Islam: History, values and culture Shahbaz Younis
PRESENTATION OUTLINE • • • Introductory Remarks Historical overview Islam as a monotheistic religion the Quran God or Allah pillars and values social code and reforms relation with other faiths the Sunni and Shiha sects • • • Science and civilization • Qs & As Islam today, and Arab Americans Suggested reading, distribution of educational material
Islam • • Founder: Muhammad Ibn (son of) Adballah Born: 571 AD in Mecca, Arabia Descendant of Abraham Nicknames: Almustapha (the chosen), Alamin (the faithful) Titles: The prophet, the messenger (Alrasul) Tribe: Quraiysh Holy Book: The Quran, derived from ‘read’
Abraham Ismail Adnan Quraiysh Qussaiy Abdmanaf Abdshams Hashem Adbelmuttalib (Amneh+) Abdallah Abutalib Hamzeh Alabbas Muhammad Ummayah Dynasty (661 -750) Abulahab Alhareth Ali Abbbassides Dynasty (750 -1258)
Historical Overview
The Levant Mesopotamia The fertile Crescent H EGYPT I A R j • Medinah A a • Mecca B z I A Dynasties of the South
Middle East, 7 th Century • The Arabian Peninsula Ø Ø Ø Ø The source of Arabs and the Semitic race Mostly desert, few urbanized areas Urban centers, Mecca Mainly tribal society First mention of ‘Arabs’, 854 B. C. Arabs of the North and Arabs of the South Dynasties in the south Religions – Christianity (inclusive), Judaism (exclusive), polytheism • The Sassanid or Persian Empire Ø Ailing • The Byzantine or Eastern Roman Empire Ø Christianity is the state religion, 3 rd century Ø A foreign occupying power Ø Sectarian conflicts with the locals
Byzantine Empire * Persian Empire An Arabian dynasty • * An Arabian dynasty
Islam, 610 -632 • 571 Muhammad born in Mecca. • 610 First revelation in the Harraa cave (27 Ramadan). • 622 “Hijra”or Escape. Muhammad and followers escape prosecution and go to Almadinah (Yathrib). Ø Year 1 in the Islamic calendar Ø ‘Missionaries’ sent all over Arabia – building peaceful coalition • 629 Muhammad conquers Mecca peacefully (NO REVENGE) Ø destroys idols in Alqaaba. Ø single-handedly, brings peace to war-torn Arabia • 632 Muhammad dies in Almadinah. Unmarked grave (his will)
Islam by the death of Mohammed 632
632 -661: the Four Elected Successors (Caliphs) Abu-Bakr - 632 -634 • The first elected official. Wise leader, crisis manager Omar Ibn Elkhattab - 634 -644 • A first-rate statesman. Honest, modest and just. • Conquered the Levant, Egypt, Iraq, Persia Ø Damascus (9 / 635) and Jerusalem (5 / 638) surrender peacefully – Omar’s pledge to the Jerusalemites • A modern state: Treasury, communication, defense. Engraved currency. Othman bin Affan - 644 -656 • Collected and compiled the Quran • Emergence of power struggle Ali Bin Abitalib - 656 -661 • Power struggle escalated to armed conflict • Emergence of political parties • End of democracy. Ummayah Dynasty in Damascus, Muawyia (661 -680)
Islam at 644, the year Omar died
The Ummayah Dynasty, 661 -750 • Empire center and capital move to Damascus • Expansion: All N. Africa (Atlantic), W. Europe, much of C. Asia, the wall of China Ø 711: Conquer of Spain and Portugal. Tariq Bin Ziyad • Expansion into W. Europe blocked in France by Charles Martial, 732 • Power Struggle continues, but the Caliphs brutally liquidate all rivals Ø Karbalaa in S. Iraq (10 Nov, 680) and the emerge of the Shiha • Addelmalek builds Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem (691) • Massive translation of Greek and Indian writings • Arabization of the empire • Bloom of architecture, arts, agriculture, and science
732, 100 Yrs after Mohammed
The Abbassides Dynasty, 750 -1258 • The center of the Empire moves to Iraq and Iran • Baghdad, built 762 AD by Almansur (2 nd Caliph). • With over 2 M, Baghdad becomes the glamorous center of the world Ø Science, art, architecture, learning, and wealth Ø Lighted streets, public baths, public libraries and hospitals everywhere • Other dynasties in Egypt, Spain, and parts of the Levant. • A 2 nd Ummayah dynasty in Spain, 9 th century Ø Qurtoba (Cordova) competes with Baghdad • Cairo, built 968 AD
Islam as Monotheistic Religion
Islam: • • ”Surrender”, related to ‘salaam’, or peace. Abraham, father of all prophets, is the first Muslim Islam is also a code for social conduct Quran plus the authentic statements of Muhammad (Hadith) = Shareeha (constitution), as Interpreted by Islamic scholars • Muhammad is the last prophet (33: 40). • Gabriel highest ranking angel The Quran: • Islam’s holy book, an inspired scripture. God’s word inspired to his messenger, • 114 Chapters (chapter = Surah), 4 to >200 verses/chapter (verse = Aiyah) • Confirms most narratives and prophets of the Jewish and Christian faiths Ø Special place for Virgin Mary, the only female (the Chapter of Mary) • Allah is the word for God used by Christian and Muslim Arabs Ø God = Allah (Arabic) = Eluhim (Hebrew) = El (Aramaic) • One and only one God, no trinity • Arabic as the language of the Quran
The 'Five Pillars' of Islam The framework for Muslim life. Essential practices 1. The declaration of faith: • "There is no deity but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God" 2. Prayer: • Five obligatory prayers each day. • A direct link between the worshiper and God. • No hierarchical authority or priesthood 3. Zakat: • Obligatory charitable giving. • Wealth belong to God and it is held in trust by humans. • Zakat, or, "purification" by setting aside a portion (2. 5%) for the needy 4. Fasting: • From sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan 5. Pilgrimage: • A pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca, Arabia. Only those who can
Jihad and the Conduct of War • Islam is not addicted to war, and jihad is not one of its "pillars” • Jihad in Arabic does not mean "holy war”. It means "struggle” or “strive”. • It is the difficult effort needed to put God's will into practice at every level • The "greater jihad” in the Quran is that of the soul, of the tongue, of the pen, of faith, of morality, etc. The "smaller jihad" is that of arms. • Many directives in the authentic statements of Muhammad (Hadiths): Ø He told his companions as they go home after a battle "We are returning from the lesser jihad [the battle] to the greater jihad, at home" Ø Three levels: – Personal: That of the soul – Verbal: Raising one's voice in the name of Allah on behalf of justice. "The most excellent jihad is the speaking of truth in the face of a tyrant" (Hadith) – Physical: Combat waged in defense against oppression and transgression. » Profoundly misunderstood in today's world.
Jihad and the Conduct of War • Much of the Koran revealed in the context of an all-out war imposed on early Muslims by the powerful city of Mecca, and many passages deal with the conduct of armed struggle. Ø While one finds "slay [enemies] wherever you find them!" (e. g. , 4: 89), in almost every case it is followed by something like "if they let you be, and do not make war on you, and offer you peace, God does not allow you to harm them" (2: 90; 4: 90; 5: 2; 8: 61; 22: 39) ã Since good and evil cannot be equal, repel thou evil with something that is better, and love he between whom and thy self was enmity may then become as though he had always been close unto thee, a true friend" (41: 34) • God does not allow harm of civilian, and requests the protection of women, children and the elderly during war (4: 96; 9: 91; 48: 16, 17) Ø “If any one slew a person--unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land--it would be as if he slew the whole people; and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. ” (5: 32) • You shall feed and protect prisoners of war, and you shall not expect a reward (4: 25, 36; 5: 24) Thus, the only permissible war in the Quran is one of self-defense, you cannot kill unarmed (civilian), and you have to protect prisoners of war
Jihad and the Conduct of War • Warfare is always evil. Sometimes you have to fight to avoid persecution. e. g. , the one Mecca inflicted on early Muslims (2: 191; 2: 217), or to preserve decent values (4: 75; 22: 40) • Muslims may not begin hostilities Ø "Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors. " (2: 190). – Notice: Defensive war, fight back • Hostilities must be brought to an end as quickly as possible, and must cease the minute the enemy sues for peace (2: 192 -3; 41: 34) • ‘Martyrdom’: Those killed during fighting or while doing civic duties (martyrs) are promised a place in heaven (several passages, e. g. , 2: 154; 3: 169 -172) • However, suicide is not allowed; it is forbidden and condemned (e. g. , 6: 151, 17: 33, 25: 68) • One of my favorite Hadiths Ø 'Do not attack a temple, a church, a synagogue. Do not bring a tree or a plant down. Do not harm a horse or a camel’
Relation with other Faiths • Like the Torah, the Quran permits retaliation eye for eye, tooth for tooth. But, like the Gospels, it says “it is meritorious to forgo revenge in a spirit of charity (5: 45) • Acknowledges Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon, Zacharia, Jesus, John the paptist, and others as the “the good prophets of God” • A special place for Jesus and Mary (e. g. , 3: 45, 46; 4: 156 -158; 19: 1 -98) • Accepts that Mary’s conception is from God’s soul. • Rejects the divinity of Jesus (no trinity). • Jesus was not killed (e. g. , 4: 155 -159; 5: 17 -19)
Relation with other Faiths • Islam did not impose itself by the sword. Ø "There must be no coercion in matters of faith" (2: 256) • Muslims have to respect Jews and Christians, the "People of the Book, " who worship the same God (e. g. , 2: 62; 29: 46). Ø "And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, except with means better, unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong: but say, 'We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; Our Allah and your Allah is one; and it is to Him we bow. ” • In one of his last public sermons Muhammad said Ø “God tells all human beings, "O people! We have formed you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another" (49: 13). Do not conquer, convert, subjugate, revile or slaughter but to reach out toward others with intelligence and understanding” • The Levant remained mainly Christian for almost 200 Yrs. Ø No one was forced to convert to Islam • The right of all faiths to warship was respected • Sites of warship, holy places and shrines of all faiths were protected
Social Justice • Charity, Charity …. Ø On top of the Zakat. Help the orphan, the poor, the ill, the lost, the homeless, the elderly Ø Endless times in the Quran (16 times in Chapters 2 -5 alone) • Freedom, Integrity, Equality, Justice …. Ø “An hour of justice by a ruler is better than sixty days of hard work” (Hadith) Ø Endless request for justice in the Quran (e. g. , 2: 282; 6; 152) – “O mankind, We’ve created you from a male and a female and have made you nations and tribes that you may know and interact with each other. The noblest of you in the sight of God is the best in conduct” (49: 13). – No Arab is privileged over non-Arab but by his or her conduct (Hadith) – All people are equal like the teeth of a comb (Hadith) – “You are not considered faithful in the sight of God unless you like for your brother (read, others) what you like for yourself” (Hadith) – when you are greeted with a greeting of peace, answer with an even better greeting, or at least the like thereof" (4: 86).
Other Values Right and Status of Women • Eliminated many pre-Islamic discriminatory practices • Gave women rights (e. g. , inheritance) and equality to men, both were made from a single soul (e. g. , 4: 1) • Limited the number of wives a man can marry • Treat women with kindness and respect their rights as equal to men The hijab or head scarf • Modest dress apply to women and men equally (Quran and Hadith). • Women are required to cover their bodies so that their figure is not revealed. • Women are not required to cover their faces. • The forbidden or ‘taboo’ (muharramat) include pork, blood, improperly butchered animals, baby animals, gambling, and charging interest • Alcohol drinking was gradually disallowed
Science and Civilization
• A dedicated quest for knowledge and a burst of scientific innovation in a multi-ethnic and multi-faith society • Lasted for over 8 centuries, and produced a plethora of knowledge and discoveries in all disciplines • Induced the later European renaissance • The Arabic tong, invigorated by the Quran, was the vehicle, and tolerant, inclusive, and knowledge-advocate Islamic faith was the culture • Repeated requests in both the Quran and the Hadith for seeking knowledge, and application of rational thinking Ø Seek knowledge even in China Ø Seek knowledge from crib to grave Ø On judgement day, the ink of scientists is valued by God higher than the blood of martyrs Ø The two important disciplines of science are theology and Biology • Initially, massive translation of Greek and Indian writings Ø preserved all literary and scientific works and transmitted them to Europe
• Medicine and Pharmacy • Chemistry and Physics • Mathmatics • Astronomy
Medicine and Pharmacy • Institutionalized and regulated the practice of Medicine and Pharmacy Ø The modern concept of clinics Ø Board exams and license to practice. Regulatory boards (FDA's!!!) Ø Classification of plants and Algae for their medical use, and outlined possible side effects (PDR’s!!) Hospitals: • Tens, including specialized, in each of Baghdad, Qurtoba, and Damascus. • Mobile hospitals for emergency. • Departments and University Hospitals. • Patients records and vital signs, urine tests, family history. Surgery: • Threads from animals intestine. • Opium and Hashish for Anesthesia. • Alcohol as disinfectant. • Treatment of cataract, and removal of kidney and gallbladder stones Autopsy !!! • Students training (Anatomy) • Cause of death
Known Physicians • Abu-bakr Elrazzy; 9 th Century • Father of Physicians, great clinician and experimentalist • Many books including “Smallpox and Measles” • Ibn-Elhaytham: 10 th Century • Multidisciplinary scientist. Ophthalmologist • Mechanism of sight. Function of the eye • Over 100 books in Med. and Math. • Ibn-Seena (Avisai): 10 th Century • The “Qannun”, the medical text book in Europe till 19 th Cen. • Described the medical use of over 2700 plants • Light has a finite speed, which is much faster than the speed of sound • Ibn-Rushd (Aviros): 13 th Century • Philosopher and Physician. Many books • Ibn-Elnafees: • Blood circulation and the role of lungs • Abulkassim Alzahrawi (Abulcasis or Albucasis): 11 th Century • One of the greatest surgeons. A good dentist and GP. • Removal of breast cancer. • Hemophilia and its hereditary transmission (female to male)
Chemistry and Physics • Arabic terms and methods of preparation for Alkali, Alcohol, Tartarate • Discovered and prepared in pure form 28 elements (Ibn Elhaytham) • The processes of crystallization, fermentation, distillation, sublimation, • Preparation of acids (H 2 SO 4, HCl, HNO 3) and bases (Na. OH) • Light travels in straight lines. Laws of refraction, reflection and illusion of light. • Eluded to the Magnetic properties of some objects
Mathematics • Arabic numeral and the decimal system of numbers. Ø Right Left. English. But 1000 • Arithmetic. Roots and powers • Algorithm = Alkhawarismi • The mathematical ZERO • Algebra (combining fractions). • The Use of (x, y, z) to solve complex arithmetic/geometric problems • Trigonometry (Albairuni and Albuzjani), differential and Integral. · p = 3. 141596535898732. Some known Mathematicians: • Abu-bakr Alkhawarismi • Thabit Ibn Qarra (9 th Century). Calculus. • Ibn-elhaytham • Albairuni (10 th Century) • Albuzjani • Omar Elkhayam (2° & 3° equations)
Astronomy • • Astrology (myth) Astronomy (science) Movement, path, and location of planets and stars The Asturlab Earth is spherical and rotates along its axis and around the sun. • Calculated earth circumference (Albairuni) • Calculated the time needed for one rotation around the sun (solar year), with an error of 2’ 22” only (Albattani) • Calculated the equinoxes • Current names of most constellations, and many stars are from Arabic Some known astronomists: • Alkindy (9 th Century) • Albattani (9 th Century) • Ibn-elhaytham (11 th Century) • Thabit Ibn Qarra • Almajreeti
Sunni and Shiha Sunni • 90% of Muslims • Follow the Quran and the Hadeeth as we have them today, and as interpreted by the Sunni scholars Shiha • Came to be as a sect after 680 A. D. • Believe in the Quran and Hadeeth, like Sunni • However, they place Ali very high as a holy figure, and think ‘main stream’ Islam discriminated against him • Today Shiah is mainly in Iran (90%), Iraq (55%) and Lebanon (~40%)
Important Holidays Al-adhaa (the sacrifice) • Symbolizes Abraham attempt to sacrifice his son Ishmael by God’s request. • Should sacrifice an animal and give the food to the poor. • The pilgrimage to Mecca Alfetr • Observed at the end of the holy month of Ramadan (the fasting month) The Islamic New Year • Yr 1, Islamic calendar = 622 A. D. Alisraa Walmaaraj • Symbolizes the ascending, in Jerusalem, of Mohammed's soul to heaven The Birthday of Muhammad Ashuraa day (Shiha only)
Islam Today • 1. 3 Billion worldwide, three continents Ø 0. 3 Billion Arabs Ø Indonesia (200 M) > India (180 M) > Pakistan (160 M) > Bangladesh (120 M) > China (80 M) > Egypt (70 M) • There about 20 M Christian Arabs Ø Egypt > Syria > Lebanon > Palestine > Iraq • About 7 M Muslims in the USA, 3 -4 M are Arabs Ø Roughly half of the Arab Americans are Christians
Arab Americans • Farouq Elbaz (Egypt), NASA, the moon mission • Ahmed H. Zewail (Egypt) Winner of the 1999 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Cal. Tech. • Saleh Wakeel (Iraq), member of the Nat’l Acad. Sci. , Biochemistry • Qais Elawqati (Iraq), member of the Nat’l Acad. Sci. , Microbiology • Majdi Yacub, first open heart surgery • Michael Debakee (Lebanon), chief cardiologist of the White House • • Ralph Nader (Lebanon), consumer advocate, Green Party founder, and 2000 presidential candidate John Sununu (Palestine), White House Ex-Chief of Staff John Sununu JR. , current state governor • Donna E. Shalala (Lebanon), Ex secretary of HHS • • Helen Thomas, Ex dean of the White House press corps. Edward Attiyeh (Syria), Ex governor of OR Spencer Abraham (Lebanon), Secretary of Energy George Mitchell
Arab Americans • Casey Kasem and Don Bustany (Lebanon) creators of radio's American Top 40 • Mustapha Elaqqad (Syria), Hollywood movie director (director of the ‘Halloween’ series) • Tom Shadyac (Lebanon), Hollywood movie director • Salma Hayic (Lebanon), a Hollywood star • Yasser Seirawan (Syria), US Chess Champion • Jacques Nasser, president and CEO of Ford Motor Co • Ray Irani CEO of Occidental Petroleum (Exxon Mobil) Co • The Hyatt, Hagar, and Farah enterprises • Christina Mc. Auliffe, an astronaut who died aboard the space shuttle Challenger • Candy Lightner, founder of MADD
Suggested Reading • “History of the Arabs”, Philip Hitti • “The Arab People”, Albert Hourany • “Islam, An Empire of Faith”, PBS Video, 2001 • “Islam: A Short History”, Karen Armstrong, 2000 • “Muhammad”, Karen Armstrong, 1998 • “Jihad: A Commitment to Universal Peace”, Marcel A. Boisard, American Trust Publications, 1988 • “The Oxford History of Islam”, John L Esposito, ed. 1999 • “Islam: The Straight Path”, John L Esposito, ed. 1998 • “The Meaning of the Holy Quran”, Abdullah Yusif, Ali, 1997 • “Lives of the Prophets”, Leila Azzam, 1995 • “From Difference to Equas”, George Kindy, and Philip Saliba, eds. , NYAS, 1994 • Science in Medieval Islam, Howard R Turner, 1997 • Arab American Encyclopedia, Anan Ameri, and Dawn Ramey, eds. , 2000
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