Choose ONE of the following topics for your main discussion posting for the week. Remember to provide a reference for information. Also, remember not to copy and paste from any sources – summarize and analyze in your own words.

1. Explain the difference between the greater and lesser forms of jihad. How is jihad connected to the Five Pillars of Islam?
2. Why did certain areas experience a more thorough process of Islamization than other areas?
3. How did the beliefs and practices of Sufi Muslims depart from those of orthodox Muslims?
4. In what respects did the birth of Islam differ from that of Christianity?
5. In the absence of a political center, what bound the Islamic civilization together after the end of the Abbasid dynasty?
6. Creative option: Muhammad: The Messenger of God is a feature movie about Islam history. A trailer is available at Muhammad: The Messenger of God and you can find a copy to watch in various places. Tell us about the movie, and tell us if it is historically accurate. A suggestion: If you bring in a source or two that talk about its historical accuracy, then your task is much more manageable.