HU/IS204/Dr.
Traboulsi
QURAN: Readings from the Suras 1 and 4
“In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.”
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
• Arabia before Islam [Religious Groups: Jews, ‘Christians’, Pagans; Commerce and
trade-routes, City states (Mecca, Yathreb, Taef), etc.]
MUHAMMAD, THE PROPHET OF ISLAM, LIFE & MISSION
• Born in Mecca (Makkah) in CE 570
• Tribe of Quraysh, Clan of Banu Hashim
• Parents: Abdallah ibn Muttalib & Aminah bint Wahb
• Orphan since childhood; raised by Abdul Muttalib (grandfather) and Abu Talib (uncle)
• Well known since childhood for his integrity and honesty
• Worked for Khadijah, a wealthy widow of Mecca
• Marriage: Khadijah (40) → Muhammad (25)
• 12 wives: Khadijah, Saudah, Aisha, Um Salimah, Zainab bint Khuzaymah, Juwayriyah,
Zainab bint Jahsh, Um Habiba, Safiyyah, Maimounah, and Myriam
• 605-610 Prayers and Meditation in a cave in Jabal-an-Nur (mountain of light).
• Mission: AD 610 in Mekkah (an idol-worshippers’ city) preaching his belief in One
Transcendent God, in Revelation, and in Resurrection and the Last Judgment.
• First companions (Sahaba): Abdullah Ibn Mass'oud, Salem Ibn Ma'akal, Ma'ath Ibn
Jabal, Abiy Ibn Ka'ab and Zeyd Ibn Thabet
• The Night Journey: Isra and Mi’raj ( )اﻹﺳﺮاء واﻟﻤﻌﺮاجare the two parts of a journey that P.
Muhammad took in one night around the year 621. In the first part (Isra), P. Muhammad
was carried on a Buraq from the Kaaba in Mecca to the Masjid Al Aqsa in Jerusalem. In
the second part (Mi’raj), P. Muhammad was taken to the Heavens, where he spoke with
the earlier prophets and then with God (Sura 17). Many Muslims consider it a physical
journey but some scholars consider it a dream or vision.
• Migration (HIJRA) to Yathreb/Medina (CE 622) (the beginning of the Islamic lunar
calendar)
• Ansar (Helpers of Madinah) & Muhajirun (Immigrants from Mecca)
• Islamic State & Divine Code of Law
• Defensive wars (622-625/6), offensive wars (622-630)
• 630: The Conquest of Mecca
• 632 (8 June?!): Muhammad’s death of sickness
ISLAM
THE TEACHINGS OF ISLAM
- God [One, Unique] (99 Attributes) vs. Shirk [Association]
- The Human Being [God’s agent on Earth]
- The Universe [Paradise, Earth, Hell]
- Man’s destiny
- God’s Revelations
o Sacred Books (Tawrat, Zabour, Injil, & Quran) [What about their differences?]
o Prophets (e.g., Adam, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Jesus, Muhammad)
o Angels: The angels are the messengers of God. He sends them to carry out
his will.
o Nature: In the Qur'an the good things of the natural world are called 'signs' of
God's bounty and Mercy [30.46-50].
THE QURAN, HADITH, & SHARIA
[Readings 4a-4b]
HU/IS204/Dr. Traboulsi 2
The Qur’an [114 Suras]:
- Muslims believe that the Qur'an is the pure word of God: 1) Not one word therein is
not divine and 2) not a single word has been deleted from its text. From the time the
Book began to be revealed, P. Muhammad had dictated its text to the scribes (Zeyd
Ibn Thabet and Abiy Ibn Ka'ab).
- The Quran contains two types of verses: Meccan Verses: Those revealed before
Hijra (a period of political inadequacy, religious moderation and tolerance towards
both Jews and Christians) and Medinan Verses: Those revealed after Hijra (period of
Islamic military as well as political and social solidarity which is distinguished by its
wars). They were orally read in the beginning.
- Later on, the Quran was officially compiled during Othman’s Caliphate (CE 644-656).
- Tafsir and Ta’wil: The word tafsir is derived from the root ‘fassara’—to explain, to
expound. It means ‘explanation’ or ‘interpretation’ of the outer (zahir) meanings of the
Quran. In technical language the word tafsir is used for explanation, interpretation
and commentary on the Qur’an, comprising all ways of obtaining knowledge, which
contributes to the proper understanding of it, explains its meanings and clarifies its
legal implications. The word ta’wil is derived from the root ‘awwala’ and also means
(esoteric) ‘explanation, interpretation’ of the inner and concealed meanings of the
Quran.
- Three main Tafsîr techniques: Tafsîr bi-l-riwâya (by transmission), also known as
tafsîr bi-l-ma'thûr; Tafsîr bi'l-ra'y (by sound opinion; also known as tafsîr bi-l-dirâya,
by knowledge); and Tafsîr bi-l-ishâra (by indication, from signs)”.
- General techniques to interpret the Quran:
(a) to explain the Qur’an with the Qur’an itself and with the Hadith and Sunnah (Sunnah, i.e.,
the sayings and acts of P. Muhammad)
(b) to refer to the Arabic text (a good knowledge in Arabic (grammar and syntax) is a must)
(c) to separately study the ‘contexts and causes or occasions of the Revelation’ (Asbâb al-
nuzûl) of each verse [that is mainly to study the when, where, and to whom], taken into
consideration that there are abrogated and abrogating verses according to the doctrine of
abrogation (Al-Nâsikh wa Al-Mansûkh) as referred to in the Quran [Al-Baqara 2.106; An-Nahl
16.101; Ar-Rad 13.39; Al-Isra 17.86; Al-Hajj 22.52] although the idea of immutability is clear in
the Quran [Yunus 10.64];
(d) to refer to the words of the Companions (Sahâbah), the successors (Tabi‘în) and to the
commentaries of other eminent scholars (Ulema) of other generations; and finally,
(e) to seek consensus (ijma’), i.e. acceptance of an argument within the various Islamic
school of thought and to apply the way of analogy (Qiyâs)—the rule by precedent in Sunni
Jurisprudence (Fiqh), or the way of deduction (Ijtihad) in Shiite Jurisprudence (Fiqh).
The Hadith:
- They report Muhammad's words and deeds which were collected during his lifetime
by his first disciples. There are reportedly, hundreds of thousands of Hadith which
were transmitted orally for many years before being written down and classified firstly
according to who reported them, then according to subject matter. The most famous
of those collections were the work of Abu Abdullah Muhammad al-Bukhari (9th c.) and
are known as the Sahih (‘Solid’ or ‘Authentic’). Some passages are even recited in
the mosque.
The Shari’a:
- The Law of Islam: Customary Laws, The Civil and Criminal Laws of Government
THE PILLARS
- The main 5 Pillars: The Declaration of the Islamic Creed (The Shahada); The Prayer-
act (The Salat); Almsgiving (The Zakat); The Fast during the month of Ramadan
(The Sawm); Pilgrimage to Mecca (The Hajj)
- Other pillars: Al-Dhikr: The Remembrance of God; Al-Tawbah: Repentance; Al-Du’a:
The Supplication; Al-Tankiyah: The Purification; Al-Jihad: Exertion; Al-Da’wah: The
Invitation
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TWO MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
1. A harmonious equilibrium between the temporal and the spiritual (the body and the
soul), permitting a full enjoyment of all the good that God has created, (Quran 7:32),
enjoining at the same time on everybody duties towards God, such as worship,
fasting, charity, etc. Islam was to be the religion of the masses and not merely of the
elect.
2. A universality of the call - all the believers becoming brothers and equals without any
distinction of class or race or tongue. The only superiority which it recognizes is a
personal one, based on the greater fear of God and greater piety (Quran 49:13).
THE READINGS
THE OPENING [S 1]
This initial or prefatory chapter is made up of seven verses from the period which the
prophet passed in Mecca.
It was revealed after The Man Wearing a Cloak [74] and before The Flame [111].
The chapter has classical expression, and is “simple in wording but full of meaning”,
which eventually works into our consciousness as we repeat it daily.
This is the customary invocation used in Islamic ceremonies of all kinds, and it forms
a true prayer, occupying somewhat the same place in the Islam as the Lord’s Prayer
does with Christians.
The chapter is often said to contain the “essence” of the Qur’an. It also bears witness
to God’s presence everywhere.
WOMEN [S. 4]
This long chapter contains 176 verses arranged in 24 sections which date from the
fourth year that the Prophet spent in Medina, or A.D. 625-6.
It was revealed after Examining Her [60] and after the Battle of Uhud 3/625.
These concern marriage laws (I & IV), and how to treat women, as the title itself
suggests; in fact, the word “women” echoes constantly throughout this chapter.
It also takes up the subject of orphans (I & XIX), especially those girls left after the
battle of Uhud, men’s duty in maintaining their own households (VI), and matrimonial
rifts (VI & XIX).
Inheritance is also dealt with (I –II, XXIV).
Sexual offences form a further theme (III), as does etiquette and politeness (XI).
The sin of Association is mentioned several times (VI, VII & XVIII).
Conditions for prayer are stated (VII) and the problem of performing prayers during
warfare when they are probably most needed, is worked out (XV).
Manslaughter and murder come up in XIII.
We are told to obey constituted authority (VIII), and to strive to please God (X).
Lackeys or “yesmen” are described in XX, while the Jews are mentioned in XXII.
CHRISTIAN – MUSLIM RELATIONSHIP: THEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES
The Christian Bible vs. the Quran as ‘God/Allah’s Words’
The Trinity (The Triune God) vs. Tawheed (Allah)
Jesus’ Lordship in Christianity (Incarnation, the only-begotten Son of God;
Crucifixion, death, resurrection) vs. Issa’s Prophethood in Islam
Muhammad in the Bible (Who is the Paraclyte (the comforter)?)
Muhammad as the Successor to Christ
The Ekklisia vs. The Ummah
The True Religion (Deen): Christianity or Islam?
