Rel 203 Religions of the Middle East
Thursday 6/6/02

Test times: 6/7 am to 6/13 5pm

Scale given for midterm 2

extra credit during final time: 6/13 Thurs 12:00-1:50

Muhammad is poisoned by a Jew (his cook). His friend dies so Muhammad executes the woman. Years later, Muhammad dies unexpectedly, possibly from the above mentioned poisoning.

Muslims sects after Muhammad's death

Sunni- followed Abu (father-in-law to Muhammad) Approx 85% of Muslims
-emphasize religious tradition written in Shari'ah (Law)
-found in Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Pakistan, Turkey, North Africa
-4 Caliphs

Shi'ites- followed 'Ali (Muhammad's cousin)
Approx 10% of Muslims
-emphasis on spiritual guidance from heaven of existing religious leaders
-12 imams (12th disappeared, translated to heaven:guides from there "twelvers"
-"Pentecostal-like" belief
-found in Iran, Iraq

Sufi- (suf=wool) Approx 5% of Muslims
-Ascetic, mustical group that deny bodily wants for spiritual growth
-Also known as Fakirs (poor ones)-poverty vows
-many monastic orders
-Emphasis on experience of oneness with God "seeing God's face"
-meditation
-originally ignored Islamic law and were persecuted
-Al-Ghazali made sufism respectable: outwardly respect law as well as inwardly

Whirling Dervish sect- Mawlawiya
ritual dancing-twirling in circles
founded by Rumi

Afterlife
Paradise and Hell
hell: eating heads of demons

paradise: physical concept
streams, servant girls, luxurious couches, good food