Exploring the Sources of Islam Gabriella Machiavelli Muhammed S Exploring the Sources of Islam Gabriella Machiavelli Muhammed S. Khan Sidrah Qadeer

A Closer Look At the Quran Quran is the literal Word of God – it forms the basis of Islamic Teachings He received revelations through the angel Gabriel. Iqra “read” was the first word revealed of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in 610 CE The style of the Quran is expressed in two points: presentation & content The verses of the Quran are divided into two main categories: the first thirteen years of prophethood were spent in Mecca. The second began with Hijrah, or migration to Medinah.

Major Themes of the Quran Three Major Themes: The absolute authority of Allah The accountability of humans for their deeds The impermanence of this life Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) could not write, so he asked his literate followers to be his secretaries

The Teachings of the Prophet (PBUH) The second most important source of Islam Sunnah – the actions, customs, or way of the Prophet (PBUH) The Prophet’s (PBUH) recorded sayings and teachings are known as the hadith, whereas, the Quran is the literal Word of God The Qur’an has a distinct religious tone; the hadiths are more like statements or pronouncements

How Are Hadiths Different from the Qur’an? “O You who believe, shall I lead you to a bargain that will save you from a painful doom? It is that you believe in Allah and His Messenger and then strive in His cause with your wealth and your persons. That is best for you if only you knew.” (61:10-11) Hadiths: The older a person gets the more his desire for two things increases: wealth and longevity. (Bukhari) Learning is a duty on every Muslim, male and female. (Bukhari)

Who Recorded the Hadiths? A large majority of hadith were passed on orally from parent-to-child over several generations In the late 7th century, official compilation of the hadith in written form began Isnad – a chain going back to the original person who heard the hadith from the Prophet (PBUH) Common designations of hadith – Sahih, Hasan, Dhaif, Saqim, Ahad, Mutawatir

The Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) Sahaba (companions) – anyone who heard, saw, or spent time with the Prophet (PBUH) Some of the best-known sahaba include: Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq Umar ibn al Khattab Usman ibn Affan Ali ibn Abi Talib Hamza Bilal ibn Rab’ah Khadijah bint Khuwaylid Umm Salamah Umm Ammarah A’ishah Sumayyah bint Khubbat Barakah

Scholars of Faith Muslim scholars (the ‘Ulema) organize and interpret the data given in the Qur’an and the hadiths. New additions to Islamic Law - ONLY when dealing with unexpected issues within the Muslim community, such as in-vetro fertilization, cryogenic freezing, and organ transplantation. Science of Fiqh (deducing legal positions): sources consulted: Qur’an, Hadiths, Consensus of the Sahaba on an issue (‘Ijma), and one’s independent reasoning (Qiyas). Ijtehad is the process of coming up with definitive rulings that rely on a lot of independent thought. Recent legal rulings are called fatwas.

To become a scholar:  One must study at an accepted Islamic university or with a graduate who is given permission to teach higher studies (shaykh).  After about 5 years of study, one gets a certificate called ‘Ijazah, similar to a Masters degree in Islamic studies.  Madh-hab (schools of Islamic thought) The madh-habs that have survived to this day:  The Hanafi (Sunni)  The Shafi (Sunni)  The Maliki (Sunni)  The Hanbali (Sunni)  The Ja’fari (Shi’a)  All are valid paths to being a good Muslim!

The Least You Should Know About Islam… Muslims consider the Quran to be the literal Word of God dictated to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) The sayings of the Prophet are considered secondary in status to the Quran Muslim scholars are considered to be the authorities on Islam but are not considered holy in the same way a priests or rabbi is. Women can become scholars in Islam as well