The Sunni developed much earlier than the Shi’i their Hadith (which differ from the Shi’i) which serve as a basis for Islamic law (Shari’a). Sunni Islam puts much greater emphasis than the Shi’i on the pilgrimage to Mecca. For the Shi’i there are other pilgrimages of equal importance.
For the Sunni, the Imam is simply one who leads services in a mosque – there are, thus, many Imams. For the Sunni, the Imam is simply one who leads services in a mosque – there are, thus, many Imams.The Shi’i consider the Caliph as a religious head who controls all of life including government. Thus in Iran, the Ayotollah has great political as well as spiritual power – because Iran is largely Shi’i.Iraq is ruled by a relatively small Sunni group although Shi’i are in the majority (about 60% Shi’i, 7% Christian, 8% Kurd an 25% Sunni.).
This is a very rough map, but it indicates that Shi’a Muslims are confined to a fairly small area – Iran and Iraq are the centres of the Shi’I although they form a minority in Iraq. This is a very rough map, but it indicates that Shi’a Muslims are confined to a fairly small area – Iran and Iraq are the centres of the Shi’I although they form a minority in Iraq.
Islam grew faster in terms of territory controlled than any other religion in history – largely by conquest by Muslim armies. Between 634 and 644 Muslim armies gained control of the Middle East. Jerusalem fell in 638, Egypt in 641. Islam grew faster in terms of territory controlled than any other religion in history – largely by conquest by Muslim armies. Between 634 and 644 Muslim armies gained control of the Middle East. Jerusalem fell in 638, Egypt in 641.Islamic armies controlled part of Spain and entered France (until turned back in 732) and to the East they gained control of Persia.The new rulers permitted worship by ‘people of the book’ (Christians and Jews were ‘dhimmis’ or protected, second class citizens) provided they paid the required taxes, but all idol worshippers were punished. Constantinople survived many threats before it finally fell in 1453. HOWEVER Christians could not build Churches, could not evangelise,
The great Christian Cathedral of St. Sophia was transformed into a Mosque after the defeat of Constantinople - it is now a museum.
ISLAM
Because the Qur'an is such a holy book and no pictures are allowed in Islam, the calligraphy is often very beautiful. Because the Qur'an is such a holy book and no pictures are allowed in Islam, the calligraphy is often very beautiful.This is a page from a C1300th Koran.
The Qu’ran was revealed to Muhammad over many years and was given in 114 SURAS. Each Sura opens with an indication of its origin but some scholars hold that many Suras have mixed origins. The Qu’ran was revealed to Muhammad over many years and was given in 114 SURAS. Each Sura opens with an indication of its origin but some scholars hold that many Suras have mixed origins.The longest Suras are at the beginning and the shortest at the end – BUT there is no sense of chronology.Suras appear to be applied to the particular situation of the life of the prophet and his community.
The Qu’ran is written in Arabic and it is held that it cannot be accurately translated into any other language. The Qu’ran is written in Arabic and it is held that it cannot be accurately translated into any other language.Interpretation of the Qu’ran is a science in its own right. In the early years, Muslims scholars studied history, language and natural science in order to interpret it.This has given rise to different interpretations – but these are held in parallel, not as competing.
Given that: Given that: - The Qu’ran was written over a number of years and messages came to the Prophet in response to particular events in the young Islamic community, and there is no reason why one Sura should appear before another – there is no clear reason for the ordering of the Koran.
It would be easy to expect that Qu’ranic rules would be tied to the context and culture in which they arose. But this is not the case.
Christians differ widely as to how the Hebrew and Christian scriptures are to be interpreted. Some, few, are literalists but most accept that these were documents written by human beings in a particular context and, therefore, biblical scholarship and exegesis are entirely appropriate. Christians differ widely as to how the Hebrew and Christian scriptures are to be interpreted. Some, few, are literalists but most accept that these were documents written by human beings in a particular context and, therefore, biblical scholarship and exegesis are entirely appropriate.
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