Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Islam Take Home Test

Paper 1

1) a) The main doctrines of Islam referred to in the verse are Shahada implying Tawhid, Muhammed, and divinity of Koran sent by Allah and promulgated by Muhammed .

b) Without spiritual guidance by Allah, specifically Koran, people would forget fitra, committing ghaflah. They accumulate transgression and will go to Jahanam on Yawmuddin, according to judgment of Allah.

2) 2) a) This verse tells us about freewill that Allah has given us so that we can decide between the good and the evil.

b) the Islamic understanding of evil is that there is no ultimate existence of evil that tempts people to do malignment but human beings are responsible for what they choose to do, whether evil or good. Satan mentioned in Koran is mental aspect of human minds that tend to pursue the path of evil such as greed or etc. It can be overcome by following Allah’s words in the Koran, the Five Pillars and Hadiths.


Paper 2

1) Compare and Contrast the basis for authority of Quran and Hadiths

Authority of Quran and Hadiths is different as evident as how Quran starts as Allah says whereas the Hadiths do as the Prophet says.

Muslims believe that the Quran in its entirety is the words of Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad as the final message. Muhammad distinguished clearly between his own words and the words of Allah. After revelation came onto him, he ordered followers not to dictate his prophetic words in the Quran but Words from Allah in order to insure that they wouldn’t be mixed up. Hadiths are Sunnahs of the Prophet Muhammad. It includes narrations of his deeds and words that helps understand the Quran and its application.

However they are similar in a way that they are both exemplary to follow with authority over Muslims.

“almost all religions traditions condemn the intentional killing of another human being, except in specific cases such as retaliation’ an eye for an eye’, war or criminal punishment ’”

2) how far does the underlying principle of this statement apply to Islam?

The underlying principle of the statement applies to Islam to a great extent. The policy of an eye for an eye called “The law of equality” is well prescribed in the Quran (2:178) as well, meaning it is permissible to slay the murder the same way he slew his vitim. However instead, a relative of the slain can make an exception so that the murdered can pay with monetary assets rather than a life, slave or wife.

O ye who believe! the law of equality is prescribed to you in cases of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the woman for the woman. But if any remission is made by the brother of the slain, then grant any reasonable demand, and compensate him with handsome gratitude, this is a concession and a Mercy from your Lord. After this whoever exceeds the limits shall be in grave penalty. (The Noble Quran, 2:178)"

1) “… then marry women of you choice, two, three or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly then only one” (Quran 4:3)

“you are never able to do justice between wives even if it is your ardent desire, but turn not away from a woman altogether (Quran 4:129)”


3) with reference to the two verses above from the same Medinian sura ( revealed soon after the battle of Uhud), analyze the possible reasons for the practice of polygamy in Islam.

After the battle of Uhud which caused casualties on men, they were a number of widows and orphans however they weren’t allowed to make a living themselves, due to the laws in the Quran. Therefore by allowing polygamy, the vulnerable population could sustain their lives with a new husband and father.

After taking over the Mecca, Muslims needed to stabilize the mayhem as soon as possible, and the way they chose is combining two families by marriage in order to create alliances

As verses mentioned, men are allowed more than one wife up to four because men tend to covet other women, which causes infidelity. However men wouldn’t commit infidelity because they can marry more wives, keeping himself to his wives (which is a pretty odd explanation).

2)