The Creed of Al-Iji

There were a few interesting parts to this particular reading, so I was wondering if anyone found any particular significance to their being 73 sects, and 72 of them being in hell? Also, it is curious as to why there are 27 beliefs listed- is this number significant in any way? Perhaps the most interesting part of this reading is belief number 3, which says that there is no need for a teacher, because all knowledge is obtained through reflection. If this is the case, why is there a need for a religious leader or teacher at all? Also, wouldn't everyone's particular beliefs be different, and therefore almost nobody would be saved because they would not have the exact beliefs of Muhammad? What of these 27 beliefs do you find present in other religions? I found the concepts of God being perfect, God being all knowing, and God being present everywhere. Another interesting thing I found was the idea of repentance, which is present in 26. I am wondering if in other religions, if you repent, you're automatically forgiven, since you acknowledged your sins. In Islam, it is apparent that God decides everything- whether or not you have or have not done enough good to get into heaven, whether or not your forgiven, what is good or bad. Share any thoughts you have on these beliefs.

The Caliphate of Ali

As I was reading through "The Caliphate of Ali", a passage on the topic of revenge interested me. Ali is attempting to remove 'Uthman's leaders when he encounters a problem in Syria. The governor of Syria, Mu'awiya, is a powerful leader with high local support and a military. Mu'awiya "had a moral claim against the murderers of the caliph; as the nearest survivng relative of the dead man, he had a right, even a duty, to see vengeance for the wrong done to his clan. Historians have tended to treat this claim as a feeble pretext for his actions but this does not, perhaps do justice to Mu'awiya's position" (Pg. 76). Do you think Mu'awiya's moral claim to vengeance is ethical in the Islamic sense? Do you feel Mu'awiya has more of a right to be the caliph than Ali?

Conquests of Islam (Donner ER reading)

In the begginning of the text the author states there might be a lot of discrepencies between different sources in how the conquests, battles, etc, occured. I was just curious to what everyone thought were the motivations for the Islamic people early on in these conquests. I know it was heavily based on the drive for political, economic, and military power but it was also driven from a religious point of view as well (getting rid of the polytheists and pagans being a major factor). Starting with pg. 567 and on if you have an opinion either way to which factor you think was more influential in the spread of Islam: political/economic/military or religious/spiritual?

Seth

Legal Hadith

As I was reading this blog a couple points stood out to me that seem to be things that would have happened in the older days but I am wondering if these things are still happening today in the Islam community. A reoccurring theme in the hadiths concerning divorce was that men would divorce their wives while they were menstruating and than take her back when she is "clean". This is obviously something that cannot be controlled by the woman so does anyone have any thoughts on if this hadith is still being practiced? One of the other themes in the divorce hadiths have to do with divorces when there is a child. The way they decided who has custody of the children is to tell the child to run to which ever parent they wish, is this still the way they take care of custody issues? Also, in both of the hadiths, the child ran to the mother. I think that the mother, as is the general "stereotype" in all families, is the comforter and the care-giver so children are prone to choose their mother over their father. Does anyone disagree with that? The last hadith I thought was interessting was that "Whoever drinks wine in this world and does not turn away from it in repentance, will find it forbidden to him in the Hereafter". Are Muslims who drink alcohol looked down upon? What are some of your thoughts on the hadiths I brought up and if they are still being practiced. 

Prophetic Ethics

"Yet many Muslims firmly believe in the possibility of intercession, not just by Muhammad, but also by a variety of other saintly figures including members of Muhammad's family, prominent mystical figures or Sufi, and other individuals with who miracles are associated or who are known to be uncommonly pious."

Prior to this quote there is also a sentence about the orthodox tradition not recognizing saintly figures interceding for other human beings. This whole paragraph confuses me. What I am getting out of this is relating to prayer. I am understanding that, the orthodox tradition believes that during prayer you can not pray to saintly figures to intercede your message to God. Yet, Muslims currently believe in the intercession. I am relating the text to prayer, what do you think? Is there a message I am missing within the text?

Warfare Verse

"When the four forbidden months are over, wherever you find the polytheists, kill them, seize them, beseige them, ambush them - but if they turn to God, maintain the prayer, and pay the prescribed alms, let them go on their way, for God is most forgiving and merciful" (9:5).

In Islam, polytheism is considered the greatest sin. Therefore, Muslims have the right to kill any polytheist, unless he/she turns to God. In order to turn to God, one must submit to the will of God, there is no other god besides God..

I'm not sure what to think about this passage. My initial thought is Attrition... = when you regret your sins, but not because you love God. The polytheist does not submit to God because he/she truly believes and loves God, but rather for the fear of death. If someone holds a gun to your head because you are a polytheist, do you submit to God for the wrong reason.. i.e because you want to live, and not because you love God? I would think so... after all, proclaiming that there is no other god besides God, doesn't seem like a difficult task given the situation; even though there will be consequences later on... If the polytheist's life is spared, does God forgive him, even if He is all forgiving and merciful? Personally, I think that attrition is morally wrong and that God does not forgive the polytheist, or anyone for wrongfully submitting to Him. I think that attrition is just as big of a sin as being a polytheist.
I also think that one should not submit to God for the wrong reasons, whether it be fear or certain circumstances. Stating your beliefs and proclaiming your love for God is a dangerous matter; you shouldn't have any disbelief or uncertainty. I don't think it is just to proclaim your love and belief in God if you fear the consequences presented to you on Judgement Day.

Family Laws and Virtues

This section of the Qur'an covered many different family laws.  Here are a few that I found interesting.

"Give orphans their property, do not replace their good things with bad, and do not consume their property with your own-a serious crime.  If you fear that you will not deal fairly with orphan girls, you may marry whichever women seem good to you, two three, or four.  If you fear that you cannot be equitable to them, then marry only one, or your slave, that is more likely to make you avoid bias.  Give women their dowry as a gift upon marriage, though if they are happy to give up some of it for you, you may enjoy it with clear conscience."

I am wondering if by this passage, the Qur'an is telling Muslims to marry orphans before they marry someone with a family.  Or was the Qur'an simply talking of orphans before moving onto the dealing of marriage.  I read this passage over and over again and cannot figure out as to why the Muslim men are supposed to marry orphans first.  

Then, my next question is, it says that a man is allowed to marry more than one wife as long as he is equitable to all.  Later in the passage, it says that it is impossible for a man to be equitable to all wives.  So why would they be allowed to marry more than one woman in the first place.  Just out of curiosity, I am wondering what percentage of men actually do marry more than one woman.  In the United States, it is illegal to have more than one wife at a time.  Does this have any effect on a Muslim's belief about marriage and do they object to America's law?

Other interesting points I found, was that it says divorce can happen twice, a widow must wait four months and ten nights before marrying etc.  Do these numbers have any significance toward something Muhammad did with his wives in the past or are these numbers just an amount that the Muslims think is fair?