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24 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What are the basic historical origins of Shi'ism?
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- Muhammad did not name a successor
- Followers of Ali (Ali should be leader) - Leader should be a descendant of Muhammad (Ali was cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad) |
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Why is the idea of suffering and mourning so important in Shi'ism?
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- Commemorating Husayn's death and/or suffering -Ali's youngest son
- Shi'i idea of atonement through mourning |
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What are the distinctive rituals of Shi'ism and how do they relate to the history of its origins?
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Ritual re-creation:
(Events of Month of Muharram) - Lamentation assembles - Re-enactments: "Passion-plays" - "Funeral Processions" |
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Leadership- Shi'i Idea of Imam
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- "The Imams" were a special type of inspired religious leader descended from Ali
- Was inspired-- had "living spirit of prophet" - designated by God - only authoritative interpreter of the Qur'an - "Translates" revelation for humans - Believe in family - Shi'i Imams took over political, military, religious, and spiritual leadership - The Shi'i's know all of this because of the "hidden" or esoteric meaning within the Qur'an |
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Leadership- Sunni idea of Imam
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- "Imam" -- just someone who leads prayer
- Sometimes connected w/ the "hidden" meaning -- but in a different way than Shi'i - Don't have this extra person - Don't care about family, majority could rule out - If stayed in family -- they would have too much power |
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Leadership- Sunni caliph
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Took over political and military leadership only
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Imam "Occultation" "Sevener" & "Twelver"
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There is a fixed # of Imams (Ali, Husayn, etc... - hereditary transmission)
At some point, transmission stops - Last Imam is not dead, but in hiding ("occultation") - The hidden Imam will return at the end of time Sevener- 7th Imam was the last (Ismail) Twelver- 12th Imam is in hiding (Muhammad Al-Muntazar) |
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Main difference between Sunni & Shi'i interpretation of the Qur'an
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Shi'i Interpretation:
- only Imam can interpret the Qur'an according to its true meaning - True meaning is esoteric or "hidden" - When interpreted correctly, the Qur'an supports the idea of Imamate |
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The Shi'i Shahada
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Shahada- expresses fundamental doctrines of Islam and is the only thing needed for conversation.
- No god but god - Muhammad is messenger of god - Ali is God's successor |
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Why did Shi'i jurors/legal scholars reject the ida of consensus, that was so important to the Sunni's?
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Rejected consensus & embraced ijtihad (independent reasoning)
Mujtahid- One who uses ijtihad |
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Characteristics of Mysticism
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- esoteric
- focus NOT on day to day life - seeks more direct experience with god - immanent God |
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Sufism illustrates Mysticism by...?
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- Ascetic practices: simple life, practices strict religious exercises & denies themselves of material satisfaction
...by NOT focusing on day-to-day activities Trust in God- seeking a more direct experience with god |
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The ultimate goal of Classical Sufism is?
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Union with God
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The ultimate goal (union with god) is achieved by...?
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Achieved by self-annihilation ( by allowing the spirit, not the ego, to take over the human soul
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How does the idea of "love" function in Sufi thought? What kind of love is it?
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Love is the basis of creation- love annihilates the ego
Emotional/Intuitive love- not cognition |
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"I am the Truth" Means...?
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"I am god"
Not literally, but that I have achieved a mystical/special connection with god |
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What is "monism"?
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"one-ness"
All things have a single essence |
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The role of "monism" in Sufi thought
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For Sufi's- God is everywhere and everything; reality is God
Union with god= awareness of his one-ness |
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Why is it difficult to reconcile with traditional Islamic thought & practice?
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Sufi- no dualities
Shi'ism- yes, dualities |
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Difference between monism and Suffi beliefs of monism
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Sufi- all realm is seeing/being god (god is found in everything)
Monism- no breakdown of god-only 1 being god |
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What role does Shari'a have in Sufism?
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Most Sufi's follow usual Muslim law and practices but they believe that law doesn't help in the journey towards god
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Development of Sufi Orders
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- disciples clustered around Master
- gradually, developed into "orders" (special tariqa passed down from master to appointed successor) - reverence for founder |
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Role of the Pir/Sheik
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- Has authority as one who has completed the journey
- Was once the disciple of another Pir, and another Pir, and another... - All "trace" their education back to Muhammad - Muhammad's Night Journey- Humans can experience God directly |
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Sufi vs. Judaism beliefs
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Suffi- more emotional thinking
Judaism- more intellectual thinking BOTH: -trying to get closer with god (just in different ways) - learning comprehension with god |
