UNIT 4 Theology Midterm

Islam: Key Terms to Know

Abrahamic Faith(s): meaning?

Gabri'el: means 'Mouth of God'; the only angel between mentioned in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic scripture, as well as other religious traditions.

Root meaning of Muslim

means 'to submit' (i.e. the Will of God)

Root meaning of Salam

means peace: Jewish version is Shalom

Allah

Arabic word for "the God," used by Muslims for the one, singular, all-powerful Creator

mosque

a dedicated space for Islamic worship, community, and education, with the first recognized as Prophet Muhammad’s home in Medina

Qur’an (Koran)

the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be the direct, literal word of God (Allah) revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in Arabic through the angel Gabriel over roughly 23 years.

Hadith/sunna

In Islam, Hadith and Sunna both mean tradition. The Sunna is basically commentary on the Qur'an, which was built up during the early centuries of Islam.

The Hadith, as I understand it, centers on the sayings of the Prophet, highlighting his role as the Exemplar for all Muslims.

Shariah

The divine law, derived from the Qur’an and the Sunna, encompassing all and setting forth in detail how Muslims are to live.

Hijra

an Islamic term for the migration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina

Ka’baa

a stone cubical structure in the courtyard of the Great Mosque of Mecca. This structure is believed to have been built by Abraham, and it has been a site of religious significance since pre-Islamic times. Muslims regard the Ka‘ba as the navel of the earth and as their geographic sacred center.

Sunnis and Shi’a

It is drawn from a longer phrase referring to the people who follow the established custom, or sunna, meaning the Sunna of the Prophet.

Jihad: ‘Struggle’: Personal, Social, Political

Jihad means “exertion or struggle” on a person's level. 

Jihad can refer to the individual's spiritual struggle against anything that detracts from venerating Allah and from acting in accordance with the divine will.

Imam

The leader of the Friday worship service who directs the prayers and delivers a sermon.

For Shi‘i Islam, an early successor to Muham mad and leader of Islam (most Shi‘is acknowledge twelve Imams), believed to have special spiritual insight

5 Pillars of Islam

Specific religious and ethical requirements for Muslims: 

the confession of faith (Shahada), prayer or worship, fasting during Ramadan, wealth sharing, and the pilgrimage to Mecca

Caliph: successor to Muhammad

(Arabic: “successors”)

The military and political leaders of the Muslim community who succeeded Muhammad after his death.

Sufis

An adherent of Sufism, the form of Islam characterized by a mystical approach to Allah, who is experienced inwardly.

Ramadan

The ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, a period during which Muslims fast, in accordance with the third of the Five Pillars

5 times of daily prayer: How determined

It is determined by the sun. They pray in the early morning (sunrise), midday, sunset, and evening.

How has Muslim civilization contributed to Western civilization? 

Muslim civilization shaped Western civilization by serving as a bridge for ancient knowledge and driving innovations during the Islamic Golden Age. There were many advancements in things like math,science, and medicine.

How are the Qur’an and the Bible different?

Qur’an

• Believed to be the exact word of God revealed to Muhammad.

• Written in Arabic and considered unchanged.

• Focuses on guidance, law, and worship.

• Recited in prayers.

• Theology is the main thing, Allah speaks directly, and there are little to no stories

Bible

• Includes the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and Christian New Testament.

• Written by many authors over centuries.

• Contains stories, history, poetry, prophecy, and teachings.

• Believed by Christians to be inspired by God, but humans wrote it.

• God talks in third person, there are lots of stories, God shows up once in a while.

Why do Muslims tend to read the Qur’an literally?

Muslims tend to read the Qur'an literally because it is the direct 'Word of God', spoken in the first person. This makes it difficult to offer new interpretations to their meaning and application for a new, modern world.

How do Muslims understand the relationship between Hebrew, Christian, and Muslim scriptures?

Muslims view Hebrew and Christian scriptures as divinely inspired but incomplete. They were ‘partial revelations’ that communicated divine truth and will, but were ultimately misunderstood, or more often ignored. This is compared with their view of the Qur’an (Koran) as the complete and perfect divine revelation that forever completes Allah’s revelation to humanity; similar to the Roman Catholic Church’s understanding that God’s revelation ended with the death of the last apostle. The final revelation (for Christians) won’t be until the second coming of Christ Jesus at the End of Days, the Apocalypse: don’t need to know this last part by the way.

What is the cultural significance of poets in Arabian culture?

Poets in Arabian society: seen as valuable (essential) preservers of the tribes great victories and defeats

How do Muslims view Mary and Jesus?

Muslims honor Mary as a holy, chosen woman and believe she gave birth to Jesus as a virgin. Muslims view Jesus as a great prophet, not divine, who performed miracles by God’s will.