Muhammad at the Museum: Or, Why the Prophet Is Not Present
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Inquiry Into the Status of the Human Right to Freedom of Religion Or Belief
Inquiry into the status of the Human Right to Freedom of Religion or Belief Submission: Inquiry into the status of the human right to freedom of religion or belief This purpose of this submission is to raise the committee’s awareness that Islam: - militates against “the enjoyment of freedom of religion or belief” - incites to “violations or abuses” of religious freedom - is antithetical and inimical to the “protection and promotion of freedom of religion or belief” Any inquiry into “the human right to freedom of religion or belief” which avoids examining arguably the largest global threat to those freedoms would be abdicating its responsibility to fully inform its stakeholders. Whether it is the nine Islamic countries in the top ten of the World Watch List of Christian Persecution(1), crucifix-wearing “Christians in Sydney fac(ing) growing persecution at the hands of Muslim gangs”(2) or the summary execution of those who blaspheme or apostatise(3), Islam, in practice and in doctrine, militates against “the human right to freedom of religion or belief”. The purpose of this submission is not to illustrate “the nature and extent of (Islamic) violations and abuses of this right” [which are well-documented elsewhere(4)] but to draw the committee’s attention to the Islamic doctrinal “causes of those violations or abuses”. An informed understanding of Islam is crucial to effectively addressing potential future conflicts between Islamic teachings which impact negatively on “freedom of religion or belief” and those Western freedoms we had almost come to take for granted, until Islam came along to remind us that they must be ever fought for. -
An Imam Explains Why Muslims Hate Seeing Depictions of the Prophet
NEWS Search canada.com... An imam explains why Muslims hate seeing depictions of the contract in Ontario Bombardier Prophet Muhammad Transportation announced Tuesday that Ontario’s regional Sikander Hashmi of the Kanata Muslim transit agency, Association discusses the Charlie Hebdo Metrolinx, ha... massacre, freedom of speech, and how to fight extremist rhetoric Financial adviser suspended for Sections appropriating clients' money A former financial News adviser with a gambling habit has Entertainme had his permit nt suspended for 10 Life years by the... Business Change in mutual-fund taxation is in the Financial Post Biz Technology Sports Travel Sikander Hashmi, the imam at the Kanata Muslim Association, paying Driving his respects at the site of the Parliament Hill shooting in Ottawa in October. Househunti PHOTO: JULIE OLIVER / OTTAWA CITIZEN ng Obituaries Like 701 Tweet 11 Jobs 89 Ishmael N. Daro Published: January 9, 2015, 4:53 pm Updated: 2 years ago Latest News Video A A A This week’s horrific attack on the offices of the newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris has sparked an important discussion Trump Finally Endorses about the power of satire, the right to publish offensive or even House Speaker Paul Ryan 1:33 “blasphemous” materials in a free society, and where freedom of speech and respect for religion overlap and sometimes clash. This Week's Flyers At the heart of the debate is the Islamic prohibition on depictions of the Prophet Muhammad. While there is no specific verse in the Qu’ran that outlaws representations of the prophet, the Muslim holy book discourages idolatry; several hadith — a record of the sayings and actions of Muhammad — HOVER FOR FLYER HOVER FOR FLYER prohibit Muslims from creating images of human figures. -
The Language Ofgod
the language of god understanding the quran daniel C peterson the faith ofislam one ofthe three great abrahamic religions as they might be called is closely akin to the other two judaism and christianity it is tightly bound to and thoroughly permeated by its holy book the aurqur an strangely though despite the historical and contemporary impor- tance ofislam and despite islam s kinship with the faith that has dominated western civilization neither islam in general nor the quran in particular is well known in the west nor do westerners typically know very much about the founder of islam the prophet muhammad 1 yet the story of muhammad is a dramatic one and islam fascinating in its own right is both sufficiently different from christianity and sufficiently similar to allow its study to throw intriguing light upon the faith even of non muslims who devote themselves to the sub- ject much in the way that the study of a second language may enable stu- dents to better understand their own reflection upon islam I1 am con- vinced can profit jews and chris- tians as well as muslims in this essay I1 shall concentrate upon what the quran has to say and what its own nature discloses about islam s view ofthe role and character of language I1 do not restrict this dis- cussion to human language because significantly the aurqur an itself does not seem to distinguish in any rigid way between the language of god 0 the language of angels and the lan- 1 guage of mortal human beings the revelation of the aurqur an began in or near AD 610glogio and contin- ued -
Muhammad Speaking of the Messiah: Jesus in the Hadīth Tradition
MUHAMMAD SPEAKING OF THE MESSIAH: JESUS IN THE HADĪTH TRADITION A Dissertation Submitted to the Temple University Graduate Board In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY by Fatih Harpci (May 2013) Examining Committee Members: Prof. Khalid Y. Blankinship, Advisory Chair, Department of Religion Prof. Vasiliki Limberis, Department of Religion Prof. Terry Rey, Department of Religion Prof. Zameer Hasan, External Member, TU Department of Physics © Copyright 2013 by Fatih Harpci All Rights Reserved ii ABSTRACT Much has been written about Qur’ānic references to Jesus (‘Īsā in Arabic), yet no work has been done on the structure or formal analysis of the numerous references to ‘Īsā in the Hadīth, that is, the collection of writings that report the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad. In effect, non-Muslims and Muslim scholars neglect the full range of Prophet Muhammad’s statements about Jesus that are in the Hadīth. The dissertation’s main thesis is that an examination of the Hadīths’ reports of Muhammad’s words about and attitudes toward ‘Īsā will lead to fuller understandings about Jesus-‘Īsā among Muslims and propose to non-Muslims new insights into Christian tradition about Jesus. In the latter process, non-Muslims will be encouraged to re-examine past hostile views concerning Muhammad and his words about Jesus. A minor thesis is that Western readers in particular, whether or not they are Christians, will be aided to understand Islamic beliefs about ‘Īsā, prophethood, and eschatology more fully. In the course of the dissertation, Hadīth studies will be enhanced by a full presentation of Muhammad’s words about and attitudes toward Jesus-‘Īsā. -
The Internet and the Radicalization of Muslim Women
The Internet and the Radicalization of Muslim Women Sergio E. Sanchez California State University, Chico Department of Political Science Chico, CA 95929 [email protected] “to kill one and frighten 10,000 others” - Chinese Proverb Paper prepared for Presentation at the annual meeting of the Western Political Science Association, Seattle, WA, April 2014. Abstract The Internet, with its built in anonymity and continuous availability – 24 hours a day, seven days a week- is for some the perfect venue for chatting, meeting new people, learning about topics of interest, and a source for countless hours of entertainment. Moreover, the Internet allows individuals from all over the country, or the world, who are from different socioeconomic backgrounds but who share similar interests and ideologies to interact and communicate privately. However, the Internet is also a readymade platform for the spread of hate, terror, and other radical ideas and messages, all of which can be transmitted at the speed of light, anonymously, and available on demand. The Internet is, therefore, an ideal venue for women to interact with likeminded individuals or organizations without having to sacrifice or tarnish their standing in the community or among their families. Women from repressive countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Palestine can participate in jihad without leaving their homes and without having to meet strange men face-to-face and, consequently, bring shame to their families or themselves – as per traditional Islamic practices. Likewise, women involved or interested in radical environmentalism can meet online, share ideas, and continue their struggle against governments and corporations. Similarly, women involved, or fascinated with, right-wing religious movements or hate groups such as the KKK or neo-Nazis can likewise meet in a private setting, virtually, with little concern that their reputations or image within the community will be tarnished by their surreptitious activities online. -
Qisas Contribution to the Theory of Ghaybah in Twelver Shı
− QisasAA Contribution to the Theory of Ghaybah in Twelver Shı‘ism QisasAA Contribution to the Theory of Ghaybah in Twelver Shı‘ism− Kyoko YOSHIDA* In this paper, I analyze the role of qisasAA (narrative stories) materials, which are often incorporated into the Twelver Shı‘ite− theological discussions, by focusing mainly on the stories of the al-KhidrA (or al- Khadir)A legend in the tenth and the eleventh century ghaybah discussions. The goal is to demonstrate the essential function that the narrative elements have performed in argumentations of the Twelver Shı‘ite− theory of Imam. The importance of qisasAA materials in promulgating the doctrine of Imamah− in the Twelver Shı‘ism− tended to be underestimated in the previous studies because of the mythical and legendary representations of qisasAA materials. My analysis makes clear that qisasAA materials do not only illustrate events in the sacred history, but also open possibilities for the miraculous affairs to happen in the actual world. In this sense, qisasAA materials have been utilized as a useful element for the doctrinal argumentations in the Twelver Shı‘ism.− − Keywords: stories, al-Khidr,A occultation, Ibn Babawayh, longevity Introduction In this paper, I analyze how qisasAA traditions have been utilized in the promulgation of Twelver Shı‘ite− doctrine. The term qisasAA (sing. qissah AA ) means narrative stories addressed in the Qur’an− principally. However, it also includes the orated and elaborated tales and legends based on storytelling that flourished in the early Umayyad era (Norris 1983, 247). Their contents vary: archaic traditions spread in the pre-Islamic Arab world, patriarchal stories from Biblical and Jewish sources, and Islamized sayings and maxims of the sages and the ascetics of the day.1 In spite of a variety of the different sources and origins, Muslim faith has accepted these stories as long as they could support and advocate the Qur’anic− *Specially Appointed Researcher of Global COE Program “Development and Systematization of Death and Life Studies,” University of Tokyo Vol. -
Temple Imagery in Philo: an Indication of the Origin of the Logos?
Margaret Barker Temple Imagery In Philo: An Indication Of The Origin Of The Logos? Originally published in W. Horbury, ed, Templum Amicitiae: Essays on the Second Temple Presented to Ernst Bammel (JSOT Press: Sheffield, 1991), pp. 70-102. Philo’s Logos is a perennial problem. As we know, Philo was presenting his Judaism in Greek terms; much has been written on the Greek elements in his work and the philosophies to which he related his Judaism. But has that Judaism been correctly described? Where in it did Philo find any basis for his Logos? It is hard to accept Wolfson’s view of the Logos: It is a matter of indifference to us whether in Judaism before the time of Philo the personification of the term Logos meant that the Word of God was already considered as a real being created by God or whether its personification was merely a figure of speech.1 He clearly describes a separate heavenly being, and this sets a problem for orthodox monotheism. Thus A.F. Segal says of Philo’s doctrine: In doing this he has an entirely different emphasis than the rabbis. He is clearly following the Greek philosophers. Like them he is reluctant to conceive of a pure eternal God who participates directly in the affairs of the corruptible world. So he employs a system of mediation by which God is able to reach into the transient world, act in it, fill it as well as transcend material existence without implying a change in his essence.2 But was he following the philosophers? Was he not rather relating his own faith to their ideas and describing it in their 71 terms? Why, for example, if his Logos resembles Aristotle’s nous is it not Aristotle’s nous? Time and again there seem to be restraints on what he can say. -
ANGELS in ISLAM a Commentary with Selected Translations of Jalāl
ANGELS IN ISLAM A Commentary with Selected Translations of Jalāl al-Dīn al-Suyūṭī’s Al-Ḥabā’ik fī akhbār al- malā’ik (The Arrangement of the Traditions about Angels) S. R. Burge Doctor of Philosophy The University of Edinburgh 2009 A loose-leaf from a MS of al-Qazwīnī’s, cAjā’ib fī makhlūqāt (British Library) Source: Du Ry, Carel J., Art of Islam (New York: Abrams, 1971), p. 188 0.1 Abstract This thesis presents a commentary with selected translations of Jalāl al-Dīn cAbd al- Raḥmān al-Suyūṭī’s Al-Ḥabā’ik fī akhbār al-malā’ik (The Arrangement of the Traditions about Angels). The work is a collection of around 750 ḥadīth about angels, followed by a postscript (khātima) that discusses theological questions regarding their status in Islam. The first section of this thesis looks at the state of the study of angels in Islam, which has tended to focus on specific issues or narratives. However, there has been little study of the angels in Islamic tradition outside studies of angels in the Qur’an and eschatological literature. This thesis hopes to present some of this more general material about angels. The following two sections of the thesis present an analysis of the whole work. The first of these two sections looks at the origin of Muslim beliefs about angels, focusing on angelic nomenclature and angelic iconography. The second attempts to understand the message of al-Suyūṭī’s collection and the work’s purpose, through a consideration of the roles of angels in everyday life and ritual. -
Final Mercy.Indd
Forty Hadith on Divine Mercy 1 CONTENTS PART ONE: MERCY, WHICH OUTSTRIPS I. Mercy ............................................ 9 II. The Heart and Intention .................15 III. Piety and Righteousness ...................22 IV. Forgiveness .........................................27 PART TWO: WRATH, WHICH IS OUTSTRIPPED V. Harm and Wrongdoing ...................31 VI. Bigotry and Takfir .................................36 VII. War ....................................................41 VIII. Corruption and Sedition .................45 2 3 INTRODUCTION Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds, and Peace and Blessings be upon His Messenger, the Prophet Muhammad, and upon his Family and Companions. The hadith, sometimes called traditions, are texts which relate the sayings and doings of the Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace. In his famous book of forty hadith, Imam Nawawi (d. 676 A.H./1277 C.E.) relates that the Messenger of God said, “Whosoever commits to memory for my ummah (religious community) forty traditions concerning religion will be resurrected by God in the company of the jurists and the learned.” In other versions, it is said that the Prophet will be “an intercessor and witness” for such a person, or that they will be allowed 4 5 to enter Paradise from any gate they wish, composed books of forty traditions on or that “they shall be recorded amongst the a wide range of themes, such as jihad ranks of the jurists and resurrected in the (struggle), comportment (adab), or the company of the martyrs”. sacred sayings (hadith qudsi, or words of Now, the scholars of hadith are in the Prophet which quote God speaking, agreement that this tradition is weak, yet but are not part of the Quran and are not many of them have composed books of wahy or revelation). -
Course Syllabus EMT 3101/6101HF Biography and Thought: the Life of Muhammad Emmanuel College Toronto School of Theology Fall 2017
Course Syllabus EMT 3101/6101HF Biography and Thought: The Life of Muhammad Emmanuel College Toronto School of Theology Fall 2017 Instructor Information Instructor: Nevin Reda Office Location: EM 215 Telephone: Office – (416) 978-000 E-mail: [email protected] Office Hours: Wednesdays, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm or by appointment Course Identification Course Number: EMT3101/6101HF Course Format: In-class Course Name: Biography and Thought: The Life of Muhammad Course Location: EM 302 Class Times: Tuesdays 14:00 pm – 16:00 pm Prerequisites: None Course Description This seminar studies the life of the Prophet Muhammad as it is presented in the earliest biographical and historical Muslim accounts. It introduces the sira and hadith literatures, in addition to classical and modern critical methods used to determine their authenticity and historical reliability. Topics include the first revelations, emigration from Mecca, the Constitution of Medina, and succession to Muhammad’s leadership. Students will learn about Muslim concepts of prophethood, the significance of the prophet in the legal-ethical and mystical traditions, and women in hadith scholarship. They will study the life of Muhammad and relate it to his spiritual as well as temporal experience to explore modern-day concerns. Class participation: 15%, Minor Research Paper: 35 %, Major research paper: 50 %. Course Resources Required Course Texts/Bibliography ‘Abd al-Malik ibn Hisham, The life of Muhammad: a translation of Ishāq's Sīrat rasūl Allāh, with introduction and notes by A. Guillaume (London: Oxford University Press, 1955). Jonathan Brown, Hadith: Muhammad's Legacy in the Medieval and Modern World (Richmond: Oneworld, 2009). -
Andrea Reed's Thesis
MUHAMMAD AS REPRESENTATIVE FORM: A VISUAL RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF THE DANISH CARTOON CONTROVERSY By ANDREA REED A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS in the Department of Communication May 2009 Winston-Salem, North Carolina Approved By: Alessandra Beasley Von Burg, Ph.D., Advisor _________________________________ Examinating Committee: Margaret D. Zulick, Ph.D. ___________________________________ Peter Furia, Ph.D. ___________________________________ ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. Alessandra Beasley Von Burg for her indispensible guidance with this project. This thesis would not have been possible without her expertise in the area of rhetoric and on topics related to European affairs, not to mention her patience. I sincerely thank Dr. Margaret Zulick and Dr. Peter Furia for graciously agreeing to sit on my panel and reflect upon my thesis. I also must thank Dr. Allan Louden and Dr. Ananda Mitra who both served as Director of the graduate program during my time at Wake Forest. I would also like to thank my other professors who have been great teachers and inspirational thinkers, Dr. Michael Hyde, Dr. Steve Giles, and Dr. Peter Brunette and the rest of the Department of Communication. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF FIGURES ……………..…………………………………………………... iv ABSTRACT …………………………………………………………………………. v INTRODUCTION ………………………………………………………………….... 1 CHAPTER 1 ………………………………………………………………………..... 4 Review of the Literature ……………………………………………………... 5 Visual Rhetoric as Ideographs: the Representative Form ………………….. 15 Rhetoric and Social Controversy ………………………………………….... 19 Methodology ………………………………………………………………... 23 CHAPTER 2 ………………………………………………………………………... 27 The Muhammad Cartoons as Visual Ideographs ………………………….... 29 The Re-Appropriation of the Prophet Muhammad………………………….. 42 CHAPTER 3 ……………………………………………………………………….. -
When Caricature Meets Resistance
Chapter 9 When Caricature Meets Resistance Eva Beate Strømsted Self-censorship? Yes. There wasn’t much of it before, but today it [the satire] is drenched in self-censorship. I feel it affects almost everything I draw now. Earlier I just made a drawing with my opinion, and it got published. But now I think: ‘Okay, if I make it this way, it will not get published.’ Eventually I make a drawing that will be accepted (Cartoonist 3). According to Freedberg (1991), humans have always worshiped and feared images, giving pictures powerful and magical influence, ruining and censoring them. With regards to the art of cartoons, its aesthetics have been seen as a strong political weapon. It is especially within the last decade’s dramatic developments that the thoughts of the Norwegian cartoonist in the above quote must be located. In Paris 7 January 2015, two Islamists, Saïd and Chérif Kouachi, connected to Al-Qaida’s branch in Yemen, forced their way into the office of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Armed with assault rifles and other weapons, they killed 12 people and injured 11 others, all because of Charlie Hebdo’s drawings of Muhammad (Samuelsen 2015). However, the magazine has always published cartoons insulting whomever, often in a completely disrespectful manner, and the assassinations at Charlie Hebdo must be seen as an extension of the cartoon controversy that started ten years earlier. In 2005, Flemming Rose, the culture editor of the Danish newspaper, Jyllands- Posten, wanted to contribute to the debate about criticism of Islam and self-censorship among European artists.