ISLAM FOR BEGINNERS BRS 107.pdf - CUEA

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e a great mistake if Christians nowadays, as those of medieval times, continue to regardthe Qur'an as equivalent to the Bible.The Qur'an is the basic material for Muslim education. In other words, the Qur'an,especially in Arabic language, plays a very important role in educating children and othercategories of Muslims. However, Islamic and particularly Qur’anic ethics must beunderstood and evaluated not just in itself; but also in relation to what it came to replace orimprove upon. That is the ethics of pre-Islamic Arabian society. It can also be betterunderstood when compared with other ethical systems, notably the philosophical ethics ofthe Greeks and Christian ethics.Islamic Ethics is built on the Qur’an (Revealed book) and the Hadith (Life and acts ofMuhammad and his companions). These constitute the Islamic Law (Sharìa). They mightbe more sources of this ethics (Ijma and Qiyas) but the Qur’an and the Hadith are the mostimportant. As said above, there is no Islam without the Qur’an because Islam begins inand with the Qur’an; therefore, we can convincingly state that there is no Islamic ethicswithout the Qur’an. This means that the Qur’an cannot be compared to any other text inIslam. Some scholars state that the Qur’an is the only source of Islam; the Hadith is itsfirst interpretation. Thus we limit these notes to the Qur’anic Ethics.Islamic ethics has a structure: Creation, maintenance, guidance, judgment. In otherwords, we have God’s initiative in creating the universe; He guides it. Then we haveman’s response, and God as the final end. We need structures in order to familiarize withand know the truth of the matters.1. God’s initiativeFirst, in Islam, God is well known as Akbar (He is great, one, all-knowing, almighty andabsolute). This attribute legitimates his transcendence and his being different from otherbeings. He is the Creator of all, including man. “Everything in heaven and on earthsubmits to God willingly or unwillingly” (3:83). Man is likewise called to submit to Godvoluntarily. That is why Islam is defined as submission to the will of Allah. The secondaction of God is maintenance and guidance. Allah maintains creation and guides hispeople in the right path through his Word: ”This the Book, there is no doubt, it the Book ofguidance” (S. 2:2-4). He guides them to Islam; that is to do submit to him, to do his will, tofollow his laws (Sharìa), The expression “In sha allah”(If Allah wills) that MuslimsFrederic N. Mvumbi,OP Page 56 of 85
pronounce find its meaning here. Everything done seeks the will of Allah. He also guidesthem through the prophets (Moses, David, Jesus, Muhammad).The words Niama and fadl (grace or favor) express God’s favor and kindness. It isbelieved that through this, Allah gives all blessings of life, strengths faith and protects themfrom evil. “Were it not for God’s mercy and favor to you, most of you would have followedSatan” (S.14:83).2. Response by IslamFirst, Islam as submission to the will of Allah, is expressed by faith; this impliesthankfulness. This is opposed to the concept –kufr- which means ingratitude and unbelief.It also implies to Christians (5:72-73; 10:68).Secondly, Islam is also expressed by obedience. Muslims obey not only to God but alsoto Muhammad and others: “Obey God, the Messenger and those who are in authority fromamong yourselves” (4:59; 4:83).Thirdly, Islam means belonging to the Muslim community: “The believers are brothers, somake peace among your brothers” (49:10). This recommendation seems discriminatory,for peace is done only to the brothers; that is Muslims to other Muslims. Muslims believethat they form the best community of people on earth: “You are the best community raisedup among mankind, commanding what is good and forbidding what is evil” (s. 3”110).This, if followed, would be a great principle for all moral acts since the end of each ethicalact is good. It is said in philosophical ethics that what is good must absolutely be done;what is evil must absolutely be avoided. I add that good must absolutely be done evenwhen it is bitter; evil must absolutely be done even when it is sweet. Muslims might befollowing this principle; but what is good, for the Muslims, that it should be done? And whatis evil, for the Muslims, that it should be avoided? Our African culture comes in to shedsome light when we say “Mutoto wa nyoka ni nyoka”.The Qur’an divides humanity into two clearly opposite types of people: the believers andthe unbelievers. *The believer is marked with certain features: respect, reverence,thankfulness, submission, sincerity, being in the right direction, being guided by Allah,truth, knowledge, and repentance.Frederic N. Mvumbi,OP Page 57 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 14 and 15: 1.2 Religious Context1. Arabian Tra
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 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
Page 64 and 65: commands and laws; 21 they are, ind
Page 66 and 67: Al-FATIHAIt is asserted that chrono
Page 68 and 69: The sura begins with three huruf (l
Page 70 and 71: In reviewing the ayats that mention
Page 72 and 73: terms such as God loves them, belie
Page 74 and 75: The fundamental difference between
Page 76 and 77: The two theories are also present i
Page 78 and 79: application and groups debating its
Page 80 and 81: very prominent and successful in Af
Page 82 and 83: suitable gift, the wealthy accordin
Page 85: Although we admit that we can have
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