ISLAM FOR BEGINNERS BRS 107.pdf - CUEA

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1.2 Religious Context1. Arabian Traditional Religion: Arabians held first a fatalistic view of the world; theybelieved in impersonal forces in nature. According to them, they were natural forceseverywhere, which made water to flow, and plants to grow. As time went on, these forcesturned to be known as spirits or idols. This was considered as idolatry but it soon turnedinto polytheism, for they worship those idols as gods. So they believed in many gods.This polytheism developed into henotheism that is the worship of many gods but one issupreme. Arabians, therefore, believed in an overall God called Allah, but turned mostly tolesser divinities for their needs. There was already a form of monotheism during the timeof Muhammad. In one way or the other, Arabians expressed a great religiousdissatisfaction.2. Zoroastrism: This religious culture came from the Persians was also present in Arabia.Note that Zoroastrism is a dualistic religion because it preaches the belief in two creatorsat the beginning: Ahura Mazda, the creator of life and goodness; Ahrimon, the creator ofevil and death.3. Judaism: Judaism was present in Yatrib (Madina) but since it is not a missionaryreligion, it was a very closed culture just for the Jews.4. Judeo-Christianity: This was the form of Christianity well known to Arabians that it wasthe most influential religious culture. The Qur’an makes several references to it. Thetradition says that Abraham was neither a Christian nor a Jew but a worshipper of oneGod. He was a Hanif. The Qur’anic word Nasara for the Christians derived from it, theQur’an accepts no prophets between Aaron and Christ; this appears in the Qur’an. TheJudeo-Christians with Muslims accept the Torah in part and the Gospel revealed to Jesusas the only inspired Scriptures. The Judeo-Christians and the Muslims considered the OldTestament as corrupt and distorted. The Judeo-Christians and the Muslims are devoted todaily ablutions for the forgiveness of sins.5. Christianity: Christianity, which was divided into many sects, was present in theperipheries of Makka, particularly in Najran. Muhammad must have met some Christianheretics as he went to Najran for trade.Frederic N. Mvumbi,OP Page 14 of 85
It is very important to know that religiously; the entire society of Arabia and of Makka inparticular, was evolving towards a new life, perhaps a better one. Arabian TraditionalReligions evolved from animism to idolatry and from Idolatry to polytheism and frompolytheism to henotheism. Judaism, however, was present but limited to the Jews alone.Christianity was there in the peripheries of Makka but divided into numerous sects. This isthe situation that was in vogue towards the end of 6 th century. Muhammad’scontemporaries, though still rooted in their tradition, sought for a new way of life to fill thevacuum, which was created by the political, social-economic and religious status. Who willbring this social-political change? Who will fight against poverty and injustice and build aharmonious society? Who will bring a religion that will satisfy Arabians?We believe that any historical event is influenced by the existing cultures; historicallyspeaking, Muhammad must have been influenced by these cultures, events and ideaspresent in Arabia, as we will identify some in the course of this subject. He certainly tooksome and rejected some others. Perhaps he modified and adapted some ideas to go wellwith his views. Nonetheless, he had his own integrity and identity, which brings up hisoriginality, though he borrowed. His originality might be shown in the way he handledwhatever he received from Makka and its surroundings.Study Questions 3What do you know about the cultural,economic and political context of Arabiabefore Islam?What tells you that Islam was influencedby the existing religions of the time ofMuhammad?If Islam was influenced by the time inwhich Muhammad lived, do you believethat he received a revelation?Differentiate influences and revelation inthe building of Islam as a religion.Frederic N. Mvumbi,OP Page 15 of 85
Page 1 and 2: ISLAM FOR BEGINNERSA Handout for te
Page 3: 2. Islam, known and unknownWhat is
Page 6 and 7: ut also a cause of unity of all the
Page 8 and 9: ja⎺far said that he had, the Negu
Page 10 and 11: outlined in the preceding paragraph
Page 12 and 13: LESSON 4A BRIEF HISTORY OF ISLAM1.
Page 16 and 17: Summary 3Islam is a historical even
Page 18 and 19: captured many animals, including tw
Page 20 and 21: Muhammad claimed to have received h
Page 22 and 23: -In case of war with anybody all pa
Page 24 and 25: -The Jews must bear their own expen
Page 26 and 27: Summary 5 and 6Muhammad was a Makka
Page 28 and 29: everything in Islamism begins with
Page 30 and 31: “Say. Shall we call on others bes
Page 32 and 33: we have provided for them.” (s.2:
Page 34 and 35: Allah and his words: follow him tha
Page 36 and 37: Summary 7This chapter is the centra
Page 38 and 39: and told us to shroud her in it.”
Page 40 and 41: on Friday (the day of assembly), ha
Page 42 and 43: LESSON 9SHARIÀ, ISLAMIC LAWThere a
Page 44 and 45: The primary sources of SharìaMusli
Page 46 and 47: Sharià indicates not only what ind
Page 48 and 49: influences that Muhammad must have
Page 50 and 51: Even among Muslims, Sharìa a law i
Page 52 and 53: We wonder whether Shari'a has ever
Page 54 and 55: Study Questions 9What is Sharià an
Page 56 and 57: e a great mistake if Christians now
Page 58 and 59: *The unbeliever is also marked with
Page 60 and 61: LESSON 11LEADERSHIP IN ISLAMWe must
Page 62 and 63: 1. LEADERSHIP, QUID?Since all cultu
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commands and laws; 21 they are, ind
Page 66 and 67:
Al-FATIHAIt is asserted that chrono
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The sura begins with three huruf (l
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In reviewing the ayats that mention
Page 72 and 73:
terms such as God loves them, belie
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The fundamental difference between
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The two theories are also present i
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application and groups debating its
Page 80 and 81:
very prominent and successful in Af
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suitable gift, the wealthy accordin
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Although we admit that we can have
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