RELG 1641 Lecture : Religion, the Body, and Sexuality 15.docx

• School: Mount A, MtA
• Department: Religious Studies
• Course: RELG 1641
• Professor: Fiona Black

Document Summary

Shia- 10% of muslim population, mostly found in iraq and iran after muhammad"s death- questions of who would take over- division of sunni and shia: ali became the 4th caliph. Shia muslims have some different practices- commemorate ali"s assassination; some different prayer practices. Sufi- mystical tradition, mindfulness, asceticism, more meditative: major focus is dhikr- a divine remembrance- attempting to make god present in one"s experience ritual chanting, dancing to connect with god through prayer. Ali was chosen as the fourth caliph and was assassinated imams= spiritual leaders or scholars in islamic faith (ali was first recognized imam) Islam appeared to improve the situation for women; before they were considered to be chattel and had no societal protections. Western misconceptions may be linked to regional differences. Best case scenario: women are respected for their roles, veiling allows women to have. Islam is concerned with egalitarian marriage- men and women are different but equal.