Class Notes 10/12

Class Notes

The Role of Shari’a in Islam

       Fiqh- Law (criminal or civil law)

       Shari’a- Law (moral and Islamic Law)

       Shari’a is the divine law in Islam

       Drawn from the Qur’an and the Sunna

o   Example of the Prophet Muhammad

       All encompassing- setting forth in detail the practice of Islam

Ethics and Society

       Development of Islam from the period of Muhammad, early Caliphs, and Umayyad period is the “golden age” in Islamic history

       Development of the Caliphate began in 632 to 661 (rightly Guided Caliphs) and provided an ideal period for Muslims- especially the Sunni

       Sunni- 85% of Muslims- selected Abu Bakr- adopted the belief that leadership should be given to the most capable leader

       Shi’a (Shiis)- 15% of Muslims- party of ‘Ali’- opposed that Abu Bakr should become the leader of the Islamic community

       Imam- political and religious figure in Shi’a Islam- Shi’a see Ali as the 1^st Imam- Sunni see imam simply as spiritual leaders

Resurgence of Islam in the World

       Public and Private life- Islam provides a sense of identity and guidance for everyday living

       Prayer and fasting, Islamic forms of dress, and family values

       Iran, Afghanistan, and Sudan tried to establish themselves as Islamic States

       Problem of radical Islamic organizations and their engagement in terrorism

       What is the future of Islam in the 21^st century?

       Islam remains the fastest growing religion in the world

       Expanding the learning and understanding of this major world religion is important

       Islam law, theology, and mysticism shapes 1/6 of the world’s population

       Revitalization of Islam is both a challenge and I threat to Muslim society and the “West”

       Islam shares many important links between Judaism and Christianity

o   Strict monotheism

o   Similar moral value

o   Believes in the accountability of people

Test Format

       Will have 5 questions- pick 4 to actually answer

       Will either have a quote or a picture

       Has 2 parts to each question

       First part make sure you have 3 key points (facts or vocabulary)

       Second part make sure you have 7 key points (facts or vocabulary)

       Answer will always need “what is the nature of…?” and “what is the significance of…?”

       You cannot use the same point twice on the test- once it is an answer it cannot be repeated