Sunday, August 29, 2007

OPENING MUSIC - Jennifer Keeney, flute

CALL TO SILENCE and OPENING MEDITATION

Today we continue our two-week exploration of Islam with the help of the "Peace Village" kit compiled by the Episcopal Diocese. This week, we will study more fully what it means to be Shi'a and Sunni, the role of women in Islamic society, Islamic dress, and the concept of "jihad".

READINGS

About Islam, compiled from various sources as noted.

Islam, as a religion, is characterized by its sober rituals and absence of ceremony. However, there are a few symbols that have become associated with Islam. Most recognizable is the prayer-carpet, which, along with the surrounding area, must be spotlessly clean. Prayer beads may be used when reciting the 99 full names of Allah. The beads are in sections of 33 and are also used to recite prayers of thanksgiving to Allah for his blessings. The most important "symbol" is the Qur'an, the non-created and incarnate word of God. Muslims worship in a mosque on Friday, the "Day of Gathering", and the holy day of the Muslim week. The mosque consists of a large prayer hall, a mezzanine at the back of the hall set aside for women, a minaret from which the call to prayer is given, a hollow alcove which indicates the direction of Mecca, a preachers pulpit, and an ablutions hall where believers must cleanse themselves before prayer. (1)

Islam has not broken into denominations as has Christianity. However, Islam allows for divergence of opinion, and three major groups have emerged. The Sunnis represent approximately 90 percent of the worldwide community of Muslims. They are the "People of the Sunna", those who follow the "normative" example of the Prophet Muhammad. The Shi'a, a term which originally meant "partisans" or "followers", are those who believe that the proper successor to Muhammad should have been his cousin "Ali". Sunnis and Shi'ites agree on basic elements of doctrine and practice. The disagreement is one of leadership and the role of the Imam, who is a representative of the Prophet appointed by God to continue the Prophet's work. The imam's task is to interpret the inner, spiritual meaning of the Qur'an, as well as its outer, literal meaning. The Sufis are the mystics of Islam. They are not a separate group, but practice their mysticism in addition to the usual observances. Sufi thinkers see spiritual discipline as a way to ultimate enlightenment, but to achieve this enlightenment, it is necessary to die to the self and life entirely to God. (2)

A Reading from Songs of Kabir

THE moon shines in my body, but my blind eyes cannot see it:
The moon is within me, and so is the sun.
The unstruck drum of Eternity is sounded within me; but my deaf ears cannot hear it.
So long as man clamours for the I and the Mind, his works are as naught:
When all love of the I and the Mine is dead, then the work of the Lord is done.
For work has no other aim than the getting of knowledge:
When that comes, then work is put away.

http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sok/sokoo.htm

MUSIC - Jennifer Keeney, flute


The Qur'an itself insists on the equality of men and women. Women may keep their own name when they marry and retain the right to independent ownership of her own property, which she may dispose of as she wishes. Although women have the right to inherit property, she only receives one-half portion that a man inherits. This is believed to be fair as she keeps her own wealth that she brings into her marriage, as well as her husband's need for the resources to support h is family. There is no legal hindrance to women seeking a profession or work outside the home. Contrary to the teachings of the Qur'an, many Muslim cultures continue to dominate women. Cultural norms that are not Islamic in origin (the seclusion of women, moral double standards, and customs of dress) as well as more strict interpretation of the Qur'an are used to justify this domination. (2)

A Reading from the Qur'an, Sura 4: Women; 1, 34

l. O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them twain hath spread abroad a multitude of men and women. Be careful of your duty toward Allah in Whom ye claim (your rights) of one another, and toward the wombs (that bare you). Lo! Allah hath been a watcher over you.

34. Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beads apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High, Exalted, Great.

Music - Jennifer Keeney, flute

All Muslims, men as well as women, are expected to dress modestly. This takes many different forms in Muslim societies around the world. Usually this means loose fitting clothing for men with the addition of the veil for women. The veil is a symbol of a woman's inviolability, respectability and modesty. In countries such as Iran, the Sudan, and Afghanistan, wearing the veil is enforced by law. Other countries such as Turkey and Tunisia either prohibit wearing religious clothing in public or fight enforcement of wearing the veil. Women in many Arabian countries have worn the veil for centuries and are completely accustomed to it. The Qur'anic ideal is that women should wear a veil any time they leave their homes. (1)

A Reading from the Qur'an, Sura 24: The Light; 30-31

30. Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them. Lo! Allah is aware of what they do.

31. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands or fathers or husbands' fathers, or their sons or their husbands' sons, or their brothers or their brother's sons or sisters' sons, or their women, or their slaves, or male attendants who lack vigour, or children who know naught of women's nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn until Allah together, O believers, in order that ye may succeed.

Music - Jennifer Keeney, flute

The concept of "jihad" or "holy war" is explained by Muslims as being the struggle that takes places within an individuals soul to conquer the temptation to choose evil over good. This is referred to as the "great jihad". The "lesser jihad" is what takes place when the body of Islam itself is under attack. The Qur'an calls Islam the religion of peace, and terrorism is expressly prohibited. The vast majority of Muslims find acts of wholesale destruction and the killing of innocent men, women and children detestable. (2,3)

A Reading from the Qur'an, Sura 60: She Who Is Tested; 5-9

5. Our Lord! Make us not a prey for those who disbelieve, and forgive us, our Lord! Lo! Thou, only Thou, are the Mighty, the Wise.
6. Verily ye have in them a goodly pattern for everyone who looketh to Allah and the Last Day. And whosoever may turn away, lo! still Allah, He is the Absolute, the Owner of Praise.
7. It may be that Allah will ordain love between you and those of them with whom ye are at enmity. Allah is Mighty and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
8. Allah forbiddeth you not those who warred not against you on account of religion and drove you not our from your homes, that ye should show them kindness and deal justly with them. Lo! Allah loveth the just dealers.
9. Allah forbiddeth you only those who warred against you on account of religion and have driven you out from your homes and helped to drive you out, that ye make friends of them. Whosoever maketh friends of them - (All) such are wrong-doers.


(1) Chebel, Malek, Symbols of Islam, Assouline Publishing, New York, 2000.
(2) Marston Speight, God is One: The Way of Islam, Friendship Press, New York, 2001
(3) J.A.Ibrahim, A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam, Darussalam Publishers, Houston, TX 1997.

Music - Jennifer Keeney, flute

A Reading from the Gospel of Mary Magdalene

1) When Mary had said this, she fell silent, since it was to this point that the Savior had spoken with her.
2) But Andrew answered and said to the brethren, Say what you wish to say about what she has said. I at least do not believe that the Savior said this. For certainly these teachings are strange ideas.
3) Peter answered and spoke concerning these same things.
4) He questioned them about the Savior: Did He really speak privately with a woman and not openly to us? Are we to turn about and all listen to her? Did He prefer her to us?
5) Then Mary wept and said to Peter, My brother Peter., what do you think? Do you think that I have thought this up myself in my heart, or that I am lying about the Savior?
6) Levi answered and said to Peter, Peter you have always been hot tempered.
7) Now I see you contending against the women like the adversaries.
8) But if the Savior made her worthy, who are you indeed to reject her? Surely the Savior knows her very well.
9) That is why He loved her more than us. Rather let us be ashamed and put on the perfect Man, and separate as He commanded us and preach the gospel, not laying down any other rule or other law beyond what the Savior said.
10) And when they heard this they began to go forth to proclaim and to preach.

http://www.gnosis.org/library/maryagosp.htm

Call to Conversation

Closing Music - Jennifer Keeney, flute


We ask for your comments/thoughts to continue our Sunday conversation.