MEST B210 Quiz 2 Review

Dhikr

• Recollection, either by way of praising God or reciting his 99 names

• Can be employed as a form of meditative prayer, or also a way to invoke certain wishes (the latter being most relevant to this)

Sama

• Form of Dhikr

• Auditory practice of listening to recollective music and poetry to induce a trance-like, meditative, or ecstatic state to gain closeness with God

Ahl al-Bayt

• “People of the House”

• Term describing the Prophet’s family and biological relatives

• Although now they are almost wholly revered or remembered with respect, in the context of early post-6th century Islam, their legitimacy or competency as successors of the Prophet (as well as who should be deemed worthy to assume such a role to begin) with were of heavy contestation and controversy

  • So much so that this gave way to poltiical conflict, and perhaps most notoriously, by extension the Karbala massacre and the First Fitna.

Khatim al-Anbiya’

• “Seal of the Prophet”

• Contested relic that was owned by the Prophet and subsequently Abu Bakr and Umar, the two Rashidun caliphs, and Uthman, but was lost

Sunna

• The practices, actions, sayings, and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad

• These formulate the bases for Sharia law, ideas on how religious succession should be undertaken (in the context of the Sunni-Shia divide), and in general, what Muslims should follow and aspire to achieve.

• Hadith is the recollection or recording of sunnahs.

Mawlid

• The celebration of the prophet’s birthday

• Encompasses things like a decadent feast, dhikr, poetry recitation and music

• Aside from its obvious religious significance, it is also a communal and social event

Awliyah’ Allah

• “Friends of God”

• General term for pious people who strive to attain sainthood (“Wali”)

• Characterized by immense, deep devotion, and a lifelong commitment to emulate God’s ways

• Are discreet and partake nonetheless in secular life, but as a vessel for their worship to God/to ensure they can take care of inherent worldly needs

Baraka

• The spiritual power or blessing that God imbues into someone or something, such as the Qur’an, or to a wali who thus performs Karamat

• It is seen as the force that maintains equilibrium in the world and is a testament to God’s power

• To seek Barakah’s protection, people may invoke prayers or visit holy sites

Karamat

• The miracles that Sufi saints perform

• Unlike other religions, these do not inherently determine whether a saint is deemed worthy of sainthood; however, it is still seen as a testament to their capabilities

• These stem from Baraka, the spiritual essence and power bestowed onto such a figure from God

Ziyarat

• Pilgrimages to holy sites, in particular those pertaining to the Prophet, his family (Ahl al-Bayt) and closest confidants, successors, or Sufi Saints

• These are not mandated as part of the Hajj pilgrimage nor do they presuppose the same structure, but can be conducted after or around the Hajj

  • In other words, it is not inherently “necessary” but doing so would indicate one’s devotion and extra piety

Mazar

• A shrine, tomb, or mausoleum erected to commemorate a saint or a particularly important religious figure.

• Distinct from mosques as they are not intended for prayer; however, there can most definitely be architectural commonalities, and additionally, mazars are not often erected in isolation but also adjacent to such spaces

• Today, they serve as pilgrimage points and sites for people to pay respects to such figures, and in turn, become closer with God

Taswiyat al-Qubur

• The leveling or destruction of graves to prevent excessive veneration

• Associated with reformist movements that oppose shrine practices

  • The goal is to maintain strict monotheism and avoid idolatry

Ghadir Khum

• The site where Prophet Muhammad is believed by Shi‘a Muslims to have designated Ali as his successor

• Central to Shi‘i claims about leadership after the Prophet

• Sunnis interpret it differently, emphasizing respect rather than succession

Muharram

• The first month of the Islamic calendar and holds special significance in Shi‘i Islam

• Commemorates the martyrdom of Husayn at Karbala

• Ritual mourning practices are especially observed during this time

Ta’ziyeh

• The dramatic reenactment of the Karbala massacre

• Significant not only for the above reasons but because of what it may reveal about Islamic worship; for instance, only men historically were allowed to act in these recitations

  • Women’s roles in the actual Karbala massacre have been historically overshadowed

Rowzeh Khani

• The recitation of elegies mourning the tragedy of Karbala

• Performed during Muharram gatherings

• The recitations aim to evoke emotional connection and remembrance.

Khanaqah

• Sufi lodge where practitioners live, study, and worship

• Serves as a center for spiritual training and communal life

• These institutions were key to spreading Sufism.

Silsila

• The spiritual lineage connecting a Sufi master to earlier teachers and ultimately to the Prophet Muhammad

• Establishes legitimacy and authority within a Sufi order

• Each tariqa (school of thought) maintains its own silsila

Tariqa

• Sufi order or path of spiritual development

• Provides structured practices and guidance under a master

• Tariqas played a major role in spreading Islam across regions.

Nizamiyya Madrasa

• Network of educational institutions founded in the 11th century

• Promoted Sunni orthodoxy and trained scholars in law and theology

• Helped standardize Islamic education

Adab

• Proper conduct, etiquette, and cultured behavior in Islamic society

• Includes manners, ethics, and literary refinement

  • In Sufism, it also governs the relationship between student and teacher; sacred etiquette and respect which is crucial to upholding the master-disciple relationship

4-Iwan Layout

• The 4-iwan layout is an architectural design featuring four vaulted halls around a central courtyard

• Became common in madrasas and mosques, especially in Iran and Central Asia

• This design structured both educational and religious space.

1. Why has the figure of the Prophet Muhammad held such an important place in Islamic spirituality? In which ways have Muslims shown reverence for him and celebrated him? (Discuss at least 3 specific ways, and at least one should have an artistic/architectural component).

• He serves as perhaps, at least in second to God Himself, the highest role model that a proper muslim should follow; his words and actions inherently undergird the bases of Islam, such as Sharia law (Sunna) and the ongoing controversy between Sunni and Shia Islam over religious succession

• Ways he has been celebrated:

  • Mawlid - Celebration of the Prophet’s birthday

    • Involves a decadent feast, poetry recitations and dhikr which venerate and exalt the prophet, music, and also often fasting

    • Communal celebration that brings muslims together

  • The Prophet's Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi)/The Green Dome in Medina

    • Resting place for Muhammad

    • Also houses Abu Bakr and Umar, the two Rashidun Caliphs

    • Serves as a pilgrimage site where people further venerate the Prophet and by extension grow closer to God

      • Not necessarily part of the Hajj pilgrimage but devout pilgrims visit it after anyway

  • Involving his name both as a reminder to follow his ways, but also in things like prayer, calligraphic engravements

    • Coins, jewelry, amulets, talismans

    • Reminder to act in his image and also love him over one’s family, which shows utmost devotion to him

2. How did/do mazars differ from other Islamic religiously-oriented architecture? Why did they become such a popular focus of spiritual practice in the Late Middle Period (1258-1453)?

• Mazars, or shrines, differ from mosques by focusing on saints rather than communal prayer. They became popular due to belief in baraka and saintly intercession. Socially, they also served as community hubs and pilgrimage sites.

• They became popular in the Late Middle Period due to the rise in Sufism’s popularity, and thus the investment of more Sufi lodges (khanaqahs) that were in these Mazars

  • They were also erected by rulers as a display of devotion and to somehow solidify their legitimacy as divine rulers

    • Ex. Mamluk mosque of Sultan Hasan

3. How did the tragic events of Karbala in 680 C.E. influence early Shi’i piety and inform ritual practices of Ashura? (you can discuss this in terms of various time periods and regions; however, make sure to clarify where/when you are talking about)

• Karbala became the central paradigm for Shi'i piety, transforming the tragedy into a cosmic struggle between good and evil. Early Shi'i piety focused on weeping and mourning as redemptive acts to share in Husayn's suffering and seek salvation through his intercession on the Day of Judgment.

• Abbasid period, Baghdad: First became a public event

• Safavid period, Iran: Ta’ziyeh and chain beating

4. Discuss at least one theory on the origins of the Sufi tariqa that you find convincing. Why did the institution of the tariqa become so widespread across the Muslim world in the Middle Periods (discuss at least 2 reasons)?

5. Describe the various aspects of esoteric training that a Sufi novice would undertake to become a full-fledged Sufi and that Sufis more generally would undertake to cultivate a nearness to God. How did the institutional and architectural structures of medieval society facilitate these forms of training and ritual practice?

• Novices practiced dhikr, meditation, and strict discipline under a master. They followed adab and progressed through spiritual stages. Institutions like khanaqahs provided structure, support, and communal learning.