Islam: Difference between revisions

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As a result, the Christianity which developed in 7th-century Arabia was often indistinguishable from other religious traditions such as Judaism, Manichaeism, and Gnosticism in its emphasis on ritual and [[Legalism (theology)|legalistic]] practices. These faiths were seen as emphasizing outward adherence to laws, like the [[Law of Moses]], or mystical rites rather than a cohesive message of salvation through grace, as articulated in orthodox Christian theology.

"''For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.''" - ~~Galatians 2:8-9~~, a verse many so-called Christians in Arabia at that time had forsaken.

"''For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.''" - , a verse many so-called Christians in Arabia at that time had forsaken.

'''<big>Muhammed's solution</big>'''

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In the West, [[dawah]], or Islamic evangelism, has gained momentum with the growing Muslim populations through immigration and conversion. Islamic organizations and media are using platforms to educate both Muslims and non-Muslims about Islam, addressing misconceptions and promoting interfaith dialogue. Social media has become a powerful tool for dawah, helping Muslims share their faith and values, fostering a deeper understanding of Islam in predominantly secular societies.

Since the 1990s, [[Islamism|Islamic extremism]] has emerged as a global threat, with groups like [[Al-Qaeda]] and [[Islamic State of Iraq and Syria|ISIS]] promoting violent interpretations of Islam. The [[9/11 attacks]] brought extremism to the forefront, leading to the [[War on Terror]]. These groups seek to establish Islamic rule through violence, but most Muslims reject their radical views.

Since the 1990s, [[Islamism|Islamic extremism]] has emerged as a global threat, with groups like [[Al-Qaeda]] and [[Islamic State of Iraq and Syria|ISIS]] promoting violent interpretations of Islam. The [[9/11 attacks]] brought extremism to the forefront, leading to the [[War on Terror]]. These groups seek to establish Islamic rule through violence, but most Muslims reject their radical views.<ref>Black Flags: The Rise of ISIS - Joby Warrick</ref>

==Influences==

Early Islam was understood amongst it's early Arab converts by a desire for [[national exceptionalism]] for the Arabic peoples. The religion’s founders sought to establish the Arab identity as distinct and divinely favoured, much in the same way the [[Pharisees]] in Judaism emphasized the special status of the [[Israelites]]. A key part of this identity was the claim that the lineage of the Arabs, through Abraham’s son [[Ishmael]], validated their religious and cultural superiority. According to the [[Bible]], Abraham’s other son [[Isaac]] was the ancestor of the Israelites, while Ishmael became the forefather of the Arab nations, and this was used to assert a unique, divinely ordained mission for the Arab people.

The concept of Ishmael's lineage was critical to early Islamic teachings and served as a foundation for the legitimacy of the Muslim faith. This theological focus on Ishmael's connection to Abraham allowed early Muslims to position themselves as the true heirs to the Abrahamic legacy, with their faith as a continuation of God's covenant with humanity. The significance of Ishmael as the chosen son, and the Arabs as his descendants, framed the early Islamic movement as not only religious but also nationalistic, with divine favour being central to their identity and purpose.<ref>Dominion - Tom Holland</ref>

The religion of Muhammed was formed around this view, but was often shaped by the numerous legends, myths and theological concepts he had seen being taught by local religious authorities as well as travelling missionaries for foreign faiths. As Muhammed's power over Medina grew, he would often invite these people to teach him their beliefs, after which he would integrate them into the Quran. This earned him the nickname of "the Ear" as he would listen to anyone who would spin him a legend or a myth (''see Surah 9:61'').

After his death and the completion of the Quran, Islam continued to evolve, particularly as it sought to establish a unified identity and set of practices for its rapidly growing community. The early Islamic community was not only concerned with doctrinal teachings but also with how to structure the day-to-day life of its followers. This is where the development of the [[Sunnah]], the practices and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, became crucial.

Contrary to the Islamic view, the Sunnah, as a set of practices to be followed by Muslims, was not immediately evident in the early years of Islam. Instead, the Sunnah emerged gradually as a response to the need for an authoritative guide for the conduct of the Muslim community after Muhammed's death. Initially, there were various interpretations of Muhammed’s teachings, and different groups within the early Muslim community had competing understandings of what constituted the right practice of Islam. It was in this context that the Sunnah was constructed, largely through the work of scholars and [[Hadith]] compilers who sought to preserve and standardise Muhammed’s teachings.

All of this, the theological environment of Muhammed's upbringing and the absorption of local rituals and practices discovered during the Early Islamic conquests into the Sunnah, allowed for many foreign religious ideas to be brought into the Islamic concept of morality.

==References==

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 As a result, the Christianity which developed in 7th-century Arabia was often indistinguishable from other religious traditions such as Judaism, Manichaeism, and Gnosticism in its emphasis on ritual and [[Legalism (theology)|legalistic]] practices. These faiths were seen as emphasizing outward adherence to laws, like the [[Law of Moses]], or mystical rites rather than a cohesive message of salvation through grace, as articulated in orthodox Christian theology.
-"''For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.''" - Galatians 2:8-9, a verse many so-called Christians in Arabia at that time had forsaken.
+"''For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.''" - , a verse many so-called Christians in Arabia at that time had forsaken.
 '''<big>Muhammed's solution</big>'''
@@ Line 59: / Line 59: @@
 In the West, [[dawah]], or Islamic evangelism, has gained momentum with the growing Muslim populations through immigration and conversion. Islamic organizations and media are using platforms to educate both Muslims and non-Muslims about Islam, addressing misconceptions and promoting interfaith dialogue. Social media has become a powerful tool for dawah, helping Muslims share their faith and values, fostering a deeper understanding of Islam in predominantly secular societies.
-Since the 1990s, [[Islamism|Islamic extremism]] has emerged as a global threat, with groups like [[Al-Qaeda]] and [[Islamic State of Iraq and Syria|ISIS]] promoting violent interpretations of Islam. The [[9/11 attacks]] brought extremism to the forefront, leading to the [[War on Terror]]. These groups seek to establish Islamic rule through violence, but most Muslims reject their radical views.
+Since the 1990s, [[Islamism|Islamic extremism]] has emerged as a global threat, with groups like [[Al-Qaeda]] and [[Islamic State of Iraq and Syria|ISIS]] promoting violent interpretations of Islam. The [[9/11 attacks]] brought extremism to the forefront, leading to the [[War on Terror]]. These groups seek to establish Islamic rule through violence, but most Muslims reject their radical views.<ref>Black Flags: The Rise of ISIS - Joby Warrick</ref>
+==Influences==
+Early Islam was understood amongst it's early Arab converts by a desire for [[national exceptionalism]] for the Arabic peoples. The religion’s founders sought to establish the Arab identity as distinct and divinely favoured, much in the same way the [[Pharisees]] in Judaism emphasized the special status of the [[Israelites]]. A key part of this identity was the claim that the lineage of the Arabs, through Abraham’s son [[Ishmael]], validated their religious and cultural superiority. According to the [[Bible]], Abraham’s other son [[Isaac]] was the ancestor of the Israelites, while Ishmael became the forefather of the Arab nations, and this was used to assert a unique, divinely ordained mission for the Arab people.
+The concept of Ishmael's lineage was critical to early Islamic teachings and served as a foundation for the legitimacy of the Muslim faith. This theological focus on Ishmael's connection to Abraham allowed early Muslims to position themselves as the true heirs to the Abrahamic legacy, with their faith as a continuation of God's covenant with humanity. The significance of Ishmael as the chosen son, and the Arabs as his descendants, framed the early Islamic movement as not only religious but also nationalistic, with divine favour being central to their identity and purpose.<ref>Dominion - Tom Holland</ref>
+The religion of Muhammed was formed around this view, but was often shaped by the numerous legends, myths and theological concepts he had seen being taught by local religious authorities as well as travelling missionaries for foreign faiths. As Muhammed's power over Medina grew, he would often invite these people to teach him their beliefs, after which he would integrate them into the Quran. This earned him the nickname of "the Ear" as he would listen to anyone who would spin him a legend or a myth (''see Surah 9:61'').
+After his death and the completion of the Quran, Islam continued to evolve, particularly as it sought to establish a unified identity and set of practices for its rapidly growing community. The early Islamic community was not only concerned with doctrinal teachings but also with how to structure the day-to-day life of its followers. This is where the development of the [[Sunnah]], the practices and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, became crucial.
+Contrary to the Islamic view, the Sunnah, as a set of practices to be followed by Muslims, was not immediately evident in the early years of Islam. Instead, the Sunnah emerged gradually as a response to the need for an authoritative guide for the conduct of the Muslim community after Muhammed's death. Initially, there were various interpretations of Muhammed’s teachings, and different groups within the early Muslim community had competing understandings of what constituted the right practice of Islam. It was in this context that the Sunnah was constructed, largely through the work of scholars and [[Hadith]] compilers who sought to preserve and standardise Muhammed’s teachings.
+All of this, the theological environment of Muhammed's upbringing and the absorption of local rituals and practices discovered during the Early Islamic conquests into the Sunnah, allowed for many foreign religious ideas to be brought into the Islamic concept of morality.
+==References==