Religion 120 Page2 Module #12 Homework Islam Instructions There are two parts

Religion 120 Page2

Module #12 Homework

Islam

Instructions

There are two parts to this assignment. Read the assigned reading, then answer the questions.

The point of this current homework is to get you acquainted with what both Smith and Neusner have to say about Judaism.

Part One: Read Huston Smith’s The World’s Religions. Exact page numbers are below. Then answer the questions.

Part Two: Read Jacob Neusner’s World Religions in America. Exact page numbers are below. Then answer the questions.

Part One / Huston Smith – The World’s Religions

Read Smith page 221-270, then answer the following questions.

Read ‘The Introduction’ and ‘Background.’

Christians called their religion ‘Christianity.’ But Muslims don’t call their religion ‘Muhammadanism.’ Why? And why would this be offensive?

Define the following terms.

Islam is

Allah is

According to Muslim tradition, how are Jews and Muslims related?

Read ‘The Seal of the Prophets.’

What is the ‘Seal of the Prophets.’

How would you describe the main characteristics of Mohammad’s day? (What institutions had fallen in to chaos?)

What is ‘animistic polytheism ?’

How would you describe the character of Mohammad?

What is the (first) ‘Night of Power?’

Did Mohammad want to be the person who was forced to recite?

Using one or two sentences describe the three ways that the message was negatively received.

Read ‘The Migration that led to Victory.’

What is the ‘Hijrah?’

How did Mohammad treat the people of Mecca when he returned as a conquer.

What is Mohammad ranked number one on the most influential persons in history by Michael Hart?

Read ‘The Standing Miracle.’

How would you summarize the Muslim belief that the Qur’an is miraculous?

Who are the ‘People of the Book?’ (middle 233)

What two things are flawed in the Jewish and Christian Bible according to Muslims? (middle 233)

How would you describe the Muslim appreciation for the Arabic language in general and the Qur’an in particular? (bottom 233)

Read ‘ Basic Theological Concepts.’

How is monotheism, a true monotheism according to Smith? (Why do Muslims reject Christianity’s monotheism?) (236)

What are the two depictions of God’s nature?

Do Muslims reject the material realm? What about Judaism and Christianity?

What do Muslims think is ‘one of the illusions of modernity?’ ( first full paragraph 241)

Do Muslims believe in the afterlife? Is it an actual place?

Read ‘The Five Pillars.’

What are the three types of injunctions?

The five pillars are:

What are the things a Muslim must not do? ( top 248)

Read ‘Social Teaching.’

What does Smith think is the ‘distinctive thing about Islam?’ (top 249)

Pick one of the three (poor due, inheritance, and interest) points which qualify economics for Muslims and in one or two sentences explain the one you picked.

Pick one of the four (infanticide, marriage, polygyny, and purdah) points which qualify the status of women and in one or two sentences explain the one you picked.

Read ‘Race Relations.’

How would you describe race relations in Islam?

Read ‘The Use of Force.’

Explain ‘Religious Toleration’ for Muslims according to Smith. (top 256)

Define the two types of jihad.

Read ‘Sufism.’

Define Sufism in one or two sentences.

Read ‘Whither Islam.’

What in this section is the most important/interesting to you and why?

Part Two / Jacob Neusner – World Religions in America

Read Neusner Chapter Eight: Islam in the World and in America pg. 143-158, and answer the following questions.

List a few of the challenges facing Muslims in America. (153)

Are all Muslims radical fundamentalist who want to have an Islamic state? Explain.

How do extremists high jack the Muslim religion (bottom right 155)?