REL 137g 1st Edition Lecture 2 Current LectureMuhammadWhen a figure has an important impact on a large group of peopleCollective memory is embellishedBecause of the internal effect people experienceFolkloreRepresentation made up of historical fact and communal lore- FactsTempo-centric vs. ethno-centricPerspectives based on our own time vs. our own ethnicityBorn in Mecca around 570 C.E. - Arabia at that timeLittle interest from outside powers“Empty quarter” Nothing but the desertNo economic, political, civilization significanceUndeveloped statureProvided insulation from foreign powers Long distance trading connected Arabia to the worldSpice from IndiaFood, medicine, form of currencyExtremely important to all Arabia acted as middleman No state of nation, citizenship, authorityNeed for socializationUnit of the tribeAn individual is only as strong as their tribeLead by a shaykhDid not have ultimate authorityTo regulate, preserve interest of tribeMust be older, strong personality, eloquent Raiding Nationally utilized Shaykh got ¼ of spoilsTo help in leading tribeDynamics of a tribeAsabíyahVery deep sense of “us-ness”Individuals tied to their tribe on a deeply Psychological levelTakes the place of citizenshipMurúwwahGenerosity under all circumstancesProtection of the weakTo be stingy reflects weakness Helping others is a manifestation of strength“machismo”; masculine strength A tribe will break down into clansQurayshMother tribeVirtually disappeared as functional reality Broke down into several clansThe clan is then the unit of society Afterwards, clans will only identify with a tribe in face of External threatOperates exactly like a tribeHas a shaykhClans in Mecca at the time of Muhammed’s birthBanu/i HashimBanu/i TaymBanu/i MakhzumMuhammedFrom the tribe Quraysh, from the clan B. Hashim Break down of alliances between clans into three main groups B. HashimB. Abd ShansWill eventually become leading dynasty Mckhzum Most powerful and wealthyIntroduction of liquid money through trade made people less dependent on their clan Religion before Muhammed Arabians believed in God, known as Allah (proper name for God in Arabic)Creator and sustainer of universe Great distance between the people and GodToo far to be involved in everyday lifeIntermediariesIdols who connected the people to GodNot the creators of the universe, just connection to God Acquired some semblance of supernatural powerWas the core of Arabian religionShirk Translated as polytheism Did not believe in more than one creatorRather, the recognition of more than one possessor of supernatural powerRitualsMecca as the religious site of pilgrimage To visit the Ka’baBuilt by AbrahamHeld idolsPrimarily about extracting service from natureAs opposed to being moralistic No prophets, books, theology, religious hierarchyFolk religion No belief in afterlife Question arisesDid Muhammed want to replace or just transform already existent religious norms?Transformed Arabic religious traditions into Islamic traditions KahinPriestCommunicated through speech called saj’Arabic as rhymed prose MuhammedBorn in 570 C.E.Father died before he was bornMother died when he was around 6 Taken into the care of his grandfatherHe died when Muhammed was 8Then taken into the care of an uncle, Abu TalibHis father’s brother Normal childhood but disturbed by the religious life of MeccaMember of a small group of monotheists, HanifWanted to find a way to connect with one true GodIn this way Muhammed was apart from society In 610At around 40 years old, says he receives revelations from God Beginning of