The Sacred Journey:
Religions of the World

Core Discovery Course 166

Study Guide for the Third Exam

(tentative)

Specific Class Study Questions for the Third and Final Exam, based upon readings including "Islam," from Smith's Illustrated World's Religions. pp. 145-177, The Qur'an and the Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, along with the in-class lectures, videos, and presentations by guest speakers.  NOTE: For the Final Exam, questions may include materials from the previous sections of the course, hence a comprehensive semester exam.

• What is meant by the question, "when can enslavement result in freedom?"
• What is the meaning of the term, "Islam"?
• Outline the life events of Muhammad.
• Consider the particular image of Ibrahim (Abraham) as interpreted by Muhammad, and the implications of that image for Islamic/Jewish/Christian relations.
• How is the rise of Islam a revitalization movement, not unlike the rise of Christianity?
• What is the nature of the Koran, its style of text, its content, and its very nature, and how is it similar to and different from the Torah and Bible?  Who are the People of the Book?
• KEY: Compare the basic theological similarities and differences between Islam, Judaism and Christianity.  Focus on Goal, Landscape, and Means, as outlined in class.  Consider the nature of God, the Creation, the human self and soul, role of prophets, jinn, angels, day of judgment, and the nature of heaven and hell.  Among the key terms to consider are: Jannah, Fitra, Iblis, Jihad, Imans, Khalifah and Al-tawhid, and Hanif
• What are the Five Pillars of Islam?  Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, Saum and Hajj.  Discuss the meaning and significance of each.
• What are the meanings of a "Jihad"?
• Why is there a general prohibition against creating sacred art and depicting images of the sacred in Islam?
• Discuss the symbolism and architectural meaning of the Mosque. 
• What are the ritual processes associated with the Hajj and how is it like a rite of passage?
• What are the Social Teachings of Islam?  Specifically, how are women, and ethnic and racial diversity understood in Islam?
• What is Sufism?  And what is meant by the Sufi statement, "There is nothing but God"?
• What did Rumi mean when he stated, "I am neither Muslim nor Christian, Jew nor Zoroastrian; I am neither of the earth nor of the heavens, I am neither body nor soul"?
• What are some of the general characteristics of ancient Persian music?   Who is Mohammad Reza Shajarian?  What role does Sufi poetry play in this music?
• From a Muslim perspective, how would you respond to the question, "why do bad things sometimes happen to good people?"

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