Sacred text and Morality in Islam Qur’an and Hadith

The Qur’an The first pillar of Islam (Shahada) is a summary of the Qur’an: The first pillar of Islam (Shahada) is a summary of the Qur’an: There is one God There is one God God speaks through prophets (Muhammad) God speaks through prophets (Muhammad) The Qur’an gives guidance on how to worship, behave and see the world The Qur’an gives guidance on how to worship, behave and see the world The book is kept on the highest piece of furniture in a room and always kept clean The book is kept on the highest piece of furniture in a room and always kept clean Children learn from the Qur’an very young in Arabic Children learn from the Qur’an very young in Arabic Anyone who memorizes the Qur’an is known as hafiz (memorizer) Anyone who memorizes the Qur’an is known as hafiz (memorizer)

How the Qur’an is organized It is divided into 114 Suras, which are more like chapters than books It is divided into 114 Suras, which are more like chapters than books They are in order from longest to shortest. They are in order from longest to shortest. They are numbered and named (e.g. there is a chapter called Maryam, about the mother of Prophet Isa (Jesus). They are numbered and named (e.g. there is a chapter called Maryam, about the mother of Prophet Isa (Jesus). Most Suras begin with with the words: “In the name of Allah, the compassionate, the Merciful” Most Suras begin with with the words: “In the name of Allah, the compassionate, the Merciful” It does not tell a story or give facts; rather is is organized more like classical music ( with repetitive themes and dramatic movements ) It does not tell a story or give facts; rather is is organized more like classical music ( with repetitive themes and dramatic movements )

Islamic views on divine revelation Islam recognizes 3 sets of scriptures as containing partial revelations of God’s will: Islam recognizes 3 sets of scriptures as containing partial revelations of God’s will: The Torah The Torah The Psalms The Psalms The Gospels The Gospels These books are considered inspired by God – the Qur’an is the complete and final revelation These books are considered inspired by God – the Qur’an is the complete and final revelation

Interpretations of the Qur’an Originally, it was believed to not need interpretation Originally, it was believed to not need interpretation After Muhammad’s death and Islam spread to new cultures and languages, interpretation was needed After Muhammad’s death and Islam spread to new cultures and languages, interpretation was needed Two sources complement the Qur’an: Two sources complement the Qur’an: The Sunna – a collection of the prophet’s words and actions, by his family and friends; “sunna” means “beaten path” The Sunna – a collection of the prophet’s words and actions, by his family and friends; “sunna” means “beaten path” The Hadith – writings about the prophet (sometimes the authenticity of these are debated) The Hadith – writings about the prophet (sometimes the authenticity of these are debated)

Sharia law Islamic law ( sharia ) comes from the Qur’an, Sunnah and Hadith (Muslims look first to the Qur’an) Islamic law ( sharia ) comes from the Qur’an, Sunnah and Hadith (Muslims look first to the Qur’an) In some countries, shariahlaw is the law of the state In some countries, shariahlaw is the law of the state Sharia includes laws about crime, economics, sexuality, modesty, politics, prayer, food, divorce etc. Sharia includes laws about crime, economics, sexuality, modesty, politics, prayer, food, divorce etc. Interpretation of sharia varies in its strictness from country to country Interpretation of sharia varies in its strictness from country to country

5 Categories of Shariah Obligatory actions/duties – following 5 pillars of Islam Obligatory actions/duties – following 5 pillars of Islam Recommended actions – giving charity beyond zakat Recommended actions – giving charity beyond zakat Neutral actions – things not addressed in scriptures Neutral actions – things not addressed in scriptures Discouraged actions – divorce (but there is no penalty) Discouraged actions – divorce (but there is no penalty) Forbidden actions – murder, theft, adultery Forbidden actions – murder, theft, adultery

How sharia is observed In Islamic states, sharia is observed through laws of country In Islamic states, sharia is observed through laws of country Penalties are harsh, but rarely carried out – God is forgiving and judges consider the circumstances of a crime Penalties are harsh, but rarely carried out – God is forgiving and judges consider the circumstances of a crime In Canada, Muslims observe sharia in the moral aspects of behaviour In Canada, Muslims observe sharia in the moral aspects of behaviour Some wish to apply sharia to situations like family law Some wish to apply sharia to situations like family law Balance between civil law and sharia in Canada – Canada accommodates limited observance Balance between civil law and sharia in Canada – Canada accommodates limited observance Muslims legal experts provide new interpretations for situations not covered in the scriptures Muslims legal experts provide new interpretations for situations not covered in the scriptures

Fatwas A fatwa is a religious order given by a scholar who is authorized to do so A fatwa is a religious order given by a scholar who is authorized to do so Usually about daily religious life (prayer, fasting) but can be about current events Usually about daily religious life (prayer, fasting) but can be about current events In Sunni Islam, these orders are not binding (they are one authority’s opinion) In Sunni Islam, these orders are not binding (they are one authority’s opinion) In Shi’a Islam, they are sometimes seen as binding by individuals – e.g. an individual asks an authority for opinion on a personal issue In Shi’a Islam, they are sometimes seen as binding by individuals – e.g. an individual asks an authority for opinion on a personal issue A fatwa doesn’t necessarily become part of Islamic teaching A fatwa doesn’t necessarily become part of Islamic teaching

Themes in the Qur’an Submission to the will of God (life is a struggle (jihad) to surrender to God) Submission to the will of God (life is a struggle (jihad) to surrender to God) God requires that people pray God requires that people pray God is beyond definitions – He is merciful but also a stern judge – there are 99 names for God revealed God is beyond definitions – He is merciful but also a stern judge – there are 99 names for God revealed God is one – anything that distracts from this (e.g. money, nationalism) is to be avoided God is one – anything that distracts from this (e.g. money, nationalism) is to be avoided God made the universe and people need to care for creation God made the universe and people need to care for creation There will be a final judgment and resurrection of the dead There will be a final judgment and resurrection of the dead