Koran by Heart

Journal Entry- Nabioallah

     Yesterday, I competed in the International Holy Koran Competition at the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Cairo, Egypt. I represented my entire country of Senegal against kids of all ages from 70 different countries. I was very nervous when I went up to recite my passage, but once I started to speak I was able to calm down. My life for the past few years has led up to this moment. I have spent hours a day memorizing the Qu'ran and working with my teacher on my pronunciation. One difficult aspect of this has been the fact that I speak Tajik and do not understand Arabic. This has led to many challenges in not only my studies, but in visiting Cairo for the competition as well. I have also never learned Tajweed, due to the nature of my small rural school. Speaking of, this school has been shut down in an attempt to reduce extremism. I have been forced to search for a new school in the capital. This has proved difficult due to the fact that I am nearly illiterate. My education thus far has been on memorizing the Qu'ran, and I must now branch out into other aspects of learning. Traveling to Egypt has been extremely scary with all of the mosquitos, people, cars, and buildings. I am all by myself and I do not understand the language. Memorizing the Qu'ran has placed me in a distinct comfort zone which I must now expand off of. The attention I received after finishing 3rd has been overwhelming. I suppose I should learn Tajweed for my future visits. 

The notes I took on the video:

The international holy koran competition- Ministry of Religious Affairs in Cairo, Egypt

During Ramadan- Call to prayer ends fast

These kids are 10 and represent their entire countries (70 different)

Rules of Tajweed- Rythmic (Melody is improvised)

Qu’ran means “A Reciting”

Nabioallah (Senegal)- 

All by himself

Not Arab- speaks Tajik

Scary world- mosquitos, people, cars, buildings- so much

Computer- how does it work/ buttons

Nerves before- reciting calms

Judges were amazed at his beautiful voice and unpredictable rhythm. 

He doesn’t speak Arabic

Lots of attention- overwhelmed

Scored a 95

School shut down by Tajikistans secular government in an effect to shut down extremism

Can not continue studies at the school anymore- applied to school in the capital that is approved by the government (Rural schools have one teacher- young extremists)

Illiterate in Tajik

Will study and live in the new school if he was accepted

He was told to come back for more tests after his trip to Cairo

Does not know the rules of Tajweed!

Won 3rd place

Chapter 4: All About Allah

Chapter 4: All About Allah

1. What is intriguing / interesting / insightful about the benefits of Islam forbidding the use of any representations of Allah? More about this later as well.

God is not personified or brought to the level of comprehension that we hold our world at. He is abstract and impossible to understand. I believe that this may hold some realistic qualities in the idea that God is something that no one can explain and we mustn't degrade into the level of human representation as this will never be accurate. I think this is fascinating and the success they have found in keeping Allah out of human concept. 

2. How in some ways is the God of Islam similar to the Hindu concept of Bramha

It is very similar in the idea that God is in all of us and God is everything. God has an endless reservoir of energy and everything on the earth is connected or is God. Brahma encompasses everything too. They are also similar in the indescribable aspects of each. 

3. What is the meaning of the phrase "La ilaha ill Allah" and what are some of the implications of this phrase? (What reasons do Muslims give for this steadfast belief?)

This means "There is no god other than God." This belief is justified by the counter of claims by other religions. The idea that there is a trinity involving God is blasphemous because there is only the one and he does not discriminate. This is shown through the equal punishment of all religious persons all over the world.

4. Why can't Muslims blame anyone or anything (such as Shaytan) at the time of their judgment?

They cannot blame Shaytan because he has no actual power only the ability to suggest. We have free will and choices and this is ultimately what is judged. 

5. What, according Muslim beliefs, is the role of Jesus and how is he much like Adam? What then are the reasons they do not accept Jesus as the son of God or redeemer of sin?

The lack of a father to Jesus is equal to the lack of parents to Adam. They say that if Jesus was the son of God then he would be equal to Adam. Both were created and told to "be" and they were. They accept his virgin birth and his prophet status but not being killed on the cross or redeemer of sin. 

6. If Muslims are forbidden from depicting God in any way, how do they then conceptualize Allah?

He is connected to everything we think and say and he is therefore "as close as a jugular vein."Taqwa is the consiousness of God in ones life. Increasing Taqwa brings one closer to Allah. Muslims are able to conceptualize him through his actions and descriptions including the 99 names of Allah.

7. Why is "He" used to describe Allah if you cannot attribute physical traits to God?

In Arabic, all nouns have a gender, Allah is feminine and is combined with masculin Hoowa to cancel it. It is not accepted that God is either a male nor female, because he can not be compared with our world. 

Chapter 3: Looking at Life the Islamic Way

Chapter 3: Looking at life the Islamic Way

1. According to Islam, we are all born "good" - how does it then explain the "bad" that exists?

We are born good but have a natural weakness to succumb to our desires and avoid pain, and these lead to sin. There is also the concept of a devil or evil that influences actions; however, we are given the tools to overpower these urges. 

2. What are the purposes of the 3 levels of self development in Islam?

The animal self, accusing self, and restful self are the levels we go through as we struggle to accept God. The purpose is to overcome our inner nature and raise our minds to allow us to seek God. 

3. How does Islam both accept other religious ideas but is the "last installment of God's will"

These other religions are the result of people attempting to reach spirituality through what is familiar. However, they believe that after exploring these compromised religions one will practice Islam or the ultimate representation of God's will. 

4. What do you think is the role of the Tawba? How does this play a role in the daily responsibility of individuals? How is this different (or similar) compared to other religions?

I think the role of the Tawba is overcoming the sin and learning from it. It is showing the practitioners devotion and remorse for the act. This places more responsibility on the individual to keep their promises from previous Tawba's and resolve to become better people/ sin less. This is different in the simplicity of the steps but similar in the idea of remorse and vowing to never commit the sin again. 

5. Why is Islam not a faith of "good deeds" even if it superficially may seem to be - or as claimed in the reading, it is a form of "religious capitalism"

It is religious capitalism because the entire purpose that is placed on good deeds is to be rewarded for it. Hard work is recognized on judgment day and it is therefore not a communal caring society, but a selfish way to strive for a goal.

6. What is meant in the sentence: "Salvation in Islam comes from making the choice while alive to accept Allah and mold like according to the way of life He has established."

This counters the Christian idea of people being born evil, and says that we must consciously maintain our good that we are born with and strive to live within the guide of Allah to go to heaven. To live a life based on morality and giving is to mold according to his way of life. 

7. Revisit / expand on the concept of the Fitrah

Fitrah is our inner good. This is the angel on our shoulder that tells us to do good and fights with the devil on the other side that thinks only of personal desire and immediate satisfaction. This comes from the good in our souls that we are born with, without sin. This is the tool that God gives everyone to overcome the temptation of the devil. 

Rituals

1. What are the purposes of specific rituals?
                    - Evaluate the spiritual importance that each has for the believer.

    In order to become a Muslim and surrender to the existence of God, one must pray everyday to show their dedication to God. This is shown through the ritual of the Salat, or the daily ritual prayer. This is done at specific times and has many intentions (niyya) depending on the person. However, asking for guidance and expressing lamentation are popular. This all applies to the acceptance that their is one true God, Allah, or Tawhid. This allows Muslims to become closer to God, and show their dedication to the religion. Another way to do this is to follow one of the 5 pillars, a pilgrimage to Mecca. This is also called the Hajj, and is usually done during Dhu al- Hijja- from the eighth to twelfth days. This shows their faith in God, or Iman, as well as participation in the Umma or Muslim community. These two rituals are two of the many ways for a Muslim to show his faith and deepen his spiritual participation.

Information was found from the book, Islam, by Zayn R. Kassam.

2. To what extent does ritual shape communal identity?
                    - Determine the degree to which the Five Pillars create communal identity

   The five pillars of Islam are the testimony of faith (shahada), ritual prayer (salat), payment of alms to charity (zakat), fasting (sawm), and pilgrimage (hajj). These are all executed by every Muslim that has the means to preform them. This helps create a common groundwork of practice for all Muslims all over the world and creates a close bond within the Umma, or Muslim community. For example, in preforming the Hajj, Muslims agglomerate to Mecca all throughout the year, and specifically during the Dhu al-Hijja. This allows the Umma to have a common place where Muslims can meet and solidify their beliefs. Daily practice is often preformed with others as well, and creates many times a day when Muslims kneel side by side and preform this ritual. Paying alms and fasting allows for similar values for all Muslims and the testimony of faith gives everybody a basis for their goals. The five pillars outlines the key elements to a practicing Muslim and connects each to the other. Within the Umma, they share not only a religion but daily rituals and values as well. The five pillars contribute to the community of Islam to a high degree.

Information was found from the book, Islam, by Zayn R. Kassam.

3. How are specific rituals and doctrines linked?
                    - Discuss the relationship between doctrine and ritual; introduce fitrah, kalimah, sabr, dhikr. 

    A doctrine is a belief or set of beliefs set, held, and taught by a church or other group and a ritual is a type of religious ceremony. One specific doctrine that Islam's practice is the idea that there is only one God. They practice idea this through the ritual of prayer. During these prayers, fitrah is addressed and thanked for. Fitrah refers to the essential nature of God's creation. By praying, it teaches to us to remain spiritually steadfast which can be done through practicing the idea that there is only one God and praying to that God. This is the idea of Sabr. Kalimah refers to six standard phrases that the religion of Islam follows. Through the phrases, prayer is key for forgiveness and praise. Dhikr, a form of devotion, is also displayed through the ritual of prayer. 

http://www.angelfire.com/al/islamicpsychology/fitrah/fitrah.html
http://www.questionsaboutislam.com/faith-beliefs-practices/main-practices-rituals-of-islam.php

4. How does ritual shape daily life? 
                        - Discuss how a Muslim lives his or her daily life according to rituals, eg prayer.

Salat (ritual prayer):
     Muslims perform salat or prayer 5 times a day (dawn (al-fajr), midday (al-zuhr), afternoon (al-'asr), sunset (al-maghrib) and evening (al-'isha)). Prayer is always directed towards Mecca and is called daily throughout major Islamic cities. Because salat occurs 5 times a day, it affects the flow and  rhythm of Islamic life even for non-Muslims living in Islamic cities. 

Sawm (fasting):
    Fasting or sawm is done during the Islamic holiday, Ramadan. During this holiday Muslims cannot eat or drink from sun up to sunset. This could potentially affect their ability to perform certain tasks during the day, such as sports etc. It also changes their daily schedule because all cooking and eating has to be done before dawn or after dusk. 

http://productivemuslim.com/10-issues-that-can-impact-your-ramadan/   
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/practices/salat.shtml

5. To what extent are rituals affected by social, cultural, and political contexts?
                      - Discuss sharia as it varies from country to country. 

   Sharia is Islamic law, which dictates legal and moral code. "The debate is growing as to whether sharia can coexist with secularism, democracy, or even modernity, an idea that is being tested by several countries in the Middle East in the wake of popular uprisings and civil wars." 
   Sharia has been declared the main source of legislation in multiple Sudan constitutions. As these laws have been tweaked for this specific country, Sudan continues to use the criminal, civil and personal legal codes, and punishments derived from Sharia. 
This law is applicable to Muslims in Zanzibar as well, giving power to the court to apply Islamic law to matters of succession. Sharia in Zanzibar is specific to the court, making it differ from most countries. 
   Sharia effects social, political, and cultural contexts by providing order and restrictions by telling the people what they can and cannot do when it comes to moral code.

http://www.cfr.org/religion/islam-governing-under-sharia/p8034 
http://www.tolerance.org/publication/sharia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_of_sharia_law_by_country

Timeline of Islam

Islam: Empire of Faith

Prayer:

There is no god but God

Muhammad is the messenger of God

Come to prayer

What we know about Muhammad is only what has been preserved over all these years

Born in/around 570 A.D. in Arabian Peninsula- Mecca

Tribal war scattered the land

6- Parents died (Child of everybody)

Bedouin- Nomadic (Clans)

Oral culture (Reciting poetry was honored- bound everyone together to their ancestor and celebrated their victories)

Muhammad’s uncle taught him how to survive in the battle scared lands

Allegiance to family- then tribe

Water is precious- symbol

Shrine of wood stone and cloth- Kabba is the shrine of the separate gods (Sanctuary)

Black stone fell from the sky

People put down their arms and facilitated trading within the holy area

Cultures mixed

Christians, Jews, and Animists all collided

Khadijah proposed to Muhammad- wealthy

When black stone was out of place, Muhammad offered sharing the weight and honor

Al-Amîn- The trusted one

610 (40yrs old) Angel appeared to him on the mountain and made him recite the words of God

He found this disturbing- but it led to the development of Islam

Powerful words led to the message that their is only one God- Divine unity

One God meant one people and eliminated the tribal divisions

This was revolutionary to the divided poor- social justice message

Not a poet because poets speak through desire- this is not the voice of desire it is the voice of God

The Qu’ran was revealed orally and people wanted to write it down to prevent corruption of the lesson. People began copying this spiritual collection of religious teachings.

Natural- still in Arabic (intimacy) 

No description of God- not a thing or projection of the human self (No sculpture/images)

Pictures of Muhammad are not to be worshiped nor are they religious

They are historical not devotional

The miracle was not magic but the words

People were skeptical to the idea of life after death

Apocalyptic imagery to show the responsibility of our actions (outrage)

The economy suffered as people left- people plotted to assassinate him

690- Khadijah and his uncle died due to enemies expelling his followers from the trade and starving them.

Yahthrib? A town north of Mecca became his refuge- peacemaker

Leaving their families and lives was the ultimate test of devotion- bound by faith not blood- beginning of Islam- 

622 is the Muslim Year One

The City of the Prophet- Medina

Bring together different groups into harmony through belief

Christians and Jews are people of the book of people who God revealed himself too, however, people went astray

Call to prayer- affirmation of God’s unity

Praying together cements the idea of a community

While in Medina- received revelation to face Kabbah- shrine of Abraham

Muslims were outnumbered when they fought Meccans (brother fighting brother)

Three years they held out against the odds

Gods hand- people joined- tide turned

Mecca eventually fell to Muhammad - no bloody revenge- shocking

Great generosity, kindness, mercy

He broke the tribal gods of his ancestors- shrines

New beginning

Explosive grown from 622 within 50 years (Camel herder fathers-governors)

From Morroco-> India

Success was due to the fed up attitudes towards existing religions/governments

Conquered people did not feel the regime heavily- free-er

Filled void-- solidarity

In the Church of St. john the Baptist in Damascus on Fridays- to allow christians to practice on sundays, the two religions practiced in peace

Built Mosque on the side- Great Mosque of Damascus

Elaborate irrigation systems and aqueducts- wheat introduced

The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem is Holy and artistic (sparkles)

Islam came to stay

632 A.D - Muhammad dies

How to choose new leader -- Shi’ite- Appointed successor
                                               Sunni- You choose

Reflection-

This timeline shows many key elements of the development of Islam. I think some of the most important include the Birth of Muhammad, and him hearing the words of God in 610. This formed the foundation of the religion. It is also key that the people were torn by tribes and other aspects of life, and found the religion of Islam to be a peaceful social change for the better.  From here, year 1 or 622 A.D. is extremely important in not only the spread but also the start of the calendar. The battle Muhammad fought with 300 men is also key to convert people who say this "aid of God". This led to the explosive growth for 50 years, and the radical social change. I think that creating this timeline has helped put many of the concepts in context of the time, and show the historical aspects of the religion. This is key to understanding its spread and how it became the influential religion it is today. 

Discussion reflection

I think this discussion strayed slightly from the study of simply Islam, and brought in the ideas of other religions. However, I also feel that this is one way to help us understand not only specific religions better, but religious experience altogether. The idea that each of three of the biggest religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam- are all connected with mentions of Jesus and other prophets as well as the idea that they believe in the same God is an interesting idea that may need further investigation.
However, focusing on Islam- a key question that I found interesting was the idea of language changing beliefs. I think the fact that Muslims learn a minimal amount of arabic in order to study the religion is a fascinating practice and one that (you would think) would maintain the authenticity of the religion throughout the years.
Also, I would like to explore in depth the controversies and world wide interpretations of this touchy religion.

Chapter 2: Food for the Soul

Chapter 2:

1. What is the purpose of the Ayatul Kursi: "Verse of the Throne"

The purpose of this passage is to describe the immensity of Allah and his power. To reiterate that he owns everything and everything is created by him. It implements key ideas like the one that he is eternal and will never end. He is the only God.

      2. What, according to Muslims what are the four areas that prove the existence of God / Allah

1- The complexity of nature that proves an intelligent creator

2- Our human abilities like thought, creativity, invention, etc. that no other animals can preform

3- The presence of God through revelations, prophets, and guidance proves life is directed

4- Our inner feelings that make us ponder meaning, the existence of a question proves the existence of an answer

       3. What does it mean to "surrender to Allah"?

It means to accept that the entire natural world is following the rules created by him and have thus surrendered to him. Following our natural course is how one surrenders to Allah, and preforming the role in nature that was intended. 

      4. What is the role of free will in Islam and following God's will 

The role of free will is that it is simply a gift given by God that comes with the consequence of good vs bad. This gift is given to serve God's free will and unite with him. God's will is the "best thing that any one of us could ever do" because love and fellowship with God is the ultimate reward for following God's love. Kids don't obey but their love is worth weeks of anger.

        5. Fitrah: Why is it important to have this in addition to free will? According to Islam, how is it that all of us have Fitrah, even if we are not Muslim?

This is our moral compass that helps guide use through life. This explains our superiority over animals and why the gift of free will was given to us by God. It helps us feel euphoria. Everybody has this inclination but our enviornments push us towards other religions and ways of life. 

        6. In your own words explain Fitrah

Fitrah is that urging feeling to do right even when all your desires tell you to help yourself.