Qur'an

Over the years I had the opportunity to visit other countries and able to experience the cultural differences including some of the beliefs and the practices. Religion has never been my strong topic, not because any specific preference but more so due to the constant battle for some belief and the fanatical followers who make it almost distasteful. From the captivity in Babylonia 587 – 520 BCE the religion of Judaism was founded 1300 BC, after the ruin of the second temple in 70 AD (the…

It is a deceptively simple building located on a high platform that was erected at some indeterminate time on the large esplanade in the southeastern corner of the city. Its wooden gilt dome is slightly over twenty meters in diameter and rises like a tall cylinder to a height of some thirty meters over the surrounding stone-paved platform. It is supported by a circular arcade of four piers and twelve columns. An octagon of two ambulatories on eight piers and sixteen columns holds the cylinder…

Judaism Judaism is regarded as the mother of the two Abrahamic traditions that are Christianity and Islam. The traditional belief is centered on an all-powerful God. God is described as neither having a beginning or ending and being eternal in nature. There is the belief that ultimately God foreordains all activities in the universe. However, humans have been given special privileges in decision making. In Judaism there is immense respect for nature, which is evident in the biblical passage from…

it is helpful to read it and apply it in the life. The Bible is free from error in all it affirms and unfailing in its purpose. I have in my religion the Quran, which is the holy book of Islam and is viewed by Muslims as the direct word of God. The Qur’an will lead us to the Paradise. 2- Spiritual reading is an important point in the growth of virtue directing. Spirituality focuses on the existence of God in this life. In my experience, I always read the Quran once a week, but far away from…

Asma Barlas performed a workshop on Islam and Autonomy, she showed a picture of a Burqa-clad woman which raised the question “does the Qur’an support gender equality?” Barlas raises many issues addressing her research subject about what the Quran says about patriarchy. I will be discussing Barlas arguments in depth and viewing whether the Quran truly treats males and females equally. In summary of Barlas article she states, if cultural modes represent differentiation then what better maker on…

The five pillars of Islam are the framework for a Muslim person 's religious life. The pillars are Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj. Both the Sunni and Shi’a agree on the essential principles of the pillars despite their other fundamental differences. These pillars are commanded by their god called Allah. Performing the pillars allows muslims to combine their religious and secular lives into a single unit of devotion. The fulfillment of the pillars is seen more as an obligation or duty…

Much criticism lately has been given towards Islamic Law, otherwise known as “Sharia Law.” The criticism stems from the harsh penalties for acts that in many other legal systems around the world, like common law, would not be crimes. Sharia is especially harsh on women, people of other faiths, and homosexuals. Substantive Common, Civil and Criminal Law Most developed countries have some sort of Common Law, which governs criminal law, and civil law. Many counties ' legal systems are based…

The first article that I read in regard to the question on whether radical Islam is or is not an ideology was Liberal Islam: Prospects and Challenges by Charles Kurzman. In the first paragraph Kurzman talks about Muslims firmly believing in “Liberal Islam” which refers to interpretations of Islam that are concerning issues such as democracy, separating religion from political involvement, women’s rights, freedom of thought, and promoting human progress. Kurzman feels that changes to religion for…

Is Islam and violence like a peanut butter and jelly combination? Do they always get along with each other? The growth of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, who have Muslims as their group members, baffle the non-Islamic people regarding the true nature of Islam. Most analysts argue that the terrorist threat is unquestionably Islamic and is not much a deviation from Muslim tradition, whereas others defend that…

Islamic Fundamentalism and Liberal Democracy in the United States Every day on the news we hear about car bombings, “terrorist” threats, and lists of the men and women who have been wounded or killed during the War on Terror. In the United States we proudly fight to keep liberal democracy and we encourage others to join the freedom that we hold. Yet, liberal democracy may not always run smoothly within other religions and cultures. A major world religion, Islam, strongly opposes a liberal…