Quran Midterm Exam

What are four benefits of studying religion identified by Gary Kessler? Explain each. Correct answer- - Developing a global multicultural perspective- this new perspective allows us to better engage with the diverse people around us and escape ethnocentric attitudes. - Comparative perspective- comparing person religion with others, which allows you to not only learn about other religions, but gain a deeper understand of our own and what we believe. - Reflect on the meaning and purpose of our lives- studying religion gives us time to think and reflect on how to live the good life. this makes us better people and allows us to develop our belief in the purpose of life. - Prepares you for career- makes one tolerant to diversity and able to engage with all different people. This is a strong quality that employers look for. Gives your more knowledge of history. Identify two major predicted changes to the religious landscape of the US and two major predicted changes to the religious landscape of the world that are expected to occur in your life time. (Pew) Correct answer- US: 1. Christian population will decline greatly from ¾ pop in 2010 to 2/3 in 2050. 2. Judaism will no longer be the largest non-Christian religion World: 1. # of Muslims will nearly equal the # of Christians around the world 2. 4/10 Christians in the world will live in Sub-Saharan Africa What common goals does Pope Paul VI envision for Christians and Muslims? Identify at least three. (Nostra Aetate) Correct answer- - Urges all to forget the past and work for mutual understanding - Promote social justice and moral welfare - Promote peace and freedom Polemics Correct answer- an attack on the religion of others Apologetics Correct answer- the defense of an individual's own religion TRUE or FALSE: It is illegal to teach about the Bible or Qur'an in American public schools. Explain. (Kessler) Correct answer- - False. Teaching about it merely provides information without supporting a particular sect. however, they must avoid the teaching OF religion, which promotes a particular viewpoint b/c that would go against the doctrine of religious freedom. What is the difference between studying a religion from an insider's (confessional) and an outsider's (academic) perspective? Identify the methodological difference and a pro and con of each approach (assuming each method is executed well) (Kessler) For the mid-term/final, but not for the quiz, be able to explain the methodological difference in terms of their different goals, assumptions, and typical questions. Correct answer- - Insiders- the study of religion is a religious activity that presupposes a commitment. o Pro: can appreciate feelings that an observer can easily miss, emotional connection o Con: can become defensive and prejudicial (distort the facts) o Assumptions: god exists, Islam is true, Muhammad is true o Questions: what should I do, what should I believe - Outsiders- the academic study of religion that does not presuppose any religious commitment o Pro: greater hope for achieving objectivity, less bias o Con: can lead to radical depersonalization of the subject matter. o Assumptions- not relevant, not assuming and not denying Which Christian denomination is Texas Christian University affiliated with? What are two "hallmarks" of this denomination? Explain each hallmark. (Middleton and Flowers) Correct answer- - The Disciples of Christ 1. Commitment to ecumenism- an openness and willingness to engage in difference. Unity is sought in diversity 2. Academic rigor- a thinking faith in which we view religious devotion in tandem with the study of social, biological science, fine arts, etc. textual essentialism Correct answer- belief that actions of Muslims can be explained by the sacred text What are three good habits necessary to engage in the academic study of religion? Explain each. (Kessler pp. 4-9 and Hewer) Correct answer- - Openness-to let data in, be open to surprises, and recognize the fallibility of one's beliefs. - Honesty- not having prejudice when learning new things and overcome the viewpoints that they may impose. - Critical intelligence- to see things clearly so judgement is fair. It involves analysis where you break ideas down and synthesis is putting the things back together to understand the ideas as a whole. What are three bad habits to avoid when studying another religion? (Kessler pp. 4 - 9 and Hewer) Correct answer- - Using non-native terms (ex: NOT church, yes MOSQUE) - Textual essentialism- belief that a sacred text fully explains the actions of religious people (ex: Quran was a best seller after 9/11) - Making Islam a monolith- assuming all Muslims believe and act the same way What is the problem with relying upon the news media for one's knowledge of other countries and cultures, including the Muslim world? Correct answer- Because the news broadcasts things like Muslim terrorism because that gets them the most views. They partake in framing, which includes a lot of biases, and leads the world to view Islam in a very negative light. Jahiliyya Correct answer- What: Age of ignorance. Time of lawlessness, immaturity, and ignorance. When: preislamic period, before the revelation of the Quran Where: in arabia Why: Ka'ba Correct answer- Who- associated with God What- cube-shaped building w/ a meteoric lack stone embedded in it, house of God When- 5th century Where- Mecca Why- holy place to worship God Describe the geography of the Arabian Peninsula (Mattson and Hillenbrand) Correct answer- Very desert-like, dry, sandy, like the surface of mars, many oases (agriculture by these) What were the three major sources of economic livelihood for the pre-Islamic Arabs? (Mattson and Hillenbrand) Correct answer- 1. Trade- by sea and camels. Traded milk, meat, leather, textiles, weapons, and incense. 2. Agriculture- dates (staple crop), wheat, and vegetables 3. Herding- goats, camels, and sheep for meat and milk Describe the society and culture of the pre-Islamic pagan Arabs. How was their society structured? What were their values? (List and explain at least four). What was their primary art form? (Mattson and Hillenbrand) Correct answer- - Tribal- everyone in an area is related to common ancestor and you must memorize your ancestors. - Culture: tribes would fight, struggles for power, similar to mafia - Primary art form was poetry. - Positive values: military skill, loyalty, bravery, generosity - Negative values: retaliatory killing (if tribe A kills someone in tribe B, B avenges by killing anyone in tribe A), slavery, alcohol, prostitution, etc. List three religions that had large numbers of adherents in the Arabian Peninsula at the time of the Prophet Muhammad's birth. (Mattson and Hillenbrand) Correct answer- 1. Arabian polytheism 2. Christianity 3. Judaism Muhammad Correct answer- Who- the Prophet of Allah and Founder of Islam What- recited verses from Allah that make up the Quran When- born 570 CE, died 652 CE Where- born in Mecca in Quraysh tribe Why- God sent him information in dreams and through Gabriel. The Prophet sent to confirm the teaching of other prophets. Quraysh Correct answer- What: Tribe Muhammad was born into Who: Leading tribe of Islam When: 5th Century Where: Mecca, controlled Kaba Why: Rejected ideas of Islams and got into many wars with Muslims Khadijah Correct answer- Who- wife of Muhammad, 15 years older than him What- Muhamad's first believer, conversed with Muhammad after first revelation When- married in 595 CE Where- lives in Mecca Why- they meet b/c Khadija hired Muhammad to do work for her Allah Correct answer- Who- God What- primary name used to refer to God in the Quran Islam Correct answer- - Means "submission" - Worship God alone - Monotheistic religion that teaches that Muhammad is the Messenger of God Hijra Correct answer- - When: 622 - Where: Mecca to Medina - What: Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina. Quraysh planned to assassinate him in his sleep, yet his brother slept in his bed instead and he took off to Medina in the middle of the night - Why: Did this to escape persecution. In Medina, Muhamad was able to establish Islam and gain followers. Give a detailed overview of the major events in Muhammad's life until his arrival in Medina. List at least eight events and for four of them, the year in which they occurred. (Hint: it may be easier to memorize the year of Muhammad's birth - 570 CE - and then to memorize events by his age at the time, e.g. He married Khadija at age 25, which would be 595 CE) (Mattson). Correct answer- 570 CE- Muhammad born 576- Mother dies when he is 6 and he becomes an orphan. Begins work as a trader 595- married Khadija 610- received his first revelation from Gabriel 613- begins publicly preaching 619- Khadijah dies. "year of sadness" 622- Hijra migration to Medina 622/623- Constitution of Medina created 628- Muhammad take 1400 followers on peaceful pilgrimage to Mecca 630- Conquest of Mecca 632- Muhammad's Death Why did members of Muhammad's tribe convert? List and explain at least three possible reasons (Mattson) Correct answer- - ersonal trust in the prophet (friends and family, he was also very likeable - Gives women, slaves, orphans, downtrodden, hope. They also had nothing to lose. - Doctrine of the afterlife was appealing when life felt unjust How did the Quraysh respond to Muhammad's preaching? What parts of his preaching did they find problematic and why? (Mattson) Correct answer- - They teased and tortured him, economic boycott, no respect, thought he was a liar, crazy, poet. 1. Condemnation of polytheism a. By calling upon Quraysh to stop worshipping deities, fear that the cosmos will not be maintained 2. Condemnation of idolatry (their religion) a. No one like to be told their day-to-day actions will put them in hell b. By calling upon stop worshipping idols, its an economic threat to the ty b/c theres a religious tourism to kaba worship helpers (Ansar) Correct answer- - Who: Muslims in Medina that helped the migrant Muslims from Mecca - Where: in Medina - When: after Hijra in 622 - Why: they enabled the Muslims to survive in a new city, virtual brotherhoods that Muhammad made between the Ansar and migrants in Medina were one way unified Emigrants (Muhajirun) Correct answer- - Refugees from Mecca who followed Muhammad to Medina to seek safety from prejudice. - Muhammad established a pact of brotherhood between the Ansar and the Muhajirun. The Medinan person will care for the Meccan as if he's his brother Constitution of Medina Correct answer- - Who- written by the Prophet, mainly between Muslims of Medina and Jews - What- pledge of mutual defense, protection of life and property, Muhammad as commander in chief, addresses reciprocal obligation of the people, rights and responsibilities of citizens - When- 622/623 - Where- Medina - Why- United the city and provides order. Muslims at an advantage, Battle of Badr Correct answer- Who- Muslims vs Quraysh (CORRECT?) What- Muhammad authorizes raiding party to take good from Quraysh caravan returning to Mecca When- 624 CE Where- near the red sea coast Muhammad received revelation Why- First military conflict. The prophet and the Muslims won despite being outnumber 1:3 ratio. Increases the faith of the followers. Battle of the Trench / Ditch Correct answer- Who- Quraysh vs. Muslims OR muslims vs. Meccans? What- Quraysh raise largest fihting force peninsula has ever seen (10,000 men). Quraysh gave up. When- 627 CE WhereWhy- Muslims dig a big ditch. Treaty of Hudaybiyyah Correct answer- Who- between Muhammad of Medina and Qurayshi tribe of Mecca What- 10 year peace treaty When- 628 CE WhereWhy- Unequal agreement on treatment of runaways that favored the Quraysh. Helped Muslims grow though because there was peace. Conquest of Mecca Correct answer- Who- 10,000 Muslims march on Mecca What- bloodless conquest WhenWhere- Mecca Why- he grants mass amnesty/forgiveness to inhabitants. Marks the end of wars between followers of Muhammad and the Quraysh tribe. What steps did Muhammad take to organize the city of Medina when he arrived? Discuss the roles played by the Muslim emigrants from Mecca (Muhajirun), Medinese Helpers (Ansar), and Jews. List at least three steps. Correct answer- 1. Built a central mosque in Medina- creates sense of community and allowed Muhammad to address everyone in one place 2. Pact of brotherhood between Meccans and Medinans 3. Constitution of Medina How did the practice of Islam develop in Medina? Identify at least four new developments in ritual practice or religious legislation (obligations and prohibitions). CORRECT? Correct answer- - Prohibition of alcohol - Fast of Ramadan - Zakat- obligatory charity 2.5% of wealth How does the Qur'an talk about war? When does it say that war is permitted and for what purposes? Correct answer- - Gives permission to engage in warfare to stop or prevent oppression - Does not prefer war over other means of achieving justice Does not permit random act of war/violence Give an overview of Muhammad's relationship with the Jews of Medina (starts on p. 65 of Mattson) (Check with Grace) Correct answer- - Muhammad recognizes Judaism as a path to God - Muhammad didn't have any military or political conflict with Jews except for a particular group from the "people of the book" who aided disbelievers. Describe some of the Qur'an's social teachings (from pp. 68-73 of Mattson) Correct answer- - Spiritual equality of men and women - Recognizes sexual desire between men and women, prohibits sexual desire out of marriage - Community building - Promotes the brotherhood of believers by acknowledging that there will be times of conflict due to group differences. Summarize Muhammad's overall impact on Arabian society. Identify at least three areas of change (Lecture) Correct answer- Polytheism à monotheism No belief in afterlife à belief in afterlife No system of law à system of law (IS THIS THE CONSTITUION OF MEDINA?) Disunited warring tribes à united Muslim community Sunna Correct answer- What- The way of the prophet, a customary habit or way of doing things Why- provides guidance for followers, followers tried to mirror Muhammad's everyday actions in their everyday lives. Way of eating, sleeping, walking, sexual desires, everything, etc. Describe Muhammad's physical appearance and demeanor as remembered by his followers. Give at least three descriptions for each (Watt). Correct answer- - Average height - Hooked nose, large black eyes - Fond of children - Gentle - Walked as if he were walking down hill How does the Qur'an understand Muhammad? List at least three understandings. (Handout) Correct answer- - As human, not divine - A beautiful role model - Concerned about his community Explain the role played by Muhammad in Muslim piety. How do Muslims pattern their life on his? Give at least three examples (Hanson). CORRECT? Correct answerMuhammad's sunna is a role model for muslims. They tried to copy his being. - Raise palms open in prayer - The way they enter and exit homes - Hadiths in every Muslim's home Sira Correct answer- Hadith- "speech" What- Transmitted reports of what Muhammad said, did, and approved of. WhyMatn Correct answer- Main Text of a hadith report about prophet