Exam Questions on Religion Example

Question 1. Define the two major powers that dominated most of the Middle East before the advent of Islam. Discuss their religious traditions. What were they fighting about? "Not only the lands but the other gains had they used to compete over".

Before the advent of Islam in the Middle East, there were communities that dominated the region. Two of the major powers were the Sassanids in Persia and the Byzantines in Syria-Palestine. These Arabian communities were tribal, and they ran alliances and threats of blood revenge to maintain security. The region was also inhabited by a few Jewish and Christian tribes who practiced their religion. Most of the other inhabitants were pagans who worshipped pagan deities and constructed shrines for them. The communities were in constant fights about resources and other conflicts resulting from religion and cultural differences. Since the Arabs were largely nomadic, they would fight over land and watering points. Additionally, to maintain relevance and positions of power in the region, the communities had to go to war and this necessitates the formation of alliances. As such, even when the Islam was established, the same culture was perpetrated.

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Question 2. What was the agreement between Muslims and the Jews of Medina? What did the Jewish tribes do afterwards? How did the prophet react?

After Muhammad migrated to Medina, the Islam religion became greatly established and a majority of the inhabitants converted to Islam and accepted Muhammad as their spiritual and political leader. There were three Jewish tribes living in the area namely Nadir, Qurayza, and Qaynuga. These refused to recognize Muhammad as their spiritual leader but they accepted him as their political leader. Under the Constitution of Medina which was named "God and His Prophet Muhammad," they made an agreement for all the two groups to obey Muhammad. The constitution also made the Jews equal to Muslims in exchange for political loyalty. However, the Jews broke this agreement during the battles of Badr and Uhud by collaborating secretly with the Quraysh to overthrow Muhammad. In retaliation, Muhammad expelled the two tribes of Nadir and Qaynuga together with their families and possessions out of Medina. The remaining Jews were accused of plotting against the Prophet's life with the Meccans, and their males were sentenced to execution. In short, Muhammad reacted through fighting and defeating the Jews and those who collaborated with them against him.

Question 3. What are the 4 Major sources of Islamic Jurisprudence, list the names of the 4 Imams as well as the names of their schools of thought. Who among them initiated the codification of the law?

The Islamic jurisprudence is derived from four major sources which are accepted by a majority of Sunni Muslims. These sources are the Quran, the Ahadith, the Ijmaa, and Qiyaas. The Quran is the collection of scriptures which act as a guide to the Islam religion as was given by Archangel Gabriel. The ahadith are the narrations by Prophet Muhammad. These two are the main sources that guide the Islamic faith. Ijmaa is the consensus of the Islamic scholars concerning a particular issue while Qiyaas is an analogy which involves finding something in the Quran or ahadith and relating it to the current problem or ruling. The names of the four imams who have had great significance in the Islamic history are Abu Hanifa, Imam Maalik, Imam Shaafi'ee, and Imam Ahmad. Imam Abu Hanifa had the greatest number of followers in his school. He is recognized for his contributions to the organization of fiqh into functional subcategories such as tahara. The imam who initiated codification of law is Imam Shaafi'ee.

Question 4. What is the meaning and significance of the term "Quran"? Relate your answer to the first revealed Surah, as well as the meaning of "culture of the word".

"Quran" generally refers to the scripture of Islam. However, the term refers to recitation and is drawn from the words of Archangel Gabriel when he appeared to Muhammad and told him to "Recite in the name of your Lord..." and gave him the recitations which became the guideline for the Islam religion. The significance of the term "Quran" is laid on the fact that these revelations form the fundamentals of the Islamic religion. For instance, the first revelation (sura) was the Sura of Sincerity forms the core doctrine of Islam. The sura talks about God's unity and supremacy. Sura refers to the chapters that form the Quran. The culture of the word as preached by Muhammad was that there is no god but God. It also reveals that there are rewards and punishments according to one's deeds which are enclosed in the pleasures found in paradise and tortures of hell fire.

Question 5. What did the Umayyad caliph Abd Al-Malik (685-705) do to the administrative documentations? What type of coins did he introduce? How did it look like?

The rise of the Umayyads' to power brought significant changes. Caliph Abd Al-Malik rose to power at a time when there was a new system of governance. The Muslim rulers had been content to adapt the existing systems of government and tax collection using local languages such as Middle Persian and Greek. However, at his time, the new system was in need of a new language of administration. Arabic was made the language of administration and finances. The language had been used in the government offices in organizing payments, registering the army, and regulating treasury. However, Abd Al-Malik pioneered the documentation of these documents in the Arabic language. He also issued a new type of coin which was struck to a new weight standard and with decorations of Arabic writing. The writings of the coins bore the fundamental beliefs of the Muslims. The center part of the front side bore a statement declaring the existence of only one God who has no partner and was surrounded by a legend that Muhammad is the only messenger of God sent to proclaim the religion of Truth over other religions. The back of the coin bore an adaptation of Koran 112 which stated God's oneness while refuting the Trinity and surrounded by the invocation, the name of the mint, and the date. This coin and the writings inspired the coins that get minted in the Islamic lands as they still have only writings and no pictures.

Question 6. Compare the history of the Umayyad mosque in Damascus to that of the one in Cordoba. Include their architectural improved additions.

The Umayyad Mosque of Damascus was one of the buildings that depicted how a congregational mosque must have looked like. The mosque was rebuilt from a Roman temple which the Muslims bought and rebuilt. The walls of the Roman temple were left to enclose the mosque, which had a broad courtyard surrounded by arcades and a huge prayer hall. The mosque in Damascus was lavishly decorated with marble plaques and glass mosaics, and a large panel wall illustrating an idyllic landscape of a river flowing beneath fantastic homes and pavilions separated by trees, which depicted the beautiful landscape of paradise as described in the Koran. This is the place where the true believers of Islam go after death. The Great Mosque of Cordoba is one of the most magnificent mosques, and it depicted the prosperity of the city as well as its international connections. The mosque was built with an open courtyard that led to a prayer hall that was supported by many columns. The roof was supported by a double-tiered system of columns and arches. The design of the mosque is unique as the necessary height was acquired by stacking two short columns on top of one other. This mosque was one of the memorable architectural creations of medieval Europe. In the preceding years, the mosque was repeatedly enlarged and embellished. The walls and ceiling were covered with gold mosaic to commemorate the glories of old times when old mosques like that of Damascus was built.

Question 7. The Umayyad princes of Spain transformed Cordoba into a splendid capital, explain that including everything mentioned in the crucible article.

The city of Cordoba was transformed into a magnificent and prosperous city by the Umayyad princes of Spain. It was the capital for the Umayyad, and it copied all the fashions of Baghdad. The Umayyad princes of Spain furnished Cordoba to avoid being outdone by the Fatimid caliphs. They, therefore adopted the caliphal honorifics. The city grew from being a sleepy provincial outpost into being the most civilized city in Europe. It was given names such as "ornament of the world." Cordoba surpassed other cities for possessing four resources that others lacked. These were the bridge over the Quadalquivir River, the palace at Madina al-Zahr, the mosque, and knowledge. The city was clean, paved, well lit and abundantly supplied with running water while the other European cities were dark. Merchants brought gold and ivory across the Sahara which were transformed into jewelry, coins, and luxurious stuff for the caliph and his courtiers. In short, the city of Cordoba grew far and wide in terms of power and wealth under the princes of Spain. The Great Mosque also adds to the points that show of the greatness of the city of Cordoba. The Umayyad caliphs later retired to splendid garden palaces in the city's suburbs just like their rivals in Baghdad.

Question 8. Who is Al-Khawarizmi? What were his achievements? How did they impact the Islamic world and the rest of the world till our present day?

Al-Khawarizmi was a Persian mathematician, astrologer geographer, an astronomer, and a scholar who worked in the House of Wisdom in Bagdad. He was one of the learned people working in the House of Wisdom and as such had numerous contributions to the Islamic world which is felt even in the present day. He developed the concept of the algorithm in mathematics, which is considered as the cornerstone of the sciences. His algebra has its chief interest as the earliest work of Arab which is still in existence in Arabic. He also wrote works on astronomy some of which was based on the work of other scientists. He is also introduced the Arabic numbers to the west setting in motion the use of Arabic numerals. His contributions to geography, astronomy, mathematics and others greatly impacted the Islamic world who adopted his findings and which are being used presently. He is remembered as one of the greatest scientific minds in the Islamic culture.

Question 9. Define the Nizamiyya's and Mustansiriyyas, when were they established? By who? What did they offer?

Mustansiriyyas and Nizamiyya Madrasahs are institutions of learning. Mustansiriyyas is one of the world's oldest institutions of higher learning which was established in 1227 as a madrasah. This was established by the Abbasid Caliph al-Mustansir. These two institutions of learning were merged in 1393 A.D. The institutions acted as libraries where a large collection of books were found. However, they suffered an attack by the Ottomans who captured Bagdad and plundered the books leading to the closure of the institution.

Question 10. Discuss the interactive relationship between Islam and Christianity since 632 till 948.

Islam and Christianity are two religions which have been in conflicts which have led to violence in the past. This was even at the end of the twentieth century where violence from these two communities continued to be a common thing. The basis of this violence is competition. For centuries, these two faiths were characterized by competition which saw military success as a sign of divine favor. This started within a decade after the death of Muhammad in 632 when Muslim conquered many regions which had been considered Christian heartland. Although there was an intensive cultural exchange, the prevalent attitude was one of hostility. Muslims conquered major areas in the region, and by 732, they had reached as far as the French city of Tours...