THE ISLAM

THE ISLAM
Read questions over thoroughly. Keep in mind, for most questions, there is a factual and theoretical side to your response. The factual side is based on source material. The theoretical side is based on how you have thought about the information. Your view anchored and organized in facts to create a persuasive response is important.

For all questions, develop a general thesis subsequently; develop its support in response to each question, and a solid conclusion.
1.Write two to three sentences on the following:Rashidun Caliphs .
2.Shi’a .
3.Hadith .
4.Sunni .
5.Read the following Website: New Internationalist Magazine, Muslims: The Facts answer the following:
1.Approximately how many Muslims are in the world? .
2.What country has the most Muslims? .
3.Approximately how many Muslims are in the North America? .
.The first half of the first pillar of the Islamic faith is �there is no deity but Allah.� Who or what is Allah? Is he different from the God of the Jews and Christians? Be sure to use terminology like Shirk, Tauheed, and ayah (sign), etc., to explain your analysis.

Develop and analyze the following origin myth from the Qur�an. What is the Qur�an, and be sure to explain characters such as Iblis, humans, etc., that make up the Qur�anic worldview for Muslims. The Qur�an states, Sura 2: V35-37:

�35.We said: "O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden; and eat of the bountiful things therein as (where and when) ye will; but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression." .
�36.Then did Satan make them slip from the (garden), and get them out of the state (of felicity) in which they had been. We said: "Get ye down, all (ye people), with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling-place and your means of livelihood�for a time." .
�37. Then learnt Adam from his Lord words of inspiration, and his Lord Turned towards him; for He is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. .
Who is Prophet Muhammad (full name and year of birth, etc.)? In your response, create a distinction between Muhammad the man in al-Jahiliyya and Muhammad the Prophet, situating him in the context of the three main Islamic areas�Islam, Iman, and Ihsan�in the Islamic period.

Prophet Muhammad was an Arab and most Westerners (i.e., Americans) have an Arab-centered notion of Islam. In your view, what does this comment mean? Also, is this an accurate way of understanding a world religion? Explain what is meant by a world religion. Use the sources to aid the theoretical side of your specific response.

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