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Islam

Gain a deep understanding of Islam, its core beliefs and practices, major sects, interfaith relationships, and contemporary issues such as women's roles and the intersection of Islam and politics.
Number of lessons: 24
Total length: 16 hours and 30 minutes
Format: Audio
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About This Class

In this course, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of Islam, its origins, and its core beliefs and practices. You'll explore the Five Pillars of Islam, the Qur'an, and the Hadith, and learn about the major Islamic sects, including Sunni, Shi'a, and Sufism. The class will also discuss Islam's relationship with Christianity and Judaism, highlighting the importance of interfaith dialogue. Finally, you'll delve into contemporary issues in Islam, such as the role of women, Islamic law and human rights, and the interaction between Islam and politics.

 

Other Recommended Reading: 

The Koran, N.J. Dawood, trans., Penguin Books, 1983

Islam: The Straight Path, 5th edition, John L. Esposito, Oxford University Press, 2016

The Word of Islam, J. Alden Williams, University of Texas Press, 1984

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About the Professor

Timothy Tennent

Dr. Timothy Tennent, the Methodist Chair of Divinity at Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School, previously served 15 years as president of Asbury Theological Seminary. A former professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Tennent is an ordained Methodist pastor and global conference speaker. Tennent is the author of several books on theology and missions. He and his wife, Julie, have two adult children and are actively involved in ministry.

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Timothy Tennent

Lessons

  • 1. Introduction to Islam

    Islam is based on teachings in the Qur'an. Knowing the teachings of Islam helps us to understand the uniqueness of the teachings of Christianity and the perspective of Muslims.

  • 2. Pre-Islamic Arabia

    Arabia in the 6th century was a land where traders and raiders lived. Mecca was a city in which many religions were practiced.

  • 3. Early Life and Influences

    In his early life, Muhammad was influenced by Judaism, Christianity and the Hanifs.

  • 4. Revelations, Hegira, Movement

    As Muhammad began telling others about his revelations, he was forced to flee Mecca and went to Medina. After he consolidated his power and influence he returned to Mecca.

  • 5. Revelation

    The text of the Qur'an was revealed directly to Muhammad.

  • 6. Creation, Anthropology, Cosmos

    The Qur'an has passages that teach about both practical and spiritual aspects of daily life. The world was created in six days and there will be a culmination of events at the end of the age.

  • 7. Pillars 1 & 2

    The first two pillars of the Muslim faith are the confession of faith (Shahadah), and ritual prayer (Salat).

  • 8. Pillar 3 & 4

    Almsgiving (Zakat) and fasting (Sawm) are the third and fourth pillars of the Islamic faith.

  • 9. Pillar 5

    Pilgrimage (Hajj) is the fifth pillar of Islam.

  • 10. Islam as a "Missionary" Religion

    Da'wah and jihad are two methods that the Qur'an describes for Muslims to approach infidels.

  • 11. Muhammed and Caliphs

    After Muhammad's death in 632 AD, he was succeeded by the four "rightly guided caliphs."

  • 12. Shi'a, Sunni and Sufism

    The split between the Sunni and Shi'a groups began when there was a disagreement over who should succeed Muhammad after he died. Sufi Islam is the mystical expression of Islam and could be compared to the monastic movement in Christianity.

  • 13. Role of Tradition

    Many Muslims consider the Hadith an important source of information for guidance in how to live their lives.

  • 14. The Islamic Sharia

    Sharia is Islamic religious law which regulates both public and private aspects of life.

  • 15. Schools of Law

    Different groups within the Sunni and Shia traditions have various perspectives on how the teachings in the Qur'an and Hadith should be interpreted and applied.

  • 16. Sufism and Sufi Orders

    Sufi Muslims are more contemplative, mystical, individualistic, syncretistic, and non-legalistic than someone who is an orthodox Muslim.

  • 17. Introduction, Hausa, Tiv

    Folk Islam is a popular expression of Islam which has synthesized indigenous beliefs and customs into the religion. Folk Islam is a popular expression of Islam which has synthesized indigenous beliefs and customs into the religion. Two expressions of this in Nigeria are the Hausa and Tiv.

  • 18. Yoruba, Maguzawa, Key Observations

    Folk Islam is a popular expression of Islam which has synthesized indigenous beliefs and customs into the religion. Two expressions of this in Nigeria are the Yoruba and Maguzawa.

  • 19. Introduction, Titles and Life

    The Qur'an contains a description of Jesus' life and ministry.

  • 20. Death, Resurrection and Deity

    The description in the Qur'an of Jesus' death, resurrection and deity are different than that of the Bible.

  • 21. Biblical/Theological Issues

    Islam does not teach the doctrine of the Trinity.

  • 22. Cultural Issues

    Islam has clear teachings in cultural areas such as the significance of beards, acceptable types of clothing, behavior and acceptable clothing for females, and food and dietary restrictions.

  • 23. The Christian Community in an Islamic Context

    In order to make it easier for Muslims to understand and accept the message of the gospel, Christians can approach them with the assumption that they probably misunderstand the Gospel, that the number one stumbling block for Muslims is Christianity, and that the most effective approach is Jesus plus nothing.

  • 24. Islamic Apologetics Surveyed

    Comparison of teachings of Christianity and Islam.

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