A Detailed Study of Muslim Religious Tradition

Course Code: BRS07

A Detailed Study of Muslim Religious Tradition

BD III, Semester 1, 4 Credit Hours, College Paper

Course Objectives:

1. To critically study the development of Islam over different periods of time and their contexts up to 1800 A.D. with special reference to India.
2. To cultivate an informed understanding of Islam, particularly discerning the liberating resources in Islam over against oppressive forces in religion, culture, and society.

Note:

Students are expected to choose any one of the courses listed in RC 304.

Methodology:

• Historical, Sociological, Theological, and Religio-Phenomenological Approaches would be used as applicable.
• The different sections of the course would include reflections from the perspectives of women, Dalits, tribals, and the poor. Responses would also be made from Christian insights and concerns for interfaith relations.
• Students would be expected to visit mosques, idgahs, etc. of different Muslim traditions and observe the performance of namaz, and other rituals (if possible), as well as a celebration of festivals. Audio-visual aids could also be used particularly where practical exposure is difficult.
• Visit homes of Muslims and seek their views on their beliefs and practices. A lecture or lectures by knowledgeable practicing Muslims could also be arranged.
• Reflective, critical reports of all such exposures would have to be written by the students.
• Students would also be expected to study prescribed texts.
• Certain sections of the syllabus may be assigned to students for self-study and presentation.

Course Requirements:

• Final Examination: 60%
• Internal Assessment: 40%

Course Outline:

SECTION I

I. Introduction: Insights from the Historical Origin and Growth of Islam

• Islam in relation to Arabian Religious Traditions, Judaism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism.
• Islam in relation to the economic situation of the times of Mohammad and the first four caliphs.
• Islam as a uniting force among Arabs and in subsequent history.
• The relationship between religion and the state in Islam.
• The history of divisions in the Muslim Community particularly Sunnis and Shias.

II. The Development of Muslim Religious Thought in the Medieval Period

• The Quran and Muhammad.
• Early Theological Questions.
• The issue of Predeterminism and Free Will.
• The Mutazilites and their Opponents.
• Al-Ashari and Al-Maturidi. The Zahirite Position.
• Hellenistic Philosophy (talsafa).
• Falasafa and Kalam.
• Ibn Tayaiyya and the Restatement of Hanbalism.

III. The Foundations of Islam

• The Quran: Etymology and Meaning, Structure; Quran as a Religious Text; History of Quran Literary Usage (Recitation, Writing and Printing, Translations, Levels of Meaning/Inward aspects of the Quran, Tafsir, Ta’wil); Relationship with other Literature (The Torah and the Bible, Influence of Christian Apocrypha, Zoroastrian religion, etc., Arab Writing).
• The Sunna and Hadith (The meaning and relationship of the two terms; Historical overview of the growth of siras, sunna and hadith; the science of hadith or essential features of hadith, collection and classification, standard of criticism) Sunni and Shia views on Hadith; some specimens of hadith).
• Ijma (traditional account of the emergence of Ijma as a foundation; Muslim views on the importance of Ijma; some examples of Ijma; different definitions of Ijma and related problems).
• Qiyas (traditional account of the emergence of Qiyas as a foundation; examples of qiyas; Shia view of qiyas).

IV. Six Articles of Faith in Islam: A Detailed Study

• God.
• Angels.
• Scriptures.
• Prophets.
• Resurrection and the Last Judgment.
• Divine Decree.

V. Shariat and Madhhab

• Meaning of the two terms.
• The Development of Islamic law in the Early Period (The Muslim Classical Theory of Law; The Historico-Critical Perspective).
• The Four Important Law Schools (The Hanifites, Malikites, Shafiites, and Hanbalites).
• Shia Law Schools.

VI. Religious Practices

• Five Pillars of Islam:
  • Shahadat: Profession of Faith (Islamic Monotheism; the Position of Muhammad).
  • Salat/Namaz: Ritual Prayer (Timings; Pre-Conditions of Namaz; The Call to Prayer; The preparation for Ritual Prayer; Performing Ritual Prayer – Niyat, Takbiri-I Tahrima, Rakat, Qiyam, Qiras, Ruku, Tasmi, Sijda, Jalsa, Sijda, Final Prayer).
  • Zakat: Almsgiving (Difference between Sadaqat and Zakat; Obligation of Zakat; The Matter and the Amount; Beneficiaries of Zakat).
  • Roza/Sawm: Fasting (The Obligation of Fasting; Manner of Fasting; the Fast of Ramazan; Ramazan Retreat; Recitation of the Quran; Lailat ul-Qadr; Charity during Ramazan; Id ul-Fitr – breaking of the fast; the results of fasting).
  • Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca (Preparations for the Pilgrimage; the Sanctuary of Mecca; the Performance of Hajj).
• Muslim Festivals and Ceremonies:
  • The Annual Festivals (The Muslim Calendar; Muharram; Id Milad-un-Nabi; Lailatul-Miraj; Shab-i Barat; Idul-Fitr; Idul-Adha; Anniversaries of the Saints).
  • Religious and Semi-Religious Ceremonies (Birth of a baby; Aqiqah – shaving of the head; Naming of the Child; Circumcision; Bismillah ceremony; basic instruction in the Holy Law and in manners and etiquette; the fast-breaking ceremony; Marriage customs and ceremonies; Death and Burial).

VII. Sufism

• Brief History.
• Its Nature and Characteristics.
• The Mystic Path (Early Stages of the Journey; The States of the Mystic; The Seven-fold Path; Dhikr).
• Further Characteristics of Sufis (The Class of Saints; Karamat; Sama; Devotion to the Pir; Ziyarat).

VIII. Islam in India

• Factors responsible for the advent of Islam in India.
• Islam in India from the 11th to 15th centuries.
• Islam under the Mughal Rulers.
• Islam under Tipu Sultan.
• Major Sufi Orders in India.

SECTION II

I. Some Important Issues in Islam

• Patriarchy, Polygamy, Personal Law, and Women.
• Jihad and Peace.
• Fundamentalism and Communalism.
• Human Rights, Dalits, and Tribals.
• Globalization and Economic Justice.
• Creation/Nature and Ecological concerns.

II. Conclusion

• Discerning important features in Islam and its Impact on Indian Society.
• Christian Reflections on Islam.

Prescribed Texts

Pickethall M. Marmaduke, The Meaning of the Glorious Quran or The Holy Quran: English Translation of the Meanings and Commentary, Revised and Edited by The Presidency of Islamic Researches, Saudi Arabia, Surah 1:1-6; 3:43- 64, 110-121; 4:1-36, 117-135 and 112.

Bibliography

Required Subject Reading:

• Engineer, Asghar Ali. A Modern Approach to Islam. Bangalore: Dharmaram Publications, 2003.
• Jackson, Paul, ed. The Muslims of India: Beliefs and Practices. Bangalore: Theological Publications in India, 1988.
• Jones, L. Bevan. The People of the Mosque: An Introduction to the Study of Islam with Special Reference to India. Revised by Dwight Baker. Delhi: ISPCK, n.d.
• Nasr, Seyyed Hossein. Islam: Religion, History, Civilization. San Francisco: Harper, 2003.
• Titus, Murray T. Indian Islam: A Religious History of Islam in India. 1st ed. New Delhi: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation, 1979.

Required Perspectival Reading:

• Ariarajah, Wesley S. The Bible and People of Other Faiths. Geneva: WCC, 1985.
• Balasuriya, T.L. Emerging Trends in Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. Colombo: CRS, 1987.
• Kumari, Prasanna, ed. Feminist Theology: Perspectives and Praxis. Chennai: Gurukul, 1999.
• Kürian, C.T. Economic Reforms and the People. Delhi: 1996.
• Prabhakar, M.D., ed. Towards a Dalit Theology. Delhi: ISPCK, 1988.
• Thomas, M.M. Religion and Revolt of the Oppressed. Delhi: ISPCK, 1998.
• Weilenga, Bas. Towards an Eco-Just Society. Bangalore: CSA, 1999.

Supplementary Reading:

• Ahmed, Akbar S. Postmodernism and Islam: Predicament and Promise. London: Routledge, 1992.
• Ahmad, Fazl and Abu Bakr. The First Caliph of Islam. New Delhi: Taj Company, 1983.
• Ahmad, Fazl and Umar. The Second Caliph of Islam. New Delhi: Taj Company, 1983.
• Ahmad, Fazl and Uthman. The Third Caliph of Islam. New Delhi: Taj Company, 1983.
• Ahmad, Imtiaz, ed. Ritual and Religion among Muslims in India. New Delhi: Manohar Publications, 1984.
• Ali, Maulana Muhammad. The Religion of Islam. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1994.
• Ashrafi, Talat Ara. Muslim Women in Changing Perspective. New Delhi: Commonwealth Publications, 1992.
• Baveja, Malik Ram. Women in Islam. Delhi: Renaissance Publications, 1988.
• Engineer, Asghar Ali. Islam and Liberation Theology. Delhi: 1990.
• Fazlur, Rahman. Major Themes of the Quran. Minneapolis: Bibliotheca Islamica, 1994.
• Fuchs, Stephen. Rebellious Prophets: A Study of Messianic Movements in Indian Religions. New Delhi: Asia Publishing House, 1965.
• Gibb, H.A.R. Islam: A Historical Survey. Hyderabad: Henry Martyn Institute of Islamic Studies, 1979.
• Hameed, Hakim Abdul. Islam at a Glance. New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House, 1981.
• Hasan, Mushirul. Legacy of a Divided Nation: India’s Muslims Since Independence. Delhi: OUP, 1997.
• Hughes, Thomas Patrick. Dictionary of Islam. Reprint. New Delhi: Oriental Books Corporation, 1976.
• Khan, Qamaruddin. Status of Women in Islam. Delhi: Sterling Publishers, 1990.
• Lawrence, C. Jesus as Prophet in Christianity and Islam — A Model for Inter-Faith Dialogue. Delhi: 1997.
• Mawdudi, Abul Ala. Towards Understanding Islam. Translated and Edited by Khurshid Ahmed. Riyadh: World Assembly of Muslim Youth, 1979.
• Miller, Roland E. Muslim Friends. Hyderabad: Orient Longman, 1995.
• Mohammad, Tahir. Human Rights in Islamic Law. Delhi: Inst. Of Objective Studies, 1993.
• Rizvi, Saiyad Athar Abbas. A History of Sufism in India. Vol. I. New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal, 1975.
• Robinson, M. Islam and Capitalism. London: Penguin, 1974.
• Singh, David Emmanuel & Robert Edwin Schick, eds. Approaches, Foundations, Issues and Models of Inter-faith Relations. Delhi: ISPCK/HMI, 2001.

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