Sources of Wisdom and Authority (The Qur’an) (The Revelation and Compilation)

Homework Time to hand in your 30 mark essays (re-done). Make sure you have: The title “Evaluate how the Hadith and Sunnah affect Muslim life” at the top Your name (first and second!) at the top

Advice The exam board assumes that, in order to go into enough detail, the whole course (3 units) will be taught over 8-9 hours per week! Obviously, this means you need to do an equal amount of work at home as you are doing in lessons. I am more than willing to arrange for you to have ISPs if this isn’t happening/your work doesn’t reflect that this is happening.

Advice (Some) folders are still not being kept organised and in good condition. This means: Chronological order (including assessments/feedback/DIRT). Paper in plastic wallets and/or hole-punched. NOT all shoved in 1 wallet together! Divided into at least the three different parts of the course, possible further (different topics). Evidence of (labelled) wider reading/revision done at home – ISPs are available! No doodling/scruffiness/ripped pages/missing work.

Feedback from the exam board Students are not personalising their answers enough. This means that from reading them, it is obvious that the majority of the info has been learned in lessons and then regurgitated in the exam. This will not be enough to secure high grades. There needs to be evidence of further reading/quotes/examples/scholars/case studies that are not featured in everyone’s work! It is not enough to assume a personal faith/background/prior knowledge will be enough to carry you through A Level.

Where does this information come from? How do you know this? What do you know? Work in pairs/threes to mind-map/model-map what you know about the Qur’an. You have four minutes to write down anything and everything you know about the Qur’an. Qur’an Challenge: Where does this information come from? How do you know this?

How was the Qur’an revealed? Revealed (gradually) to Muhammad over a period of 23 years, beginning when Muhammad was 40. Sometimes it was directly from Allah, other times through the Angel Jibreel. Sometimes whole surahs (chapters) were revealed at once, other times a few verses at a time. Muhammad memorised the words and then repeated them to his literate companions, who wrote them down.

Why was the Qur’an revealed? To reinforce prior (lost/corrupted) messages. Out of Allah’s love and compassion for his people. Sometimes revelations (wahy – Arabic term) linked to events occurring at the time. Sometimes they were to support Muhammad who was faced with many questions. Sometimes they were to establish rules to govern the social/economical/political life of Muslims.

Pages 1-3 Watton (Origins of the Qur’an) Why is the Qur’an the most important thing in Islam? Write down the quote from Ghulam Sarwar (pg1) and annotate/make notes around it. What was it like for Muhammad when he received a revelation? Why do you think it was like this? Write down the quote from Abul Ala Mawdudi (pg 3) and annotate/make notes around it.

Video clip As you watch the video clip, make notes of: Key information Key names Quotes/general teachings

Language and Text Perfectly rhyming Arabic. Divided into 114 chapters (Surahs) and verses (Ayas). Each Surah except Surah 9 begins with the Bismillah ‘In the name of God the Merciful, the Compassionate’ A devout Muslims should say the Bismillah before any recitation

Language and Text The Qur’an is also divided into 30 units called Separas for the purpose of reciting. The Qur’an was delivered ‘randomly’ and so Muslims believe each part is relevant for all time, then and now. The Qur’an is timeless and eternal.

The two stages of revelation Stage 1 – The Meccan Periods: During the first 13 years of Islam, the main task of the Prophet was to call people to Islam. The basis of this was the Qur’anic revelations that focussed on The Oneness of Allah (key term?) and righteous conduct. These are generally short Surahs and contain vivid and descriptive language.

The two stages of revelation First Meccan Period Second Meccan Period Third Meccan Period Tawhid – oneness of God. Warnings of judgement for those guilty of idolatry. Surah 96 (first to be revealed) warns of judgement. Warnings to obey Allah. Surah 1 is said to sum up the whole Qur’an and is said during daily prayers. More ‘ordinary’. Contains information about the prophets. Revealed while Muhammad was trying to establish himself as a prophet. During the open hostility towards Muhammad. Reflects the controversy and disagreements with the pagans of Mecca. Some Surahs contain comfort and reassurance for Muhammad as well as warnings for disbelievers.

The two stages of revelation Key features of the Qur’an during the Meccan Periods: The concept of Allah and tawhid. Man’s return to Allah for judgement. Gratitude and worship. The position of the poor. Muhammad’s position and call.

The two stages of revelation Stage 2 – The Medinan Period: After the hijrah (which was?) and the establishment of the first community (key term?); the revelations focussed more on regulation of Muslim life – rules, how to worship, crime and punishment etc.

The two stages of revelation These are the longest Surahs and were revealed when Muhammad was forming the ummah in Medina. They contain laws for the new community – legal and social purposes. Surah 2 is a good example – it contains references to the 5 Pillars, essential beliefs and rules/regulations to be followed. However, Muhammad still received messages about the power and nature of Allah throughout this time.

The two stages of revelation Key features of the Qur’an during the Medinan Period: Further development of the concepts of Allah and tawhid. Man’s dependence on Allah. The organisation of the community. The obligations of worship and Muslim life.

The two stages of revelation The two stages show that the revelation has a purpose – not just to bring Allah’s message to the people in general. The timing and nature of the revelations were also important. Once the whole Qur’an was revealed, it was then put into an order that was intended to stay until the Day of Judgement.

Why was the Qur’an revealed so gradually? To bring people to Islam (stage 1). To strengthen resolve. To simplify memorisation and understanding (give people time to ask questions etc). To prove the truthfulness of Muhammad. To prove the miraculous nature of the Qur’an. To reveal the laws of Islam (stage 2).

How was the Qur’an compiled? Muhammad did not compile the Qur’an or put it into order himself. Muhammad’s wife Hafsah was said to have kept the pieces of parchment, leather etc together, both during his life and after his death. After the death of Muhammad in 652AD, people had 4 manuscripts (copies) of the Qur’an, but each was ordered differently.

How was the Qur’an compiled? During the Caliphate of Uthman (644-656 AD), a final order was decided for the Qur’an. Every verse was verified by finding two witnesses that had heard the original revelation of the prophet. Uthman then compiled an official Qur’an with 114 Surahs.

Pages 3-5 Watton (Compilation of the Qur’an) How was the problem of contradictory statements in the Qur’an solved? Write out and annotate Helmut Gatje’s quote about the chronology of the Qur’an How did Uthman organise the Qur’an? How is the history of the Qur’an different to that of the Bible?

Pages 3-5 Watton (Compilation of the Qur’an) 5) How does the Muslim view of the Qur’an differ from the view of some Western scholars? (Helmut Gatje and Andrew Rippin for example?)

Important Surahs Using your anthology: Read over Surah 1 (Al-Fatiha) 1-7. Read over Surah 2 (Al-Baqarah) 21-47. Highlight/annotate/make notes on what they’re teaching Muslims and why they’re important.

Homework WIDER READING Look for/think about: Scholarly opinions on the Qur’an. Quotes on the Qur’an. Hadith on the Qur’an. Implications of the Qur’an.

Progress Check Plenary What have you learnt this lesson? Facts – e.g Ideas/viewpoints Similarities/differences - diversity Key words/concepts Examples of how religion affects the world around us – e.g. culture What contribution to your learning did you make? Contributed to class discussion Worked in a pair/group Organised my time well Found out information for myself Answered thoroughly and thoughtfully Completed extension task Monitored my progress Peer/ self assessed work How did you learn it? Research work Discussion Questioning Pairs/ group work - collaborative Independent learning Using technology e.g video/ internet What do you need to do in order to make further progress? Do further research Background reading Develop my writing technique Contribute more in class Proof read my work Give examples to back up my ideas Make connections between different beliefs and faiths