Islam 101
Overview of the Presentation
Natana Delong-Bas offers a broad overview of the Islamic tradition.听 She invites listeners to shatter stereotypes and to more deeply understand 鈥渨hat it is that Muslims believe and why their faith tradition is so dear to them.鈥�
Natana Delong-Bas, 涩里番下载 associate professor of the practice of theology.听听She is the author of听Islam: A Living Faith听(Anselm Academic, 2018).
Using this Resource
This resource is a guide to using an STM Online: Encore presentation as a conversation starter with members of a faith community.听 Each part of the presentation may be used separately, in combination with each other, or in a sequence over a period of time.听 鈥淚slam for Catholics鈥� has broad appeal for a faith community.听 It could serve as a standalone adult ed series, or could supplement the learning of a wide variety of existing parish groups.听 Segments could be used by for periodic catechist meetings or Catholic school faculty meetings, and it would also be appropriate for high school religion students studying the world religions.听 Prayer groups, Scripture study, outreach groups, and women鈥檚 or men鈥檚 groups could find this resource to be a worthwhile enhancement to their work and mission.
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This segment provides a brief overview regarding the importance of learning more about Islam, and then discusses the book of revelation Muslims call the Qur鈥檃n, which also includes references to the Bible as used by Christians.听 DeLong-Bas discusses interpretation of the Qur鈥檃n, which is central in the prayer, world view, and daily life of a Muslim.
Tip: Consider opening your session with the music video by Sami Yusuf, Asma Allah, [5:28 minutes].听 The music will set a respectful tone to your session, and the song offers insight into how Muslims view the attributes of God.听 If you are doing multiple sessions, this video will provide an excellent bookend to the series played at the very end.听
PDF Transcript (opens new window)
Vocabulary:
Sabians 鈥� a religious group mentioned in the Qur鈥檃n as a 鈥減eople of the book鈥�
Polysemic 鈥� having multiple meanings
Questions for Reflection or Discussion:
- What do you see as similarities with the way Christians understand revelation in the Bible?听 What differences do you notice?
- What surprised you or stands out for you in the discussion of the Qur鈥檃n?
- How do you understand the principle of submission and its implications for the practice of Islam?
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Overview:
DeLong-Bas discusses Muslim beliefs about Muhammad in this segment of the presentation.听 In particular, note the prophet鈥檚 relationship to God, the changing roles for Muhammad in his lifetime, the role of violence in Islam, and Muhammad鈥檚 dealings in the political realm.听 This section invites us to question our assumptions and stereotypes, and to consider the points of intersection, similarity, and difference with Christianity.
PDF Transcript (opens new window)
Vocabulary:
Sunna - sayings and doings of the Prophet Muhammad, recorded in literature called the hadith.
Shura 鈥� consultation
Ijma 鈥� consensus
Questions for Reflection or Discussion:
- Explain your understanding of this statement: 鈥淢uslim reference is to Muhammad, Muslim reverence is to God.鈥�
- Comment on Muslim beliefs of the humanity and divinity of Muhammad.听 How does this differ from Christian understanding of Jesus?
- If someone asked you who Muhammad was, how would you respond?听 What are the main points that define him?
- What have you learned about Islam and violence in this segment?
Overview:
In this segment, DeLong-Bas describes the basic tenets of Islamic belief, known as 鈥淭he Five Pillars of Islam.鈥澨� She points to the deeper meaning underlying each practice, and some of the intersections with Christianity.听 She also describes jihad in this section, which some have attempted to categorize as a pillar.
PDF Transcript (opens new window)
Questions for Reflection or Discussion:
- Briefly name and describe the Five Pillars of Islam.听 Did you notice a shift in the way you understand these practices?听 Please describe.
- Choose one of the Pillars of Islam, and describe its similarities and differences with Christian tradition and practice.听 What do you admire about the practice?听 What do you want to know more about?
- What principle or theme connects these pillars for you as a basic tenet of Islam?听
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Overview:
DeLong-Bas explains, in general terms, the differences between three branches of Islam that may be recognized from their use in describing world events.
PDF Transcript (opens new window)
Vocabulary:
caliph/caliphate 鈥� successor to Muhammad who serves as a political leader
Questions for Reflection or Discussion:
- What did you learn about jihad in this segment?听 What do you want to remember?
- What do you understand to be the main differences between the Sunnis, Shiis, and Sufis?听 Please explain.
- Take one of the branches of Islam and do some additional research on it.听 Where is this branch most prominent?听 What additional distinguishing characteristics did you find?
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Overview:
DeLong-Bas probes some of the core commonalities among Muslims and Christians in this final segment, including the creation of the first humans, personal accountability, Mary, and Jesus.听 She completes her discussion with a brief reflection on possible avenues for interreligious dialogue among Muslims and Christians.
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PDF Transcript (opens new window)
Tip: Consider closing your session with the music video by Sami Yusuf, Asma Allah [5:28 minutes], which is the same one DeLong-Bas ended her program with.听
Questions for Reflection or Discussion:
- DeLong-Bas states, 鈥淥ne of the things Muslims and Christians really need to think seriously about is, what kind of dialogue or relationship are we looking for?鈥澨� How do you respond to her question?听 What motivates your response?
- What issues are important to engage with at the local level?听 What would be realistic next steps for your community to take to enter into dialogue on one or more of these issues?
- [Use this question if you are using all modules of Islam 101 as a series] Looking back on this brief study of the basics of Islam, what do you want to hold on to?听 How will you embrace this in your own life?听 What do you want to learn more about?
The 涩里番下载 STMCE Encore Events archive has additional video presentations on Islam:
The full length version of this presentation "Islam for Catholics 101"
Full transcript PDF for "Islam for Catholics 101" (opens new window)
鈥淢uslim Women and Islamic Law: Myths and Realities鈥�
Books recommended by Dr. DeLong-Bas:
Jonathan A. C. Brown.听 Muhammad: A Very Short Introduction.听 2011:听 Oxford University Press.
John L. Esposito.听 What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam, 2nd edition.听 2011: Oxford University Press.听 Presented in question and answer format.
John L. Esposito and Dalia Mogahed.听 Who Speaks for Islam? What A Billion Muslims Really Think.听 2008: Gallup Press.听 Based on the findings of the largest Gallup Poll ever done of the Muslim world.
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