Final RELIG201

Canon

the official collection of texts that a religious community recognizes as sacred and authoritative scripture, and a foundation for doctrine and religious practice.The standard source of religious teaching and belief.

Sentence:
Early Christian leaders debated which writings should be included in the biblical canon, eventually forming the New Testament.

Sunnah

actions, sayings, and ways of behaving of the Prophet Muhammad that serve as a model for Muslims. These traditions show how the teachings of the Qur’an should be applied in everyday life. Its a major source of guidance for Islamic belief/law.

Sentence:
Muslims follow the Sunnah of Muhammad when trying to live according to Islamic principles.

Sanad

the chain of transmitters who passed down a hadith report. Each narrator links the story back to the Prophet Muhammad or a companion.

Sentence:
Islamic scholars analyze the sanad of a hadith to determine whether the report is authentic

Matn

the actual content of a hadith report. It records the message, teaching, or event connected to the Prophet Muhammad.

Sentence:
Scholars examine the matn to make sure its meaning does not contradict established Islamic teachings.

Sahih Bukhari

First hadith collection of the 6 Books of Sunni Islam, compiled by al-Bukhari. One of the most reliable sources of Islamic tradition.

Sentence:
Many Sunni scholars study Sahih Bukhari to learn about the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad.

Messiah

an anointed leader who will fulfill a special mission from God. Associated with the line of King David. Will restore justice, bring peace, and renew the relationship between God and people of Israel.

Repentance

act of turning away from sin and seeking forgiveness from God. Sins fail to follow God’s commandments. Through repentance, a person acknowledges wrongdoing and commits to changing their behavior.

Secularization

the process in which religion becomes less influential in society. As societies modernize, religion may play a smaller role in the community. Religious beliefs and practices often become more private and personal.

Modernization

the social changes associated with the development of modern society. These changes include industrialization, scientific progress, and new political systems such as democracy. Transforms traditional cultural and religious structures.

Sentence:

Due to modernization, people may reconsider the role religion plays in public life.

Diaspora

a population that has been scattered from its original homeland to other regions. In Jewish history, diaspora communities formed after events such as exile and conquest. Jews living in different countries maintained their religious traditions even while surrounded by other cultures.