As you said during your presentation. The idea that there should be a group of people, studying and praying together, sounds like a good idea, but in actuality it was set up for disaster. The umma is made up of political and religious leaders. When you combine political leaders and religious leaders, there is usually disagreements and a thirst for power 100% complete power by some people. It wasn't perfect when it was just started because in the religion of Islam there are rules, but not extremely strict rules, so people interpret the religion in many different ways. The Quran is what most Muslims live by, and most of the time the Quran contradicts itself. It is hard to live by rules that are contradicting and when starting the umma, no one knew that this was going to be a problem.
Nice post Hollis! I liked what you said about the "thirst for power" when you combine political and religious leaders. When you talk about the Quran contradicting itself, can you give any examples? And in your last sentence, who do you mean by no one- the umma?
I really enjoyed the examples Madeleine gave during her presentation about the power of women in the religion. But for a different example, I will use the quotes talking about the misleading of people. The Quran clearly states that BOTH Satan and Allah mislead people in some way, shape, or form, but it does it in a way that during both of the times that it states it, it makes it seem like only one of them misleads people.
In Sura 4, lines 119-120; The Quran says, "I will mislead them, and I will create in them false desires." (This quote is said by Satan) It also says that Allah states, "Satan makes them promises and creates in them false hope." As you can see above, this CLEARLY says that Satan is making false hope in things that should have no hope at all and creating misleading problems for all of the Muslims.
The way the Quran contradicts itself is with the next quote about Allah, God. Sura 16, line 93: "If Allah, so willed, He could make you all one people. But he leaves straying whom He please and he guides whom He pleases. This makes an evident point that Satan misleads people and in Allah you can find no trust. So who are you supposed to trust in this contradicting mess?
When Muhammad started Islam he had a vision of people reconnecting with God and helping improve life for the community. He preached giving to the poor, not drinking, gambling, or believing in more than one god. However, once Muhammad died, questions arose about like: Who was going to lead the Umma now? Ultimately, this debate led to the downfall of the ideal Islam society. After Muhammad, there were four Caliphs, Abu Bakr, Othman, Omar, and Ali. Abu Bakr became Caliph without everyones consent. Some thought Ali should be the Caliph, but Ali was not there when Abu Bakr was named Caliph. This helped the Sunni Shi'ites split happen. Secondly, Omar enforced Jihad. Although there are two interpretations,it can mean holy war. Today, we have a problem with a small population of Muslims that believe in this interpretation of Jihad. They use violence to spread Islam. Lastly, Othman used his power to give his relatives administration job. His relatives were selfish and only wanted the money and power, not the good of the people.
Very nice points Allie! I especially like how you incorporated Jihad into all of this. As you said in your answer, with each caliph comes a new change in the Islamic population and the umma. Why do you think this is? Do you think that some of the most important ideas from Muhammad's connection with God are still implemented in the umma today?
Thanks Annie! Well, each ruler was different and had different intentions in ruling the Umma. For example, Othman just wanted to make money and help his family. Ultimately, Othman was power hungry. Each ruler was also ruling during a different time, so at each stage in the development of Islam, there were different problems. Abu Bakr had to try and keep people to stay in the Umma, while Omar was looking at the more social aspect of it. Overall, God's important ideas are still implemented in the umma today. Muslims believe in one God and that Muhammad is his last prophet. Muslims are concerned with the poor and well-being of the society. However, as a religion develops, there are going to be different interpretations of texts on how to live. Just like in Buddhism, there are different sects within the religion. In Islam, there are the Sunnis and the Shi'ites.
As you said during your presentation. The idea that there should be a group of people, studying and praying together, sounds like a good idea, but in actuality it was set up for disaster. The umma is made up of political and religious leaders. When you combine political leaders and religious leaders, there is usually disagreements and a thirst for power 100% complete power by some people. It wasn't perfect when it was just started because in the religion of Islam there are rules, but not extremely strict rules, so people interpret the religion in many different ways. The Quran is what most Muslims live by, and most of the time the Quran contradicts itself. It is hard to live by rules that are contradicting and when starting the umma, no one knew that this was going to be a problem.
ReplyDeleteNice post Hollis! I liked what you said about the "thirst for power" when you combine political and religious leaders. When you talk about the Quran contradicting itself, can you give any examples? And in your last sentence, who do you mean by no one- the umma?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the examples Madeleine gave during her presentation about the power of women in the religion. But for a different example, I will use the quotes talking about the misleading of people. The Quran clearly states that BOTH Satan and Allah mislead people in some way, shape, or form, but it does it in a way that during both of the times that it states it, it makes it seem like only one of them misleads people.
ReplyDeleteIn Sura 4, lines 119-120; The Quran says, "I will mislead them, and I will create in them false desires." (This quote is said by Satan)
It also says that Allah states, "Satan makes them promises and creates in them false hope."
As you can see above, this CLEARLY says that Satan is making false hope in things that should have no hope at all and creating misleading problems for all of the Muslims.
The way the Quran contradicts itself is with the next quote about Allah, God. Sura 16, line 93: "If Allah, so willed, He could make you all one people. But he leaves straying whom He please and he guides whom He pleases.
This makes an evident point that Satan misleads people and in Allah you can find no trust. So who are you supposed to trust in this contradicting mess?
Great question. Nice examples. Thanks for commenting! :)
ReplyDeleteWhen Muhammad started Islam he had a vision of people reconnecting with God and helping improve life for the community. He preached giving to the poor, not drinking, gambling, or believing in more than one god. However, once Muhammad died, questions arose about like: Who was going to lead the Umma now? Ultimately, this debate led to the downfall of the ideal Islam society. After Muhammad, there were four Caliphs, Abu Bakr, Othman, Omar, and Ali. Abu Bakr became Caliph without everyones consent. Some thought Ali should be the Caliph, but Ali was not there when Abu Bakr was named Caliph. This helped the Sunni Shi'ites split happen. Secondly, Omar enforced Jihad. Although there are two interpretations,it can mean holy war. Today, we have a problem with a small population of Muslims that believe in this interpretation of Jihad. They use violence to spread Islam. Lastly, Othman used his power to give his relatives administration job. His relatives were selfish and only wanted the money and power, not the good of the people.
ReplyDeleteVery nice points Allie! I especially like how you incorporated Jihad into all of this. As you said in your answer, with each caliph comes a new change in the Islamic population and the umma. Why do you think this is? Do you think that some of the most important ideas from Muhammad's connection with God are still implemented in the umma today?
ReplyDeleteThanks Annie! Well, each ruler was different and had different intentions in ruling the Umma. For example, Othman just wanted to make money and help his family. Ultimately, Othman was power hungry. Each ruler was also ruling during a different time, so at each stage in the development of Islam, there were different problems. Abu Bakr had to try and keep people to stay in the Umma, while Omar was looking at the more social aspect of it.
ReplyDeleteOverall, God's important ideas are still implemented in the umma today. Muslims believe in one God and that Muhammad is his last prophet. Muslims are concerned with the poor and well-being of the society. However, as a religion develops, there are going to be different interpretations of texts on how to live. Just like in Buddhism, there are different sects within the religion. In Islam, there are the Sunnis and the Shi'ites.