Read Journeys, chapter 2

Read Dialogue, chapters 1, 13

3.1: The Christian context

3.2: The Jewish context

3.3: The Jahiliyya and the Hanif contexts

Questions: For each of the assigned readings from Journeys related to each topic, select one question at the end of the chapter and write a one-page essay on that topic. Also be prepared to discuss in class any of the questions. For example, in chapter 2 of Journeys, there are eight questions. Write an essay on one of those questions and come to class ready to discuss any of the eight questions.

Four ways that Arabian culture at the time of Muhammad formed the context in which the Ummah (Muslim community) developed:

1. Christian context

1.1 The Christian environment

Yemen

Ethiopia

Egypt

Palestine

Syria

Edessa

Persia

1.2 Christian controversies

Arianism

Nestorianism

1.3 The Church in mission

1.4 The legacy of Constantine

1.5 The yearning for a book from God among Arabian people

1.6 The Christians in Arabia before the time of Muhammad referred to God Almighty as Allah. So the name Allah for God did not originate with Muhammad, but rather was in common use by Christians in the sixth century.

2. The Jewish context

2.1 Elohim: the God of Abraham

2.2 Torah and Quran

2.3 Talmud and Shari’ah

2.4 A place for worship

2.5 Direction for worship

3. The Jahiliyya context

3.1 The polytheists

3.2 The Ka’bah

4. The hanif context

4.1 The hanif and Allah

4.2 The hanif and Muhammad