English 8: Arabia - Cradle of Islam

• The presentation is titled Arabia - Cradle of Islam, and it's for English 8 by Bryan Liu

Learning Targets

• Identify types of literature contributed by Arabic or West Asian writers
• Discuss the meaning of words present in the selection
• Respond to the text by comparing the text to real-life experiences

Connect Your Experience

• Consider what you know about Islam
• Explore the difference between Muslim and Islam
• Consider which practices of Muslims you know, and how they relate to your own traditions and beliefs

The Qur'an

• Muslims accept the Qur'an as God's actual speech, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the Archangel Gabriel over 1,400 years ago
• The Qur'an is recited in its original Arabic during prayers as an act of worship
• The Qur'an is considered to be be the final revealed scripture for guiding mankind on many subjects

Faith in the Qur'an

• Oneness of Allah Almighty
• Belief in Angels
• Belief in the Resurrection and the Hereafter
• Belief in the Last Day

Justice in the Qur'an

• Accountability
• Financial Justice
• Social Justice
• Human Rights
• Enjoining Good
• Forbidding Evil
• Religious Freedom

Virtue in the Qur'an

• Mercy
• Humility
• Patience
• Thankfulness
• Chastity
• Service
• Fulfilling Contracts and Oaths

Worship in the Qur'an

• Prayer
• Fasting
• Trusting in God
• Love of God
• Fear of God
• Hope in God
• Forgiveness
• Zakat and Charity

Structure, Language, and Preservation

• The Qur'an contains 114 "Surahs" (chapters) that can be read independently
• Each Surah consists of "Ayahs" (verses), each ayah should be seen as a "sign from God."
• Worldwide Muslims recite the Qur'an in the original Arabic dialect
• Millions of Muslims memorize the Qur'an word for word in its entirety, whether they are Arab or non-Arab
• The Qur'an has not been changed, edited, or altered from the original state

Markers

• Zakat is an Islamic finance term referring to donating a portion of wealth to charity each year
• Al-Baqarah (The Cow) has been named from the story of the Cow occuring in this Surah (vv. 67-73)
• Deluded means deceived, misled
• Reckoning means accounting or weighing
• Transgressors are Sinners

Excerpts from Qur'an

• Do not cover Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when you know it
• Be steadfast in prayer; give Zakat, and bow down your heads with those who bow down in worship. Al-Baqara-2:42-43
• There is no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from Error; whoever reject Evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things. Al-Baqara - 2:256
• Mankind were one community, and Allah sent prophets as bearers of good tidings/warners, and revealed the Scripture with the truth that it might judge between mankind concerning that wherein they differed.
• Only those unto whom (the Scripture) was given differed concerning it, after clear proofs had come unto them, through hatred one of another. And Allah by His Will guided those who believe unto the truth of that concerning which they differed. Allah guideth whom He will unto a straight path. Al-Baqarah - 2:213

Surah 23: The Believers

• Believers win through eventually
• Those who humble themselves in prayer
• Who avoid vain talk
• Those who are active in deeds of charity
• Abstain from sex, unless with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess, for (in their case) they are free from blame
• Those whose desires exceed those limits are transgressors

Surah 23: The Believers (Continued):

• Observe Trusts and Covenants
• Those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants
• Guard Prayers, and strictly guard their prayers
• Inherit Paradise, who will dwell therein (forever)
• Allah has governance over all things, who protects all, but is not protected by any
• Allah has sent them the Truth but they practice falsehood

Surah 23: The Believers (Conclusion)

• Allah is exalted, the King, the Reality: there is no god but He, the Lord of the Throne of Honour
• If anyone invokes, besides Allah, any other god, he has no authority therefore; and his reckoning will be only with his Lord
• The Unbelievers will fail to win through
• A prayer to Allah for granting forgiveness and mercy, because Thou art the Best of those who show mercy