...HANDOUT 13 Internet Resources Muslim Contributions to Civilization: Past and Present I. Islam and Science A. (Article) Science and Civilization in Islam (Seyyed Hossein Nasr) http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/med/nasr.html B. Overview of Islamic Culture and the Medical Arts (National Library of Medicine Exhibit) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/islamic_medical/islamic_00.html C. Resource page of Islam SET (Science, Environment and Technology) ( www.islamset.com) http://www.islamset.com/introd.html i. History of Islamic Science http://www.islamset.com/heritage/history.html ii. History of Muslim Pharmacology http://www.islamset.com/heritage/pharmacy/index.html D. History of Islamic Biomedicine (links to many articles on this topic, including chronology of Muslim civilization) http://www.mic.ki.se/Arab.html E. Numbers http://www.islamic-paths.org/Home/English/History/Literature/Arabic_Numerals.htm II. Environment A. Islam and the Environment, theory and practice (Dr. Mawil Izzi Dien) http://www.lampeter.ac.uk/trs/staffgallery/mawil_paper.html B. (Article) Islam and Ecology http://www.crosscurrents.org/islamecology.htm III. History and Civilization A. History of Islamic Civilization http://www.islamset.com/islam/civil/index.html - and http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/islam/islamsbook.html Pg. 1 HANDOUT 13 B. Influence of Islamic Culture on Western Civilization http://www.netiran.com/Htdocs/Clippings/Social/950300XXSO02...
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...Introduction This paper will discuss about the history of Islam, the importance of three elements Qur’an, Five pillars, and Ramadan. Lastly differences and similarities in how the branches of Islam (Sunni, Shiite, and Sufi) practice their traditions. Islam is a religion that was founded and based all in one faith God, Allah. In Arabic the word Islam means "submission or surrender of one's will to the only true god worthy of worship (Islam, 2016). Islam is not just a religion it is a way of life. A Muslim is someone who follows the religion of Islam. The relationship between these two words is that Islam is actually an Arabic word that means, "to submit, and Muslim is also Arabic for "one who submits (The root, 2010). Islam is a religion in which, like any other religion, has beliefs and traditions that have been passed down through different generations. History of Islam Islam is one of the largest religions in the world, with over 1 billion followers. The most divine statement or “Shahada” in Islam is (bibilical training, 2015). There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger. Islam was established in Arabia and it follows all the rules given by God through Muhammad, the prophet. Islam is an Arabic term that signifies “surrender” in general terms (The root, 2010). However, it signifies giving up fully to God in its exact religious meaning. Muslims are those who practice this religion or those who give up themselves to God. For them, God is the ultimate creator who will...
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...Contention between the Islam and the west The Islam world and the west are two civilizations that have been closely entangled in the last fourteen centuries. It is a history full with disagreement and conflict, antagonism and dispute, approval and detestation, recognition and denunciation among other conflictings. Despite the perceptions of Islam and the west, the opinions of those in both Muslim and western worlds have been shaped by these histories. That’s why relations between Islam and the West never lose significance in our world. A short synopsis of this extensive history discloses three facets of interaction; religious, cultural, and political. 1. The Religious Dispute. Islam describes itself to be the last of the three immense Abraham faith societies. The Qurʾān and ḥadīth which are the two lawful foundations of Islam and the scholarly traditions disclose a sharp understanding of Judaism and Christianity. They depict passion for Jews and Christians to unite in monotheism against Meccan polytheism and its decadence. Having from a multi-religious and multicultural environment, the early Muslims were in touch with the diverse Jewish and Christian societies of the East in the 8th and 9th centuries. Subsequently, the belief of St. Bernard of Clairvaux (d. 1153) and Ramon Llull (d. 1315), John of Segovia (d. 1458) , the first missionary to Muslims, believed that opposing the threat of Islam was not by just building armies, which they couldn’t at the time but persuading...
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...Regina Edwards Lakisha Lewis Sinceria Lewis Religion/134 October 11, 2012 Stephanie Cripps Contemporary Issues in Western Religions This paper will reflect research on contemporary issues in Western Religions. The main objective is to elaborate on Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. The other key focus is to uncover the struggles within its historical and modern times. Islam is an interesting subject because it has plenty history surrounding Islamic cultures, and the contrast between Judaism, and Christianity. Nevertheless, revealing how time has change from than to now also captivate some attention. Exploring the foundation surrounding Islam such as Abraham, and the other forefathers is rewarding when searching the history of these three religions. Historical connections Islam and Judaism share connections starting very early in history with the patriarch Abraham. Abraham had two sons, Ishmael, and Isaac, who eventually went on to lead two different groups of people. Ishmael led the Arabs who later became known as the Muslims and Isaac led the Israelites who later became Jews. These two different groups of religions grew and traditions known today in modern religion. Each religion shares a monotheistic belief and has similar belief in prophets. The Tanakh tells the story of Exodus...
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...Islam is the world's fastest growing faith. It all began in 610 C.E. when the Prophet Muhammad received revelations of the Quran in Mecca. Islam's reputation of promoting a strict and controlling government, female oppression, civil war, and terrorism is not completely correct. Islam is a rich and complex religion that is often misunderstood in the modern world. There have been many obstacles that have been faced. Islam wouldn't exist today with its leaders, the Crusades, and their empires. The most important leader was, of course, Muhammad. He basically set up Islam and preached and converted many to this religion. He insisted that it was wrong to build a private fortune but good to share wealth and create a society where the weak and vulnerable were treated with respect (51). Umar, Muhammad's second successor and father-in-law, was very important to Islam's history. He was originally opposed to Islam but converted right after he heard some verses from the Quran. Islam made its largest and fastest expansion under Umar's reign; the Muslim forces conquered Syria, Jerusalem, Egypt, Libya, Iraq, and armies of Persia. This period is often thought as the Golden Age of Islam. It was when Muslims were at the top of their regions social order and when Islam was the most pure for it had not yet been corrupted by power or privilege. There have been many other leaders that followed, and all of them have contributed to Islamic history. The Crusades were a series of wars that were started...
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...1 HISTORY OF ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION PART II: 1258 C.E. TO PRESENT SPRING 2012 (21:510:288) M.W. 4:00-5:20 (MW6) CONKLIN HALL 446 Dr. Nükhet Varlık varlik@andromeda.rutgers.edu Office Hours: M. W. 5:20-5:50 pm and by appointment Office: Conklin Hall, 310 TEXTBOOK: o Arthur Goldschmidt Jr., A concise history of the Middle East, Westview Press, 2002. o Marvin E Gettleman & Stuart Schaar, The Middle East and Islamic world reader, New York, 2003. o Additional primary source readings will be posted on Blackboard. o Also see: Internet Islamic History Sourcebook (compiled by Paul Halsall) COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is a survey of the history of the Islamic civilization. In this course, we will study social, economic, and cultural aspects of the history of the Middle and Near East region, from the dramatic arrival of Mongol armies in the mid-thirteenth century up to the present era. The treatment of the subject will be roughly chronological, though social and economic life, culture, and arts will be discussed thoroughly throughout the course. In addition to lectures, the course will heavily draw upon discussion sessions, which will give students a hands-on approach to history. In these sessions, we will discuss in detail various historical problems presented in the text, lectures, and audio-visual materials. 1 2 COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: - name and identify individuals, events, themes, and issues of major...
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...American Literature Jennifer Barnes Ms. K Meeks March 10, 2011 Islam and Christianity Christianity and Islam are two of the most significant religions in the world today. Both religions are very similar with only some of the beliefs and teachings being different. Christianity started about 2000 years ago in Judea with Jesus Christ and his faithful group of disciples. It has grown into one of the major religions, impacting all other faiths and changing the course of human history. Its sacred scripture is the Bible, particularly the New Testament. Its principal beliefs are that Jesus is the Son of God (the second person of the Holy Trinity), that God’s love for the world is the essential component of his being, and that Jesus died to redeem humankind. Christianity means “one who is crystallized into one.” Islam means "entire submission to the Will of Allah" in Arabic, and a Muslim is one who submits to the will of Allah (God). Islam’s primary significance is the making of peace first within one‘s self, and then for humanity as a whole. The author of Islam is Allah (God). The book of Islam is the Holy Qur’an, and the scriptures that were taught to the prophets. Islam has five beautiful fundamental principles of belief. Belief in Allah and his Apostle, Belief in Zakat (spending in the cause of truth), Belief in Fasting, Belief in Pilgrimage, Belief in Prayer(5 times daily). These beliefs are strictly enforced by each and everyone that prescribes to the title of...
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...Soleman Abdi Idd Hist 275 Essay 1 : Islam was born in the Hijaz in the 7th century and expanded to the rest of the Middle East where its key institutions were established. Simultaneously, it went through a rapid wave of expansion and eventually reached the African continent though North Africa and was progressively embraced in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, we cannot say there was such a thing as a unique process of expansion of Islam because an African identity was inexistent. Indeed, the continent and especially our area of focus, consisting of North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, was composed of different regions defined by their ethnicity and their ancestry. Furthermore, the physical separation created by the Sahara desert also played a major role into accentuating the disparities. We will explore here, how the introduction of Islam in both regions differed significantly and how in the secondary phase of “rooting” of the faith, this key difference in the first contacts the religion had in these two regions led to the establishment of two distinct Islams. Finally, we will demonstrate that when we look beyond the complexity of both processes, they ultimately share many similarities. The main difference in the process of arrival of Islam in North Africa and Sub-Saharan African is displayed by the rapidity of expansion. Whereas by 720, North Africa was controlled by the Muslims, the adoption of Islam below the Sahara appeared to be more slowly paced and...
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...practice and religion base as you do. There are several different religion but the main three are Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. In the beginning Christianity, Judaism, and Islam was somehow connected, unfortunately due to disobedience what was first one end up becoming three, in which caused different beliefs followed by different gods. Along with these beliefs came may struggles to obtain and carry out the very thing that they were proven to be right, pure and true. The Islamic religion believes that Allah “was the creator and sustainer of life” (Molly, M., 1999, Page 425.) Christianity believes that God is the creator and sustainer of life. Judaism also believes that God is the creator and sustainer of life. All three religion believes there is a higher power. Islam describes Jesus as a prophet as described here, “He encountered angels and the great prophets of the past, including Abraham and Jesus,” (Molly, M., 1999, Page 428) Judaism also describes Jesus as a prophet as well because Jesus, in their opinion, did not save the Jews. They believed that the real Messiah was going to become their military leader on earth and create an Eden in Jerusalem. They had expected the real Messiah to expel the Romans and rule the new world. (Molly, M., 1999, Page 346) Both the Jews and Islam are able to trace their way back to Abraham. The Jews are the descendant of Isaac and Islam is the descendant of Ishmael. Ishmael’s mother was Hagar, who was Sarah’s slave, and his father was...
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...Investigate a Social Issue Jacquelyn Wintersteen Don Anderson Introduction to Sociology December 9, 2012 Religion plays a large role in society across the globe, whether it’s being recognized by believers or non-believers. The main religions that have been viewed around the world for most of our developments are Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. There have been new religions forming, such as Mormonism, which have been aiding in the reshaping of our societies and tolerance. For a good part of human existence, religion has been a factor of life, shaping the mind of the Homo sapiens. Hinduism is viewed as the world’s oldest religion, dating back to 2nd century BCE. Hinduism had gone through great change over the centuries, beginning with the change of the Aryan Gods, originally including Indra, Soma, and Agni, with Vishnu and Shiva as minor deities that become the main deities by 300BCE. Mahatma Gandhi has become the ‘face’ of Hinduism since the 1950’s, when he attempted to abolish the caste system within the religion. Hinduism has segregated its followers into ‘castes’, which include the Brahmins, the ritual priests, Kshatriyas, the warriors, Vaishyas, the merchants, and lastly the Shudras, the manual laborers (Kinnard, 2012). The caste system is separated much like the class system of earlier eras where Church was at the top, followed by Nobles, merchants, and the lower class of laborers. Buddhism was created out of dissatisfaction for Hinduism in 5th...
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...Felton Professor World History 112 Since 1500 Date Contending for Islam The rapid spread of secular culture and the intensification of interloping of the west into the Islamic nations in the past prompt hyped debates among affected Muslims. Muslims are in a dilemma on the principals and cultural values to apply and the ones that they should reject. Again, the compatibility of the western culture with the Muslim tradition is also in doubt. Tough questions whose answers remain concealed clouds Muslim traditions over time. The paper gives stout thoughts and ideas of controversies derived from the readings of several authors while supporting various facts using relevant literature sources. It identifies how the authors use history to pass their arguments and the historical context of their appeals. Specifically, the paper will draw its points from the articles titled, Political Islam, Progressive Islam, and Abandoning Islam. Political Islam The document clearly uses history to deliver his message to his audiences strongly. Ayatollah's article is a typical representation of thoughts that fit in the historical time. The document's message refers to a time when the Islamic revolution had just ended in Iran to create a government that was purely Islamic. The author uses historical issues that foster his points further. His reference to the lifestyle of the western people...
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...Kayla Marshall 2012-09-REL-275-OL009: INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM Semester 1 Enrolled 2012 Islam as a religion started with the teachings of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The word Islam stands for “submission” seen as the total surrender of self to God or Allah. A Muslim is the believer of Islam and means “one who submits to God”. Submission of God is established by following moral standards of everyday life. Muslims trust that God conveyed the Quran to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel and regarded the Quran as the fundamental source of Islam. Muslims do not see Muhammad as the founder of Islam but as the reestablishment of monotheistic faith of Jesus and other prophets. Muhammads revelations held great meaning, “The message Muhammad received in these revelation was a warning that only through devotion to the one and only God and through righteous observance of the revealed law could people attain salvation in their afterlife”, and the revelations accentuated the importance of the devotion to the one and only God. Believers are made to perceive the Five Pillars of Islam, Islamic law has made a custom of rulings that take part in all aspects of society. Muhammad greatest victories could be seen as the conquest of Mecca in 630 C.E. By “Muhammads death in 1632, his community had expanded- more by religious persuasion and political alliance than by force- to include all of western Arabia, and he had made fruitful contact with some groups in the northern Hijaz, Nejd, eastern Arabia...
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...Sufism ideology helped spread Islam in South Asia because it is an amalgamation of the spiritual and mysticism of Islam that was appealing to Indians whose native religion focused on both of those aspects. Sufism is a spiritual tradition which originated within Islam, its development paralleled that of Islam but it focused more on the spirtual development of the individual and G-d. Sufism was influenced by cultures of peoples and itself influenced the culture, a fusion of traditions and religion came to define how Sufism created grassroots of Islam in northern India. Sufism paved the way for Islam in northern India because it acted as the intimidate stage by converting non-believers toward the path of Islam that allowed for future Islamic missionaries to convert faster. The fundamental tenets that make up Sufism deal with a spiritual focus of Islam rather than the dictated and systematic understanding of religion. Sufism developed a form of Islam that historinan Jonathan Berkey claims was “…graft[ed] onto ascetic traditions with a mystical dimension… that lead to a distinctly mystical approach to religious understanding.” (Berkey, 2003: p.156). This merging of mysticism, defined as “the spiritual apprehension of knowledge inaccessible to the intellect, attained through contemplation and self-surrender…”, produced a form Islam that connected an individual not with the material world but the spiritual world. This connection between an individual and G-d, seems intoxicating to...
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...cultural events worldwide: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. All are called Abrahamic religions because each utilizes the teaches of Abraham in its central historical view of the world. Each of the three Abrahamic faiths are monotheistic, and actually account for over 50% of the world’s population, or almost 4 billion people (Christian Science Monitor, 8/4/98). Note, too, that besides the three major traditions, other religions cite their traditions from Abraham: Mandaenism, Rastafairnism, Bahai, Samaritan, and the Druze (“Why Abrahamic?”) It is also interesting to note that within these three religious teachings, there are considerable areas of commonality, yet the three are often at odds with one another over political and social issues, even in the contemporary world. The name Judaism comes from the Hebrew word Yehuda, meaning celebrated or praised. This set of beliefs originated from the ancient tribes of the Middle Eastern deserts, the Israelites, and told within the Talmud, or the ancient Hebrew Bible. In essence, Judaism is the special relationship that the Children of Israel have with God, and that special relationship derived from promises and covenants of law, tradition, and civil rights. Many scholars, in fact, see Judaism as one of the first monotheistic religions (depending on the argument about the Egyptian Sun-King, Amon-Ra), and its history and traditions have strongly influences other religions, most especially Islam and Christianity (Robinson, 2001). Judaism,...
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...THE EARLY ISLAMIC ERA Name Institution Introduction The start and spread of Islam is a broad body of knowledge that has been explained extensively by religious scholars and philosophers alike. Despite the presence of Christianity from the ancient times, Islam has had a tremendous growth particularly in the Middle East where up to now it is still the leading religion in the region. The early Islamic era is a fascinating study for historians who seek to understand the dynamics that gave birth to one of the biggest religion in the world; and with such a strong faith base. Islam is characterized by a unifying component that places all the Muslims across the nations in one category of identity. According to Khan (2011), it is very easy to recognize that an environment belongs to Islam than it is to identify the other religions. The early Islamic era, if it is anything to believe, was stronger than the crystallized Islam we have today. There is a concept that Islam spread rapidly because of the use of the sword in one hand and the Quran on the other hand. This is believed to have been done by the Jihadist among other substantial members of the Muslim faith. This notion forms the controversy that further catapults this study and makes it more interesting. This paper thus, focuses and explores the reasons that underpinned the rapid spread of Islam beyond Arabia. It also seeks to establish the understanding of the motive behind the early Islamic conquests. More importantly it sought...
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