Answering questions.
Questions
Objectives: To demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities, and to articulate an informed personal response and critically analyze works in the arts and humanities.
Assignment: Read the readings and watch the films posted in Module 8. Students will write the Discussion Board 4 to demonstrate what they have learned about Islamic philosophy and literatures. The discussion must answer the following questions:
1) What observations and remarks can you make about Islamic literatures and philosophy? Demonstrate and show your observations and remarks by writing a one paragraph response of 7-10 sentences.
2) Explain the philosophy of any one Islamic thinker/philosopher. (One paragraph of 7-10 sentences; write specifically and include the thinker/philosopher’s name, years of life, location, contributions, etc.).
3) Analyze a poem of your choice from the assigned poems. (One paragraph of 7-10 sentences).
4) List and explain one quote from the Quran. (One paragraph of 7-10 sentences; include the Quranic quote with chapter and verse numbers in your answer).
5) What lessons can we learn from the stories of the Arabian Nights? (One paragraph of 7-10 sentences).
6) Research, compare, and write about the Rihla (travel writings) of Ibn Jubayr to the Rihla of Ibn Battuta, Marco Polo or Zheng He (compare Ibn Jubayr’s travel writings to ANY ONE of the other three listed travelers). You may also compare Ibn Jubayr to another explorer (Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus, Amerigo Vespucci, etc.), if you wish.
ADDITIONALLY, students MUST respond to any two of their classmates’ Discussion Board posts in a meaningful and substantial manner.
Resources (Module 8)
There are 5 foundational requirements for Muslims. These requirements are meant to structure the Muslim way of life (or, in the larger context of the Humanities, HOW Muslims are supposed to live here on earth). Quran, the holy book of Islam, and which means recitation, admonishes the believers to follow these pillars of faith.
The Five Pillars are:
1. Shahada – Profession of faith.
[Quran 21:25] We did not send any messenger before you (O Muhammad) except with the inspiration, “There is no god except Me; you shall worship Me ALONE.”
[Quran 3:18] God bears witness that there is no god except He, and so do the angels and those who possess knowledge. Truthfully and equitably, He is the absolute god; there is no god but He, the Almighty, Most wise.
2. Salat – Prayer
[Quran 35:29-30] Surely, those who recite the book of God, observe the Contact Prayers and are charitable both discreetly and openly can hope for an investment that never loses. He will recompense them generously and will multiply His blessings upon them. He is Forgiving, Appreciative.
[Quran 4:43] O you who believe, do not observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) while intoxicated, till you (so that you ) know what you are saying.
[Quran 29:45] You shall recite what is revealed to you of the Scripture, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), for the Salat prohibits evil and vice. But the remembrance of God is the most important objective. God is aware of all that you do.
3. Zakat – Charity or Almsgiving
[Quran 2:43] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and bow down with those who bow down.
[Quran 73:20] Your Lord knows that you meditate during two-thirds of the night, or half of it, or one-third of it, and so do some of those who believed with you. GOD has designed the night and the day, and He knows that you cannot always do this. He has pardoned you. Instead, you shall read what you can of the Quran. He knows that some of you may be ill, others may be traveling in pursuit of GOD’s provisions, and others may be striving in the cause of GOD. You shall read what you can of it, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), give the obligatory Charity (Zakat), and lend GOD a loan of righteousness. Whatever good you send ahead on behalf of your souls, you will find it at GOD far better and generously rewarded. And implore GOD for forgiveness. Allah is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
4. Sawm – Fasting
[Quran 02:183] O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn self-restraint.
[Quran 02:185] Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Quran.
5. Hajj – Pilgrimage to Mecca
[Quran 22:27] “And proclaim that the people shall observe Hajj pilgrimage. They will come to you walking or riding on various exhausted (means of transportation). They will come from the farthest locations.”
[Quran 2:197] Hajj shall be observed in the specified months. Whoever sets out to observe Hajj shall refrain from sexual intercourse, misconduct, and arguments throughout Hajj. Whatever good you do, God is fully aware thereof. As you prepare your provisions for the journey, the best provision is righteousness. You shall observe Me, O you who possess intelligence.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/beliefs/beliefs.shtml
https://www.islamawareness.net/Jinn/jinn.html
https://www.aramcoworld.com/Articles/November-2018/The-Magnificent-Migration
“O children of Adam, We have provided you with garments to cover your bodies, as well as for luxury. But the best garment is the garment of righteousness. These are some of God’s signs, that they may take heed.” [Qur’an 7:26]
“Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.” [Qur’an 24:30]
“O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed…” (Qur’an 33:59)
“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands…” (Qur’an 24:30-31)
Hadith of Prophet Mohammad SAW.
“Ayesha (R) reported that Asmaa the daughter of Abu Bakr (R) came to the Messenger of Allah (S) while wearing thin clothing. He approached her and said: ‘O Asmaa! When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is not proper that anything should remain exposed except this and this. He pointed to the face and hands.” (Abu Dawood)
