhammad is one of the 5 prophets of power: Abraham, Moses, Noah, Jesus, MuhammadMuhammad was a prophet like MosesMuhammad is commanded to “Iqra,” or reciteEventually, muhammad accepts the call; after three years he is told to preach publicallyMain message: “La illaha illa Allah”There is no gods but godBut early on, Muhammad is not well-received: monotheism, social justice, false contractsMecca, Medina, and Jerusalem are holy cities for Muslims; why Jerusalem?On eve of judgment, Jerusalem will be place of refuge against the Anti-ChristThe Messiah will triumph there over evilMuhammad’s “night of Ascension”Muhammad is criticized along two lines:He was a war mongerHe was morally corruptThe QuranOnly with the Quran will Arabic be cementedThe Quran is the book of GodBut what about the other scripturesQuran as correctionThe Quran means “recitation” it is every Muslims duty to “recite” and learn it, it is an expression of pietyIt is about 80% the size of the new testament, with 114 chapters, or surasIt was received to Muhammad over 22 years, but is it a new text?Who wrote the Quran?The Quran is a scriptureGod is merciful and just (we’ve seen this before) Tawheed is the unity of AllahAllah G=guides us in three ways: through Muhammad, the Angels, and QuranAbsolute monotheism hereQuran is final revelation from God; it is unchangeableQuran on Scripture“the people of the book are a community in obedience.. they believe in Allah and the last day, enjoin what is right and forbid what is evil, and vie with one another for good works. They are of the righteous” (3:113-115)if someone kills another person.. it is as if he had murdered all mankind” (5:32)What are the major teachings of the Quran?No modern biblical criticism here, it is the eternal, literal word of GodAt the center is God, or Allah; more than 2500 mentiondGod is transcendent, all powerfulThe Quranic UniverseThree realms: heaven, earth, hellInhabitants of the world include angels, jinn’s, and humansJinn’s- made of smokeless fire. Invisible good or bad entities (word “genies”)Angels are he link between God and Humans, communicate divine revelationsFinally, human beings share a special relationship to GodGod breathed his/her spirit into him (15:29)Jinn (Satan, or Iblis)refused to bow before Adam; hence, expulsion and fall from heavenHumans are to implement Gods will.No original sin in the Quran, sin is not inherentSin for Muslims= disobedienceHumans created good, but are just limited creatures; death= result of mortal human condition, not sinFirst you sin, then comes repentance, then comes Gods forgivenessThe worst of sins involves ones relationship with GodShirk- idolatry; worshipping other Gods. Considered by some to be the one unforgivable sine, but the Quran seems to allow for leniencyRELG 102 1st EditionExam # 4 Study Guide Lecture: 11-12Lecture 11 (March 6) The world “Islam” means submission or surrender as in submission to the will of Allah, or God Islam represents the correction or completion of other monotheistic faiths God gives each human a fixed time on earth to do what is right (free will) Strong monotheistic religion- Allah Ones deeds are then judged in the afterlife by Allah Islam is linked strongly to is early formative history- Really born in Arabia At the core of Muslim belief are “the messenger and message” When did Islam begin?- Infinity- the Quran was infinitely with Allah- Abraham- Ishmael; they built the Ka’ba- Muhammad’s migration to Medina in CE 622- Follows a lunar calendar- holiest city- Mecca - Before Muhammad= time of barbarism- Ancient Arabians essentially practice tribal polytheism- Many gods including Allah, Manat- Slavery, women have no rights- Tribal polytheism very “present oriented”, not afterlife- Yet ancient Arabia did not exist in a vacuum- Monotheism was known in Arabia, Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrian merchants- Arab monotheists as well; called hanifs (pious ones)- Muhammad is one of the 5 prophets of power: Abraham, Moses, Noah, Jesus, Muhammad- Muhammad was a prophet like Moses- Muhammad is commanded to “Iqra,” or recite- Eventually, muhammad accepts the call; after three years he is told to preach publically- Main message: “La illaha illa Allah”o There is no gods but godo But early on, Muhammad is not well-received: monotheism, social justice, false contractsLecture 12 (March 18) - Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem are holy cities for Muslims; why Jerusalem?o On eve of judgment, Jerusalem will be place of refuge against the Anti-Christo The Messiah will triumph there over evilo Muhammad’s “night of Ascension”- Muhammad is criticized along two lines:o He was a war mongero He was morally corrupt The Quran- Only with the Quran will Arabic be cemented- The Quran is the book of God- But what about the other scriptures- Quran as correction- The Quran means “recitation” it is every Muslims duty to “recite” and learn it, it is anexpression of piety- It is about 80% the size of the new testament, with 114 chapters, or suras- It was received to Muhammad over 22 years, but is it a new text?- Who wrote the Quran?- The Quran is a scripture- God is merciful and just (we’ve seen this before) Tawheed is the unity of Allah- Allah G=guides us in three ways: through Muhammad, the Angels, and Quran- Absolute