Chapter 8- Sufism
- The two main divisions of Islam are Sunni- Traditionalists (87%, West and East) and Shi'ite- Descendants should succeed Muhammad (Iraq and Iran).
- Another split is found in exoteric (literal) Muslims and esoteric (mystic/Sufi) Muslims.
- The Sufis are trying to contact God in this lifetime and use magic and the use of the mysticisms of love, ecstasy (visions) , and intuition.
- Symbolism is vital to the Sufi practice. The "science of relation between science and reality". This is an abstract way of approaching the magical beliefs.
- Dhikr or to remember is used to supplement the abstract element of symbolism. This is something that is widely controversial, but the eso and exoterics of Islam have figured out how to live in peace.
Islam has several major divisions but one of the broad ones that impact the practice of Islam is Sufism. This mystic approach to Islam is in the attempt to find God in this life. They are known as esoteric Muslims and use things like symbolism and abstraction to explain and analyze their beliefs.
Chapter 9- Whither Islam?
- Islam is historically one of the richest religions on this planet.
- It has included some of the brightest minds that changed the thinking of their time.
- The growth is not confined to the past and the religion continues to see potential even after years of stagnation.
- The religion faces great problems, especially with the west and modernization.
- The future is bright as the massive religion grows and progresses to renew its former glory.
Islam has many problems in the modern world and a rich history to back up on. It shows great potential for growth despite its problems and may one day reach the glory of its past.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Huston Smith Part 3
Chapter 6- The Five Pillars
- Islam is used as a directive the to keep Muslims on the right path, straight- explicit.
- The Five Pillars are instructions on how to lead life.
- The Shahadah is a proclamation that there is no god but God.
- This is focused by a daily prayer requirement to create a foundation for all Muslims, and a Koranic revelation told everyone to pray towards Mecca.
- Charity, Ramadan, and the Hajj are the remaining pillars and provide further instruction on how to live a life.
The Five Pillars are one of the most important parts of Muslim life. They are used as a guide to how
to act and practice properly. It creates a foundation among all Muslims and their practice and creates an explicit way to praise God. Doing good is praised and the life of a Muslim is guided by these 5 requirements.
Chapter 7- Social Teachings
- Islam stresses equality and the brotherhood of all Muslims. This is represented by the peace that overcame Arabia after its introduction and the difference to before.
- The explicitness of interpersonal relations is key to its importance in Islamic society, and therefore eliminates personal interpretation.
- Economics shows up in the Koran through breaking traditions like inheritance to the eldest son.
- Womens rights changed dramatically with Islam; however, traditions like polygamy are frowned upon from the west.
- Tolerance and in aggression are encouraged as well as living equally with other races. This is supported by the violence found in other religions.
Islam has a strong social standing in the lives of all Muslims. This is found through the social standards and expectations that are outlined in the Koran. Equality and peace as well as brotherhood and tolerance are all encouraged. However, these, like in any religion, are not seen in every Mulsims practice everywhere. The social standards of Islam changed Arabia of its time. It may now be seen as falling back on these goals from the west, but the religion must be judged in respect of its core beliefs, not few extremists.
- Islam is used as a directive the to keep Muslims on the right path, straight- explicit.
- The Five Pillars are instructions on how to lead life.
- The Shahadah is a proclamation that there is no god but God.
- This is focused by a daily prayer requirement to create a foundation for all Muslims, and a Koranic revelation told everyone to pray towards Mecca.
- Charity, Ramadan, and the Hajj are the remaining pillars and provide further instruction on how to live a life.
The Five Pillars are one of the most important parts of Muslim life. They are used as a guide to how
to act and practice properly. It creates a foundation among all Muslims and their practice and creates an explicit way to praise God. Doing good is praised and the life of a Muslim is guided by these 5 requirements.
Chapter 7- Social Teachings
- Islam stresses equality and the brotherhood of all Muslims. This is represented by the peace that overcame Arabia after its introduction and the difference to before.
- The explicitness of interpersonal relations is key to its importance in Islamic society, and therefore eliminates personal interpretation.
- Economics shows up in the Koran through breaking traditions like inheritance to the eldest son.
- Womens rights changed dramatically with Islam; however, traditions like polygamy are frowned upon from the west.
- Tolerance and in aggression are encouraged as well as living equally with other races. This is supported by the violence found in other religions.
Islam has a strong social standing in the lives of all Muslims. This is found through the social standards and expectations that are outlined in the Koran. Equality and peace as well as brotherhood and tolerance are all encouraged. However, these, like in any religion, are not seen in every Mulsims practice everywhere. The social standards of Islam changed Arabia of its time. It may now be seen as falling back on these goals from the west, but the religion must be judged in respect of its core beliefs, not few extremists.
Huston Smith Part 2
Chapter 4- The Standing Miracle
- Muhammad wrote the 114 chapters or surahs of the Qu'ran while barely literate and is described as beyond belief.
- The Qu'ran is scribed from voice segments over 23 years to Muhammad, from bells to Gabriel.
- The Qu'ran reads confusing to a european but in Arabic it is the sounds and rhythm that make it stand out.
- The text, though accepting of the old and new testaments that have been altered in translation, takes on a largely doctrinal and mildly historical tone.
- The Qu'ran is central to the Islamic beliefs and deeps each muslims personal journey.
This chapter focused on the Qu'ran and specifically the way it is written. It is a difficult text for foreigners to understand due to the language and methods at sharing the message. It retells a lot of stories from Jewish or Christian texts but clarifies them and validates discrepancies as lost in translation. The most memorized book in the world is vital to the practice of every muslim all over the world.
Chapter 5- Basic Theological Concepts
- Islam is in foundational, similar to its predecessors and focuses on the idea of the ultimate God.
- Islam is prided upon the idea that it is the only true monotheistic religion.
- God must not be brought down to human standards or given representation to prevent confusion of the two worlds.
- God is presented as graceful and peaceful and his wrath is kept to 17 lines compared to 192 references to his joy.
- Life is seen as a gift from God and Muslims must "surrender" to his power, and there will eventually be a reckoning where all actions will be judged.
Islam is based on simple concepts that bring the whole religion together. The belief in one all powerful God is one of the most important of these concepts. The peace of this God and the importance of becoming Muslim or surrendering to God is very important as well. This is because God created humans. Eventually ones life will reach judgement day where all actions will be judged to reduce falsities.
- Muhammad wrote the 114 chapters or surahs of the Qu'ran while barely literate and is described as beyond belief.
- The Qu'ran is scribed from voice segments over 23 years to Muhammad, from bells to Gabriel.
- The Qu'ran reads confusing to a european but in Arabic it is the sounds and rhythm that make it stand out.
- The text, though accepting of the old and new testaments that have been altered in translation, takes on a largely doctrinal and mildly historical tone.
- The Qu'ran is central to the Islamic beliefs and deeps each muslims personal journey.
This chapter focused on the Qu'ran and specifically the way it is written. It is a difficult text for foreigners to understand due to the language and methods at sharing the message. It retells a lot of stories from Jewish or Christian texts but clarifies them and validates discrepancies as lost in translation. The most memorized book in the world is vital to the practice of every muslim all over the world.
Chapter 5- Basic Theological Concepts
- Islam is in foundational, similar to its predecessors and focuses on the idea of the ultimate God.
- Islam is prided upon the idea that it is the only true monotheistic religion.
- God must not be brought down to human standards or given representation to prevent confusion of the two worlds.
- God is presented as graceful and peaceful and his wrath is kept to 17 lines compared to 192 references to his joy.
- Life is seen as a gift from God and Muslims must "surrender" to his power, and there will eventually be a reckoning where all actions will be judged.
Islam is based on simple concepts that bring the whole religion together. The belief in one all powerful God is one of the most important of these concepts. The peace of this God and the importance of becoming Muslim or surrendering to God is very important as well. This is because God created humans. Eventually ones life will reach judgement day where all actions will be judged to reduce falsities.
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