Sources of Authority in Islam
Essential Question:
What are the Sources of Authority in Islam?
WHY: to understand what governs the beliefs and actions of
Muslims in daily life
HOW:
1. Sources of Authority PPT and Notes
2. Connections?
3. Empire of Faith: Contributions of Islam
4. Reading: The Arab Table
TURN IN:
HW: Finish Cornell Notes on The Arab Table reading
Sources of Authority in Islam
Qur’an – Sacred text (God’s words)
Hadith – Sayings of the Prophet
Sunna – Behaviors of the Prophet
The Qur'an
al-qur’an (Koran)

Means “a recitation”






Most recited book in the world
Divided into 114 chapters (Surahs)
Proclaimed in Arabic
The words of the Qur’an came to Muhammad over the
course of 23 years
Large portions memorized in childhood so it regulates
the interpretation and evaluation of every event for a
Muslim.
“It is not about the truth: it is the truth.”

Rather than placing meaning on events, it is a record of Allah’s
direct pronouncements.
Surah 1 – Al-Fatiha (The Opening of the Qur’an)
In The name of God, the Compassionate,
The Merciful
All praise is for God, the Lord of all
domains of existence,
The Compassionate, the Merciful,
Master of the Day of Judgment.
Thee alone do we serve, and Thee alone
do we ask for help.
Show us the straight path,
The path of those whom Thou hast blest
–
(Of those) who have never incurred Thy
displeasure, and have not gone
astray.
Discussion Questions
1. What does this
chapter say about
the nature of God?
(How does it
describe God?)
2.
What does it say
about the
relationship between
God and people?
Hadith: Sayings of the Prophet

Examples:

“Whoever suppresseth his anger, when he hath in his
power to show it, God will give him a great reward.”
“The exercise of religious duties will not atone for the
fault of an abusive tongue.”
“Trust in God, but tether your camel”
“The acquisition of knowledge is a duty incumbent on
every Muslim, male and female.”
“The ink of the scholar is more holy than the blood of the
martyr.”




Sunna: Examples of the Prophet

Examples:

Dress: wear clean, neat clothing – not brightly
colored.
The specific method of prayer.
Don’t eat garlic (or other pungent food) when
you know you’ll be in a closed space – mosque
for example.
Look people in the eyes when you talk to them.
Cover for people’s flaws



