Asil Asfour Essays (2586 words) - Islam, Religion, Theism

Asil Asfour Professor Spevack Introduction to Quran 17 December 2017 Final Exam: The Story of Mary (Maryam) The Issues that Pertain to Mary: The Quran dictates clear rules and Fiqh (law) concerning social issues, which influence the formation of social norms and principles that believers abide by (Dakake, 1785). Islamic rulings or expectations, known as Islam, are included in the three dimensions of Islam, which believers are expected to follow. The family is the foundation of Islamic society, and marriage is the foundation of family life (Dakake, 1785). The Quran states that Allah created all things in pairs (16:72; 43:12; 51:49) and that for each being Allah created a "mate" or "spouse" (zawj) (as cited in Dakake, 1785), which supports the concept that only Allah is One. Fiqh is concerned with practices that will uphold tranquility in Islamic societies. In the context of Mary, Allah had "Chosen thee and purified thee, and has chosen thee above the women of the worlds" (3:42). When reading the story of Mary, it becomes clear that she bore Jesus, but remained unmarried throughout her lifetime. If Allah considered her to b e an example to all Islamic women, why does she never satisfy her obligation to marry? It is common to find that Western Academia tends to support the notion that women are suppressed in Islam. In The Exegetical Traditions of Aisha written by Aisha Geissinger found that contemporary studies of prominent women within religious groups can achieve their status as a result of their connection to powerful or holy men (2004:2). In Islam, exegetical traditions construct "an ideal model of life for all Muslim women [is] based on quiet domesticity; modest comportment, indeed, invisibility through veiling . . . wifely obedience'" (Geissinger:2). Geissinger cites a claim made by Prophet Mohamed that supports the notion that women are intellectually deficient: " . . . I have not seen anyone more deficient in acl and faith than you [women]. A wise and judicious man could be led astray by one of you . . .'" (Rippin, 1988; as cited in Geissinger 2004:13). These ideas lead many to believe the notion that women in Islam are expected to be submissive to men, and are of lower status to m en due to their lack of power and intelligence. In surat Al-Imran (3:36), it writes, "God knows best what she bore, and the male is not like the female, and I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge for her in Thee, and for her progeny, from Satan the outcast.'" As mentioned in the Quranic commentary, many interpret this verse as connoting the superiority of the female, in that although Hannah (Anne), Mary's mother, was expecting a male, Allah chose to give her a female child (Nasr 2015:141). The surat continues by saying Allah "accepted her with a beautiful acceptance" (3:37), meaning that the apparent differences of male and females are irrelevant in the eyes of Allah. This idea goes against common ideology of women in Islam. The Quran is considered an integral whole and all its verses in each chapter (surah) are coherent and cohesive, but not linear. This means some of the scripture in the Quran is presented that is zanni al-dalalah (verses can be interpreted in multiple ways). In the story of Mary, Tafsir bi-l-riwaya is essential in understanding the purpose of multiple references of Mary being approached by jinn about bearing a child (3:45-47; 19:19-21). When analyzing these ayat chronologically, it seems as though Mary finding out that she will be have Jesus happens twice. An angel sent by Allah informs Mary that Allah is able to do all things (3:47). Similarly, Angel Gabriel is sent by Allah to present himself before Mary to inform her of the birth of Jesus (19:19). In both instances, Mary is in awe that she will be bearing a child without her engaging in acts of her being unchaste (3:47; 19:20). Why does this situation occur twice in the Quran? Why is Mary surprised in both instances? In addition to Mary being approached by jinn in multiple occasions, there are discrepancies in how many jinn approached her. In 3:45, the Quran says, "When the angels said, O Mary, truly God gives thee glad tidings of a

Chicano essays

Chicano essays In the film Bordertown (1950) there are many issues that are present from a Chicanos point of view. The misrepresentation of Chicanos can be seen from the very beginning to the very end of the film. The role of Johnny Ramirez, the protagonist of Bordertown (1950) was portrayed by the famous, but nonetheless Caucasian Paul Muni. This is an example of one of the problems emphatically brought up by Charles Ramirez Berg, regarding the male Chicano protagonist, they are portrayed by non-Chicanos, when a Chicano can be found to portray the role. This shows that audience could not see a very successful man without somehow relating his success to his actual ethnicity, Caucasian. This helps society cope with the ever changing melting-pot, which is our society in fact. Berg also states that the absence of a father in Chicano films, such as Bordertown (1950), is typical and quite disturbing. The father's absence in Chicano films is almost always unexplained so the character personality could never be complete because he does not have a role model. The son has no knowledge why he behaves the way he does or likes the things he likes, he is forever living an unsatisfied and sometimes troubled life. The most significant and troubling issue is stated by Berg as "the absence of the Chicana." The Chicana is never a major figure unless she is playing the role of a mother. The Chicana is seen as a mediocre part of life and is never given a role of power. Caucasian women are usually given the roles of power and assertiveness to portray a special type of women, while Chicanas are given roles as mothers, housekeepers, and girlfriends. ...

Film An Inconvenient Truth Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Film An Inconvenient Truth - Movie Review Example In the film, Gore also jokes that he "used to be the next president of the United States of America." (An Inconvenient Truth) This writer believes that the film has the intention to raise awareness on global warming, and the inclusion of a politician in controversial circumstances (due to the 2000 presidential election) provides the platform to draw in audiences. The artistic flow of the film is intentionally written to document Al Gore's personal encounters as well as the evidence behind the scientific findings. The film also attempts to explain climate change using a number of major claims. For the purpose of this paper the writer will look into two of these claims: (1) the doubling in numbers of category four and five hurricanes in the last thirty years; (2) as temperatures rise, heat waves will be more frequent and intense. While science can be refuted, as can the claims made in the film, this writer believes that the way the claims are presented is able to convince anyone without any scientific background that the idea of global warming does indeed exist.