Political Islam 05-30-2013I. Why do they Hate Us?II. Brief History of Islam A. Muhammad (570-632) B. Ummah C. Five PillarsPrayer, Shahada, Alms, Ramandan, Hajj D. Christianity vs. Islam (Clash of Civilization Complex)1. Quran (Hadith and Sunna)2. Islam’s Relationship to the State & Role of Conquest- Shariah E. Caliphates1. Orthodox (or “Right Guided”) – 632-611.a. Four Uniting Bonds1.b. Legitimists (Shiites) vs. Umayyads (Sunnis)2. Umayyad (661-750)3. Abbasid (750-1258)Seljuks, Crusades & Mongols (…Mamluks)4. Ottoman Empire (1299-1923)*Quraysh, Abu-Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, Muawiyah, AtaturkPolitical Islam-When Huntington talks about future conflict he highlights West vs. Islam-Confucianism vs. West would be due to power transition with China-9/11 argument proves Huntinton argument as correct-Not at War w/ Islam but w/ Radical Islam-Radical Islam- Muslims who have adopted extremism which espouse terrorism (not all Muslims)I. “Why Do They Hate Us?”- witten by ZAKARIA1. Start to ask this question after 9/11 – didn’t see this coming WHY DID THEY ATTACK US?-Huntington- b/c of fundamental differences in religion and culture2.Unconventional enemy, different than any we’ve had in the past-Not an alliance of Islamic states, rather actors from within Islamic states3. Harder to combat group – because they were a non state entity 4. Osama Bin Laden said religion was the problem. Complicated b/c lumps all Muslims into one category5. Question is so broad that we don’t know who “they” is or who “us” is either6. Have to identify the actual problems so we can identify who the actors are7. What was clear out of 9/11 was that the US did not understand the Muslim world and didn’t have much knowledge8. Ignorance for their history, major figures/movements, IslamII. Brief History of Islam-Islam shares Judeo Christians historic roots-3 religions Abrahamic Religion (Judaism, Christianity & Islam)-We all trace roots back to Abraham-Major differnce is the Son-Prophets of the old testament are recognized by Muslims-Believe in same god and Muslims dont deny that Jesus existed-Muslims see him as a prophet not Christ-Over time teachings have become corrupted. Man kind perverted the teachings and so reform was needed-Needed reform thus the New prophet is Muhammad A. Muhammad (570-632)-Born in Mecca (trading tribe) – Muhammad is from Quraysh tribe (570)-Felt people were no longer listening to teachings of the prophets and needed reform-Muhammad retreated outside of Mecca to a cave to meditate and Gabriel appeared to him with one command to recite-Began to dictate words that Gabriel spoke and this became the Quran (610)-613- Muhammad began preaching about getting back to the roots-Local elite believed it would disrupt economic activity-Muhammad left Mecca and went to Medina in 622-Many of Muhammad’s followers came from lower middle class -Formed an army and through religious conversion began expanding his influence and unite the tribes on the Arabian Peninsula-632 - Muhammad dies- He was an influencial militarily and political leader -Muhammad creates the Ummah- religious community of leaders – transcending tribal identities with unifying religious identityB. Ummah-Religious community of leaders -transcending tribal identities that divided-unified body of believers-The core is in MeccaC. Five Pillars1. Prayer: 5 times a day facing Mecca2. Shahada: to say: there is no God but God, and Muhammad is his prophet.3. Alms: charity for the poor4. Ramadan: month of fast, 9th month on lunar calendar5. Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca*Jihad - literally means STRUGGLENot one of the 5 pillars (common misconception) – (will most likely be on exam)D. Christianity vs. Islam (Clash of Civilization context)1. Central figure – Christians:Christ we see him as the divine son of god2. Central figure- Muslims: Muhammad- 3. Central works-A. Christians: the Bible (old (prophets) and new testament (followers of Jesus)Christians: Inspired by God – stand alone, only holy bookB. Islam: Quran is central work. Plus, works that focus on life of Muhammad-Hadith- Sayings of Prophet. Sunna- traditions based on the life of the prophet1. Quran -directly related to Muhammad & put into complete form after Muhammad’s death-Hadith: the sayings of the prophet-Sunna: traditions based on the life of the prophet-Muhammad is central to Islam2. Islam’s Relationship to the State & Role of Conquest1. Islam is the state2. Jesus was seen as a threat to the state-Muhammad was the state – Muhammad seen as a ruler and a conquer- State and religion are married together and reinforced by Shariah law-The contrast with Christianity (Jesus was not a political figure) and religion is a seperate entity from the state Jesus didn't come as conquer and Muhammad was a conquer- Thus, a conquest in religion that dates back to the founder of Isalm. Christian Church developed outside the state system – sometimes against itShariah: (the law)-The law of Islam is based on the Quran, Hadith and Sunna-The role of conquest: Muhammad and conquest went hand in hand-Using force to protect and spread the faith Who is supposed to follow Muhammad -M didnt name his follower-Problem of who was going to succeed Muhammad-His father in law Abu-Bakr became new Caliph(successor) – first successor E. Caliphates1. Orthodox (or Rashidun/”Rightly Guided”)- 632-61-Abu-Bakr begins orthodox caliphate-Abu-Bakr followed by one of his generals, Umar expansion of Islam is spread through diplomacy and warA. Four Uniting Bonds1. Religion -Islam2. law - Sharia3. language – Arabic4. linked trade- linked economicallyHuntington: If there are uniting bonds for Islamic civilization then maybe Huntington’s theory shouldn’t be questioned and attacked so badlyB. Legitimists (Shiites) vs. Umayyads (Sunnis)Split – revolving as who should be able to succeed Muhammad and be CaliphLegitimists – (Shiites) – successor should only come from direct line of Muhammad Umayyads (Sunnis) – didnt feel successor had to be of direct line but successor had to be from the same tribe (Quraysh tribe)-Felt first two Caliphs earned their positions based on merit2. Umayyad (661-750) (Sunnis)-New Caliph was Muawiyah and the capital was Damascus -Ummayyad ushers in the Golden Age of Islam -Umayyad extremely power in expansionGolden Age1. Efficiency at a height2. Scientific developments3. Developments in the Arts-Height of Arabization and height of
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