REL 2029 Lecture : Islam Notes
Document Summary
N. arabia (arabia ferax: arabia (arabia felix) Background: was a member of the quraysh. Jahiliyya means ignorance in arabic; hostile term from muslims; covenant. Accepts jewish religion as a true faith. Mentions moses more than muhammad (and jesus) Accepts christianity, but sees jesus as a prophet; islam rejects the trinity. Islam is not recognized by jews and christians, because they don"t accept new and improved versions of the faith. Zoroastrian ideas of angels, demons; light, dark; evil, good. Very similar to the tao balance in east asia. (yin/yang) Animist animates inanimate objects; physical geography (trees, rocks, etc) North arabia (arabia ferax) no afterlife, but venerated ancestors. Ferax, or land of heresies, because of all the movements led by prophets . Life was harsh and difficult; the people where tribal nomads, the movements resulted from this. Muhammad was from mecca; the urban life was starting. Rise in poverty = prophets trying to improve the quality of life there.
