Islam – The Personal and Social Life of Islam

Living Islam

Care of the Body

The body ultimately belongs to not to the individual but to God.

There we can celebrate physical joys while controlling desires

The body is kept clean – ritual washing

Clothing should be neither overly seductive nor overly luxurious – fashionable is OK

Perfume - OK

Care of the Body

Regulates diet (Shari’ah regulates between permitted and forbidden food – pork and alcohol are forbidden)

Sexuality is celebrated – one of Allah’s greatest gifts, but only to be enjoyed within marriage

Premarital and extra-marital sex as well as lustful thoughts, homosexuality and prostitution are all forbidden

Marriage Traditionally arranged by

parents Dating is generally not

practiced Marriage is first and

foremost a legal contract; love is expected to grow later.

Contrasts sharply with the Western perspective of marriage and the emphasis places on ‘romantic love’

Women in Islam

Status of Women in Islam - a controversial issue

Western critics tend to accuse Islam of being chauvinistic and of denying basic rights to women

Muslim, tend to be frustrated and irritated by these accusations

The Qur’an, and the ideals of Islam, regard men and women as equals, but with different roles. These ideals are realized in daily life. Men – public, women – within the family

Women and Islam continued

Specific points of contention commonly cited by Western critics:

1. Divorce

Shari’ ah Law on divorce: Either the husband or wife can

initiate a divorce, although traditionally it has been easier for the man

repudiation – a man can divorce his wife simply by stating, “I divorce you” 3 x. In some Muslim countries this practice is no-longer legal

Muhammad denounced divorce although it falls under those acts categorized as a “permitted” act

Women and Islam continued

Specific points of contention commonly cited by Western critics:

2. Polygamy

Muhammad even had multiple wives after the death of Khadija – for political unification

Shari’ ah Law on polygamy: Technically allowed but

with limits“You may marry other women

who seem good to you: Two, three, or four of them. But if you fear that you cannot maintain equality among them, marry one only” Qur’an 4:3

Polygamy good in times of warfare when there are many more women than men, or if a woman is widowed – its better to be one of many than alone

Women and Islam continued

Specific points of contention commonly cited by Western critics:

3. Covering (wearing a Veil)

Pre-Arabic practice of Arabia

Shari’ ah Law on covering:“If you ask the Prophet’s wives

for anything, speak to them from behind a curtain. This is more chaste fro your heart and their hearts” Qur’an 33:35

Interpretations can range from total covering to covering one’s head while in public

For many in the West it is a personal choice – a way for women to identify themselves as women and embrace their own cultural heritage

Jihad “Struggle”

Jihad meaning struggle

Applies to all aspects of Islamic life

Sometimes considered the sixth pillar

Personal Jihad: Refers to an

individual’s spiritual struggle against anything distracting them from revering Allah

Social Jihad: Refers to the struggle

to preserve the order that Allah as willed for the world

Jihad “Struggle”

Jihad – The Controversy

Jihad – armed struggle, sometimes understood to mean ‘holy war’

The Qur’an however, supports armed struggle for the sake of Islam only if it is done in self-defense

Expansion and Varieties of Islam

Only two major historical divisions: Sunnism and Shi’ism

Sufism – Mystical form of Islam draws from both Sunnism and Shi’ism

Expansion of Islamic Civilization Muhammad’s death – 638 C.E. Muslims led by caliphs (successors) chosen by the community 1st caliph – Muhammad’s father-in-law, Abu Bakr1. During this time, all of Arabia is unified under Islam2. 100 years after Muhammad’s death, Islam is the religion of they

entire Middle East, Persia, North Africa, most of Spain

Islam and culture

Muslims lived side by side Christians and Jews in Europe

Fostered literary, arts, mathematic culture while the rest of Europe endured the Dark Ages

Al-jabar ?– invented by the Muslims Ancient Greek and Roman texts survived

the Dark Ages in their Arabic form

Islam in the USA

1998 – between 4 and 6 million Muslim live in the USA 40% of this Muslim population is made up of African Americans 20% of Africans brought to North America as slaves were Muslim Some African Americans have argued that Islam is better suited for

their community since they regard Christianity as the religion of their white oppressors

Nation of Islam – established in 1930 with the goal of resurrecting the spiritual, mental, social and economic condition of the black men and women of America

they distinguish themselves from followers of the original religion of Islam by stating: WE BELIEVE that Allah (God) appeared in the Person of Master W. Fard Muhammad, July, 1930; the long-awaited "Messiah" of the Christians and the "Mahdi" of the Muslims

Historical Divisions Within Islam

Sunni and Shi’i Common Ground Brotherhood and sisterhood of

Muslims One Arabic version of the Qur’an Share the Sunnah of the Prophet 5 pillars

Historical Divisions Within Islam

Sunnism People who follow the established

custom, or sunnah About 87% of all MuslimsShi’ism Comes from shi’at Ali – “Partisans of

Ali”- who was the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad

Historical Divisions Within Islam - Shi’I continued

Ali, passed over 3x before being names a caliph, and then was assassinated

Resulted in the Shi’i movement by Muslims believing Ali was Muhammad’s true successor

Husayn (Ali’s son) was assassinated in 680 C.E. – caused those Muslims that supported Ali to consolidate into a distinct form of Islam

Husayn’s martyrdom is observed within Shi’i Islam and he is revered as a great hero

Historical Divisions Within Islam - Shi’i continued Shi’ism can now be distinguished in terms of geography –

Iraq, Iran, have Shi’i majorities, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Pakistan have significant Shi’i populations

Shi-i

Shi’ism observes the figure of Iman – While not a prophet, is believed to have special spiritual insight and a true earthly authority

Believe there have been 12 Imams, all descendents from Muhammad through his daughter Fatima and her husband, Muhammad’s cousin Ali

Last of the Imams is Muhammad al-Mahdi – he will return to restore Islam and bring on the Day of Judgment

Sufi – Islamic Mysticism

Sufism strive to experience Allah as immanent, dwelling within the worshiper

There is no god except God… there is nothing but God – meaning that the worshiper, too, must be one with God. A guiding principle of Sufism – to experience the oneness with Allah

Brings about controversy with orthodox Muslims

Sufi methods Sufism is made up of

groups called ‘orders’ – like Christian monasticism

Each order is led by a shaykh – master or teacher

Shaykh leaders disciples through a variety of exercises to help them achieve union with God

Exercises include: chanting, breathing exercises, and dance