April 5, 2023

When studying the different religions of the world we tend of focus on the distinctions between these religions and understanding what makes them unique, however it is important to

Background Information:
When studying the different religions of the world we tend of focus on the distinctions between these religions and understanding what makes them unique, however it is important to note that although these religions are distinct and unique in their own way, there are common themes and structures that can be applied to them. Some of the common elements present in the different religions that we will be studying this semester are:

Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Writings
- Divinely inspired writings that contain origins of the religion, essential beliefs, and major teachings. Some religions also revere writings of prominent figures throughout their history who have contributed to expounding the theology of the religion (ex: writings of the Islamic saints)
Beliefs and Practices
- Tenets of the religion that unify its community of believers on a variety of topics ranging from their relationship with the divine, soteriology, creation, eschatology, anthropology, etc.
Prayer and Worship
- Liturgical practices that believers of the faith participate in throughout their daily lives. Some liturgical practices and rituals of prayer are performed in conjunction with the celebration of religious festivals at particular times of the week (ex: Sabbath) or times of the year (ex: Christmas)
Morality – Code of Ethics
- Guiding principles that adherents of the faith abide by throughout their lives informed by the theology of the religion
History
- Understanding how the religion was established and the advances of the religion throughout human history that shape the global image of the religion today while also recognizing changes in theology that have occurred throughout history due to major historical events

Instructions:

In your reading of Chapter 12 – Encountering Islam: The Straight Path of the One God you have gained a better understanding of what the religion of Islam is all about from the context of its history, sacred scriptures, beliefs and practices, code of ethics, etc. You will now use the information gleaned in the chapter to expand upon particular elements of Islam enumerated below:

Islamic Symbols and Names (.5 pages)
1. Identify a common Islamic symbol and explain its significance
  1. Consider the following:
    1. History/Origins of the symbol
    2. Important religious figure(s) associated with the symbol and their involvement with it
    3. How is the symbol utilized by Muslims today?
      1. Is it used during prayer/worship?
      2. Is it worm as an outward sign of faith?
2. Distinguish between the terms 'Islam' and 'Muslim' as it relates to the Islamic faith
Life of the Prophet Muhammed (.5-1 pages)
1. Discuss who the Prophet Muhammed was and the impact that he had on Islam.
2. Describe 2 key events from the Prophet Muhammed’s life.
3. Address how these events are commemorated by Muslims today
Sacred Scriptures (.5 pages)
1. Analyze what the Qur’an is and assess upon how Muslims use it today
  1. Consider the following:
    1. Importance of particular Surahs in the Qur’an
    2. How the sacred text came into existence
    3. Important religious figures mentioned in the Qur’an
Beliefs and Practices (2 – 3 pages)
In the religion of Islam there is set of beliefs that all Muslim’s must follow. These are known as the Articles of Faith and their foundations are found in the Qur’an. The 6 articles of faith tell Muslims what to believe in and then the 5 Pillars of Islam explain how to implement these beliefs in their daily lives.
1. Interpret the meaning of each of the Six Articles of Faith (1-1.5 pages)
  1. Belief in the Oneness of Allah (God)
  2. Belief in the Angels
  3. Belief in the Books of Allah
  4. Belief in the Prophets of Allah
  5. Belief in the Day of Judgement
  6. Belief in the Divine Decree – Will of Allah
2. Articulate the significance of each of the Five Pillars of Islam listed below and demonstrate how these pillars are lived out by Muslims today (1-1.5 pages)
  1. Shahadah – Profession of Faith
  2. Salah – Prayer
  3. Zakah – Almsgiving
  4. Sawm – Fasting
  5. Hajj – Pilgrimage

Submission Instructions:

When completing this written report, the following guidelines must be followed. Failure to do so will result in points being deducted from your grade.
This report must be typed in 12 pt. Times New Roman font & double-spaced.
Each section of the report must include a section title on a separate line (ex: Christian Symbols, Christianity in Context, etc.).
Each section must incorporate at least 1 direct quotation from wither the course text (World RELG4: Introduction to World Religions) or one of the databases/encyclopedias available through St. Thomas University Library with an appropriate citation. You may also find it beneficial to refer to Module 4: Lecture Materials & Resources.
The report should be formatted per current CMOS and adhere to the page length requirements outlined above.
Your work will be assessed through Turnitin.

Islam Written Report Background Information When studying the different religions of the world we tend of focus on the distinctions between these religions and understanding what makes them unique, however it is important to note that although these religions are distinct and unique in their own way, there are common themes and structures that can be applied to them. Some of the common elements present in the different religions that we will be studying this semester are:

– Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Writings o Divinely inspired writings that contain origins of the religion, essential beliefs, and major

teachings. Some religions also revere writings of prominent figures throughout their history who have contributed to expounding the theology of the religion (ex: writings of the Islamic saints)

– Beliefs and Practices

o Tenets of the religion that unify its community of believers on a variety of topics ranging from their relationship with the divine, soteriology, creation, eschatology, anthropology, etc.

– Prayer and Worship o Liturgical practices that believers of the faith participate in throughout their daily lives. Some

liturgical practices and rituals of prayer are performed in conjunction with the celebration of religious festivals at particular times of the week (ex: Sabbath) or times of the year (ex: Christmas)

– Morality – Code of Ethics o Guiding principles that adherents of the faith abide by throughout their lives informed by the

theology of the religion

– History o Understanding how the religion was established and the advances of the religion throughout

human history that shape the global image of the religion today while also recognizing changes in theology that have occurred throughout history due to major historical events

Report Instructions In your reading of Chapter 12 – Encountering Islam: The Straight Path of the One God you have gained a better understanding of what the religion of Islam is all about from the context of its history, sacred scriptures, beliefs and practices, code of ethics, etc. You will now use the information gleaned in the chapter to expand upon particular elements of Islam enumerated below:

1. Islamic Symbols and Names – ½ page a. Identify a common Islamic symbol and explain its significance

i. Consider the following: 1. History/Origins of the symbol 2. Important religious figure(s) associated with the symbol and their involvement

with it 3. How the symbol is utilized by Muslims today?

a. Is it used during prayer/worship? b. Worn as an outward sign of faith?

b. Distinguish between the terms Islam and Muslim as it relates to the Islamic faith

2. Life of the Prophet Muhammed – ½ to 1 page a. Discuss who the Prophet Muhammed was and the impact that he had on Islam b. Describe 2 key events from the Prophet Muhammed’s life c. Address how these events are commemorated by Muslims today

3. Sacred Scriptures – ½ page a. Analyze what the Qur’an is and assess upon how Muslims use it today

i. Consider the following: 1. Importance of particular Surahs in the Qur’an 2. How the sacred text came into existence 3. Important religious figures mentioned in the Qur’an

4. Beliefs and Practices – 2 – 3 pages § In the religion of Islam there is set of beliefs that all Muslim’s must follow. These are

known as the Articles of Faith and their foundations are found in the Qur’an. The 6 articles of faith tell Muslims what to believe in and then the 5 Pillars of Islam explain how to implement these beliefs in their daily lives.

a. Interpret the meaning of each of the Six Articles of Faith: • This section of the report should be about 1 to 1 ½ page in length

i. Belief in the Oneness of Allah (God) ii. Belief in the Angels

iii. Belief in the Books of Allah iv. Belief in the Prophets of Allah v. Belief in the Day of Judgement

vi. Belief in the Divine Decree – Will of Allah

b. Articulate the significance of each of the Five Pillars of Islam listed below and demonstrate how these pillars are lived out by Muslims today

• This section of the report should be about 1 to 1 ½ page in length i. Shahadah – Profession of Faith

ii. Salah – Prayer iii. Zakah – Almsgiving iv. Sawm – Fasting v. Hajj – Pilgrimage

Formatting Guidelines When completing this written report, the following guidelines must be followed. Failure to do so will result in points being deducted from your grade:

a. This report must be typed in 12pt. font, double-spaced, & Times New Roman b. Each section of the report must:

a. Include Section Title on a separate line i. Ex: Islamic Symbols, Beliefs and Practices, etc.

b. Adhere to the page length as outlined above c. Incorporate at least 2 direct quotations with appropriate footnotes from either the course text

(World RELG4: Introduction to World Religions) or one of the databases/encyclopedias available through St. Thomas University Library

• You may also find it beneficial to refer to the Islam Resources page on Canvas i. When citing your sources, you must use Chicago Manuel Style

Page 1 of 2

Islam Written Report Rubric Islamic Symbols – 18 points

– Included all of the following elements within the explanation: o Correctly identified a common Islamic symbol o Provided a detailed explanation of the Islamic symbol o Distinguished between the terms Islam and Muslim o Explanation was at least ½ page in length o Explanation include at least 2 direct quotations with accompanying footnotes

– Missing 1 – 15 – Missing 2 – 13 – Missing 3 – 11 – Missing 4 or more – 9 – Insufficient/Missing – 0

Life of the Prophet Muhammed – 14 points

– Included all of the following elements within the explanation: o Discuss who the Prophet Muhammed was and the impact that he had on Islam o Describe 2 key events from the Prophet Muhammed’s life o Address how these events are commemorated by Muslims today o Explanation include at least 2 direct quotations with accompanying footnotes

– Missing 1 – 12 – Missing 2 – 10 – Missing 3 or more – 9 – Insufficient/Missing – 0

Sacred Scriptures – 18 points

– Included all of the following elements within the explanation: o Analyzation what the Qur’an is o Discussed how the Qur’an is used today by Muslims o Explanation was at least ½ page in length o Explanation include at least 2 direct quotations with accompanying footnotes

– Missing 1 – 15 – Missing 2 – 13 – Missing 3 or more – 11 – Insufficient/Missing – 0

Page 2 of 2

Articles of Faith – 20 points – Included all of the following elements within the explanation of the Articles of Faith:

o Correctly interpreted each of the six Articles of Faith o Explanation was at least 1 page in length o Explanation include at least 2 direct quotations with accompanying footnotes

– Missing 1 – 17 – Missing 2 – 14 – Missing 3 – 12 – Missing 4 or more – 10 – Insufficient/Missing – 0

Pillars of Islam – 20 points

– Included all of the following elements within the explanation of the Pillars of Islam: o Articulated the significance of each Pillar of Islam o Demonstrated how each pillar is lived out by Muslims today o Explanation was at least 1 page in length o Explanation include at least 2 direct quotations with accompanying footnotes

– Missing 1 – 17 – Missing 2 – 14 – Missing 3 – 12 – Missing 4 or more – 10 – Insufficient/Missing – 0

Formatting – 10 points

– Followed all of the formatting guidelines discussed in the assignment instructions – 10 – Followed some of the formatting guidelines discussed in the assignment instructions – 7 – Followed few of the formatting guidelines discussed in the assignment instructions – 4 – Did not follow the formatting guidelines discussed in the assignment instructions – 0

Encountering Islam: The Straight Path of the One God

LEARNING OUTCOMES

website, in whole or in part. RELG4 | CH3

1. Explain Islam and related terms 2. Outline how the main periods of Islamic history

have shaped its present, especially different Muslim groups

3. Give the essential elements of Islamic teachings in your own words

4. Explain Muslim ethics, especially in diet, dress, and marriage

5. Explain the ways Muslims worship, especially the Five Pillars

6. Explain the main aspects of Muslim life around the world today, especially in Europe and North America

website, in whole or in part.

The Name Islam

• Islam: Submission to God • Muslims: Submitter, follower of Islam • Term is related to, but not identical with, the

Arabic word for peace, salam • Term does not mean peace with God • Islamist: Recent term for Muslim radicals

LO 1

website, in whole or in part.

Muhammad Ibn Abdullah, the Founder of Islam

• Born in 570 C.E. in Mecca • Orphaned as a boy and became a

wealthy merchant in adulthood after marrying Khadija, a wealthy widow

• Received a command from the angel Gabriel to recite Gabriel’s words from God to others

• Received his first revelation on the night of the 27th day of the month of Ramadan

LO 2

website, in whole or in part.

Themes of early prophetic message

• Only one God exists, Allah • Commands people to believe in this one

God and to submit to God’s holy will • A day of judgment will come

• Those submitted to God will be rewarded forever and others punished eternally

• Generosity to the poor, widows, and orphans; presence and goodness of God in the natural world; and the prophetic call of Muhammad

LO 2

website, in whole or in part.

Muhammad Ibn Abdullah, the Founder of Islam (continued 1)

• Khadija and other immediate family members believed him • Gained some followers from outside his

family • Meccan tribal leaders saw Muslims as a

threat to the city’s economic foundations • Ridiculed Muhammad as a deranged poet

who had performed no signs or miracles • Persecution escalated and Muhammad’s

position in Mecca deteriorated after the death of his uncle and Khadija in 619

LO 2

website, in whole or in part.

Muhammad Ibn Abdullah, the Founder of Islam (continued 2)

➖ Hijra: Flight of Muslims from Mecca to Medina in 622 C.E.

➖ Umma: Organized Muslim community • Muslims organized raids on Meccan

caravans • Continued until the Muslim military victory

over Mecca in the Battle of Badr ➖ Turning point in the fortunes of Islam • Judaism gradually declined in Medina • Direction of prayer changed from Jerusalem

to Mecca

LO 2

website, in whole or in part.

Muhammad Ibn Abdullah, the Founder of Islam (continued 3)

• 629 C.E. – First Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca • Ramadan fast replaced the ten-day fast

connected with Jewish Day of Atonement • Many Arab tribes converted to Islam

while Muhammad controlled Medina • Gained control of Mecca in 630 C.E.

• Removed idolatrous images from the city, leaving only the sacred cubic building and its holy stone

LO 2

website, in whole or in part.

Muhammad Ibn Abdullah, the Founder of Islam (continued 4)

• Kept Mecca as the destination for Muslim pilgrimage and maintained some of its religious sites

• Raised armies to conquer the northern regions of Arabian peninsula, taking on the Christian Byzantine Empire

• Died in Medina in 632

LO 2

website, in whole or in part.

Islam Immediately Following the Death of Muhammad (632–661)

• Muhammad did not publicly name a successor or caliph before his death • The caliph would lead the community in its

political and religious life • Ali, his cousin and son-in-law, was the

leading choice ➖ Many contested Ali’s fitness to rule ➖ Shi’as or Shi’ites: Followers of Ali • Majority consensus among followers was

that Abu Bakr should be the caliph

LO 2

website, in whole or in part.

Islam Immediately Following the Death of Muhammad (632–661) (continued)

➖ Ali’s supporters objected to this ➖ Sunnis: People of the tradition, the

majority of Muslims • Umar replaced Abu Bakr as caliph after

Abu Bakr’s death • Replaced by Uthman, who was replaced by

Ali when Uthman was killed by rebels ➖ Umayyads claimed the caliphate, and the

Sunnis defeated the Shi’as when a war broke out

LO 2

website, in whole or in part.

Islam From the Umayyads Until Today

• Sunni leadership belonged to Umayyad tribe from 661 to 750 C.E. • Remained united for two centuries after

Muhammad’s death • Umayyads were replaced by Abbasid

dynasty • Islam strengthened as a religion, with

greater equality between Arab and non-Arab Muslims

• Religious schools known as Madrasas were established

LO 2

website, in whole or in part.

Islam From the Umayyads Until Today (continued)

• Abbasid rule ended when the Turks took power over Arab rule • Turks lost possession of Palestine during

the Crusades • Muslims conquered Constantinople, and

Turkish Muslim control spread to India • Ottoman Turks took over the empire of

Islam (1300–1923), but it collapsed after World War I

LO 2

website, in whole or in part.

Sunnis and Shi’as

• Death of Caliph Ali brought the lasting formal split between Sunnis and Shi’as • Shi’as claim sons of Ali, Hassan and

Husain, to be the rightful caliphs ➖ Hassan gave up his claim due to illness ➖ Husain’s army battled the Sunnis near

Karbala where he was killed and where the Shi’a army was destroyed ➖ Husain’s death is now viewed as martyrdom

LO 2

website, in whole or in part.

Sunnis and Shi’as (continued 1)

• Each Shi’a leader receives a: • Direct designation of succession from his

predecessor • Supernatural knowledge of Islam to be an

effective leader • Typically live, work, and worship apart

from each other • Shi’as have five additional pillars besides

the Five Pillars common to all Muslims

LO 2

website, in whole or in part.

Sunnis and Shi’as (continued 2)

• Shi’a history has continual internal splits • Three main groups account for the majority

of Shi’as today ➖ Twelvers or Imamites ➖ Seveners or Ismailites ➖ Fivers or Zaidites

LO 2

website, in whole or in part.

Other Influential Muslim Groups

• Sufis • Followers of Islamic mystical movement

Sufism • Wahhabi

• Modern Sunni radical movement begun by Muhammad al-Wahhab

• Muslim Brotherhood • Conservative religious and political

movement founded in 1929

LO 2

website, in whole or in part.

Other Influential Muslim Groups (continued 1)

• Taliban • Students of the Qur’an, a radical Sunni

group in Afghanistan • Considers Muslims who don’t adhere to

their strict attitudes and standards of behavior to be false Muslims and enemies of Islam

• The Islamic State (IS) • Formerly known as The Islamic State of Iraq

and the Levant (ISIL) and The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)

LO 2

website, in whole or in part.

Other Influential Muslim Groups (continued 2)

• Tries to conquer and hold territory • Ferocious in applying its interpretation of

Muslim law to its territories • Moderate Muslim Movements

• Tried to revive the original meaning of the Qur’an using historical methods

• Progressive Muslims view themselves as carrying on in the liberating spirit and original message of Muhammad

• An important part is liberation of Muslim women

LO 2

website, in whole or in part.

Essential Teachings of Islam

• God is one • Teaching that there is only one God forms

the basis and the center of the religion • Angels and spirits

• Created by God to serve God and humans • Muhammad received the Qur’an through the

archangel Gabriel • Qur’an

• Book divinely revealed to Muhammad • Term means recitation

LO 3

website, in whole or in part.

Essential Teachings of Islam (continued 1)

• Divided into 114 chapters called surahs, and each chapter is divided into verses

• Prophets • The Qur’an states that God has revealed

the divine will at key points in human history through prophets

• All the prophets call for submission to the will of God and preparation for an impending judgment

• Muhammad is the culmination and conclusion of the entire line of prophets

LO 3

website, in whole or in part.

Essential Teachings of Islam (continued 2)

• People of the Book • Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians, whose

scriptures are related to the Qur’an • People whose sacred book(s) Muslims view

as in a line of religious development with the Qur’an

• Final Judgment • God will judge people by how they

submitted to God’s will • Those who submit to God’s will enter

heaven, and those who don’t go to hell

LO 3

website, in whole or in part.

Islamic Ethics

• The Hadith: Traditional report recording a saying or action of Muhammad • Sets Muhammad’s life and teaching as an

example of how Muslims should act • Shari’a: Traditional Islamic law

• Developed to guide the implementation of Qur’anic and hadith interpretation

• Considered God’s law for the regulation of all Muslim life

• Most widely used religious law system in the world

LO 4

website, in whole or in part.

Islamic Ethics – Diet and Other Regulations

• Only halal foods may be eaten by Muslims • Halal: Permitted foods and actions

• Foods that are haram may not be eaten • Haram: Forbidden foods and actions

• Drinking of wine is prohibited by the Qur’an

• In general, Muslims must commend what is good and reprimand evil

LO 4

website, in whole or in part.

Islamic Ethics – Marriage and the status of women

• Status of women is determined by view of marriage • Marriage is typically arranged by parents

when children are young • A man may have up to four wives at one

time as long as he provides for them equally and with separate living quarters

• Divorce is simple to obtain for men in most Muslim nations, but not for women

LO 4

website, in whole or in part.

Islamic Ethics – Jihad

• Struggle, both personal, inner struggle and armed struggle for Islam

• Scripture repeatedly commands Muslims to take up arms and fight when necessary on behalf of the community

• Basic principles of the military aspect were drawn up by Abu Bakr from the Qur’an and the practice of Muhammad

LO 4

website, in whole or in part.

Worship – The Five Pillars of Islam

• Shahada: Fundamental confession of faith • There is no god but God, and Muhammad is

God’s prophet • Prayer

• Each Muslim says the ritual prayers, salat, five times a day

• Mosque: Building for formal Muslim worship ➖ When women pray in the mosque, they

are out of the men’s sight

LO 5

website, in whole or in part.

Worship – The Five Pillars of Islam (continued 1)

• Worshippers pray in straight lines facing the direction of Mecca

• One’s body is active in prayer, and the actions represent submission to God

• Fasting • Muslims are required to observe

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