Welcome to Dr. Elzeiny Islamic Studies Class

1.    This is a site for translation of the Holy Quran using easy English.

2.    This is a site for Meaning of Quran in Pictures.

3.   Books about the Names of Allah [Book 1] [Book 2] [Brief Meanings]

Choose for yourself. Where would you like to live?

 

 

Table of Contents

Lesson [1]: Our Enemies.

 

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Homework:

Part I: If you have not done this already, send me an email to hw@zeiny.net telling me about yourself. What you want me to know about you. It is very confidential. I will not share it with anyone. If you are using your parent’s email, you may print it out and give to me in person. Please include a picture of yourself in the email. You can take a selfie picture of yourself and email it to me.

Part II: Listen to the audio recording of the class, read the notes below and answer the following questions thoroughly. Short answers are not accepted. You must send me the homework via email hw@zeiny.net

1.     Why did Allah create?

2.    Why didn’t he create just angels and trees that will cause no corruption?

3.    Who are our four enemies (evil motives). Give examples.

4.    Why did Allah create the Shytan and his other enemies?

5.    If there is no meanness, would kindness exist? Explain why?

6.    Can we have a free will if we don’t have evil motives? Give an example of a creation of Allah that has no evil motives at all. Are they being tested?

7.    What are the tests of submission? Explain and give examples.

8.    Temptations are evil motives. Give five examples of evil temptations.

9.    After the Shytan starts the temptations, would he be able to make it grow? Explain.

10. If no one can avoid the startup of temptations in his/her heart, how can we fight temptations then?

11. Mention the story of the man who was transformed to a monster due to temptations.

12. What are the good motives? Give couple of illustrative examples of each.

13. Why does Allah allow evil, pain and suffering?

14. Why did people worship middle Gods? Explain how worshiping middle Gods would cause you to be taking disadvantage of.

15. When Allah said to the bad guys to pay charity, what did they say? How can you respond?

16. If you make a mistake, is there a way out of it? What is the story of the person who killed 100 people?

17. What are the mistakes that can’t be forgiven with repentance?

18. What are the mistakes that can’t be forgiven without repentance?

19. If you made a mistake and Allah forgave you and you made the mistake again, would he forgive you? When would Allah stop forgiving you?

20. If you made a mistake and Allah forgave you and you made the mistake again, would Allah cancel his previous forgiveness?

21. When bad people are asked to give charity to the poor and needy, they reply and say that we are not going to feed them. Allah is the one that should feed them not us.  How would you reply to this argument?

Notes:

Lesson [2]: The Knowledge of Allah.

 

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Homework:

Listen to the audio recording of the class, read the notes below and answer the following questions thoroughly. Short answers are not accepted. You must send me the homework via email hw@zeiny.net

Allah knows everything that happen and would happen in the future. Allah guides whom so ever he wills and misguides whom so ever he wills. Allah seals the ears of the bad guys so that they can’t hear the truth. Allah blinds their eyes so that they can’t see the truth. Allah locked their hearts from understanding the truth. Allah already wrote everything that will happen in a book.

1.    If this is the case, then how come we have freedom of choice.

2.    He already wrote our deeds. We have no choice. How come he is punishing the wrong doers.

3.    Allah doesn’t want to guide me. It is not my fault. How do you reply to that ridiculous argument?

4.    How can I know your answer ahead of time without forcing you to follow my answer?

5.    What is the opposite of the statement "Allah guides whom so ever he wants and misguides whomsoever he wants". Prove that the opposite doesn't make any sense.

6.    The names of Allah (الأول) means the first without start and the twin name of this name is (الآخر) which means the last without end. Explain this in terms of time. Use the example of the story board.

7.    Explain how Allah controls the time and he does not change or age with time.

8.    On the other hand, he made the time able to age everything else. Elaborate on the previous statement and use that to explain how Allah contains time and everything else is contained in time.

9.    Mention the story of Omer RA with the guy who was arguing that he stole because it is the decree of Allah and it is not his fault. What was the reply of Omer RA?

10. Is our will superior to Allah's will? The following Ayat in Surat Al-Takweer [29:28-29] have the answer. Explain them.

11. The knowledge of Allah is surrounding knowledge. What does that mean?

 

Notes:

 

 

Lesson [3]: The Name of Allah Al-Wakeel (The One we depend on) Part 1

 

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Homework:

Listen to the audio recording of the class, read the notes below and answer the following questions thoroughly. Short answers are not accepted. You must send me the homework via email hw@zeiny.net

1.     What is the meaning of the name Al-Wakeel

2.    Since we cannot expect Allah to vacuum your carpet and wash your dishes, then how do you depend on Allah in both of these tasks?

3.    How do you reply to the one who says "If I do my part, then there is nothing left for Allah to do".

4.    Explain the word "Tawfeeq توفيق".  Who does control Tawfeeq?

5.    Explain the probability of failure?

6.    Mention the story of tying the camel and how did Prophet Mohamed comment on this?

7.    How do you reply to the ones who say "I tied the camel, what is left for Allah to do"?

8.     How do I depend on Allah to heal my sicknesses?

9.    What did Omar Ibn Al-khatab say regarding the people who stayed in the Masjid claiming that they depend on Allah to bring them sustenance? Explain?

10. The engineer who built Titanic said "Even God cannot sink it". What happened and how did Allah make him fail.

11. Depending on Allah is the job of the heart. Doing your part is the job of the brain and muscles. Explain this sentence with examples.

12. Explain in details the plan of immigration of the Prophet SAW from Macca to Medina.

Notes:

Lesson [4]: The Name of Allah Al-Wakeel (The One we depend on) Part II

   

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Homework:

Listen to the audio recording of the class, read the notes below and answer the following questions thoroughly. Short answers are not accepted. You must send me the homework via email hw@zeiny.net

1.    What is the law of be and it will be? Did Allah create and has been ruling the universe using this law? Explain in details.

2.    If Allah will excuse anyone from using the laws of nature, who would be exempted.

3.    If you study, you pass. Muslim did not study and non-Muslim studied

4.    Who was the woman of the two belts? Why did she get this name? What was her relationship to the Prophet and Abo Bakr? What was her role during the Prophet migration to Madina?

5.    Who was the companion of the Prophet during his immigration?

6.    Who was the person who was spying on the Arab Lords? How? What was his relationship to Abo Baker Al-Sidiq?

7.    Who was the guy that was trying to capture the Prophet SAW for a prize? What was his name? And what was the prize? The Prophet promised his something. What was it? Why did the Prophet promise him? When did this promise become true, i.e. after what battle?

8.    What is the meaning of the word desperate? How is it related to this subject, which is how to depend on Allah?

9.    When does Allah help you with unseen soldiers? How do you qualify for them?

10. How many times the Prophet SAW plan of Higra failed and what were the unseen soldier that Allah helped him with? Explain in details.

11. Why did Allah make the Prophet follow the laws of nature in his immigration to Madian but in the night journey he gave him the miraculous animal called Al-Borak? Why? What is the difference between both the night journey and the Higra?

12. Allah sent fruit basket from Jannah to Mariam when she was in her room worshiping Allah. After giving birth to Prophet Isa, why did Allah ask her to shake the palm tree to get dates to eat and did not provide her with a fruit basket from Jannah?

13. What happened to the 40 guys that were surrounding the house of the Prophet SAW? What did the Prophet do to them before he leaves? Why?

14. What is the name of the cave where is the Prophet was hiding in? Why did he hide and did not go straight to Makah?

15. Why did the Prophet saw hire a guide man? When did he meet with this man?

16. Failure to plan is a plan to fail. Explain this statement and how is it related to the subject of how to depend on Allah?

Notes:

Lesson [5]: Sweet and Sour Mercy

 

 

 

 

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Homework:

Listen to the audio recording of the class, read the notes below and answer the following questions thoroughly. Short answers are not accepted. You must send me the homework via email hw@zeiny.net

1.     Mention the story of Prophet Mosa and the Righteous slave of Allah. Hint use Quran 18:60-82

2.    What are the two types of knowledge? Explain.

3.    What are the two types of mercy?

4.    In the first event, which was damaging the boat, who was the one who made the decision? Which type is this mercy?

5.    In the second event, which was killing the boy, who was the one who made the decision? Which type is this mercy?

6.    In the third event, which was fixing the wall of a ruined house, who was the one who made the decision? Which type is this mercy?

7.    Explain how is that you may pray for something, which is bad for you, or hate something, which is good for you. Give few examples.

8.    Mention few lessons that you learned from the story.

9.    When something bad happens to you, are you allowed to feel sad and cry? You should change your sadness to what?

10. When something good happens to you, are you allowed to feel joy and happiness? You should change your Happiness to what?

11. When you are worried, you should change your worry to what?

Notes:

 

 

Lesson [6]: Pillars of Faith - Believe in Allah - Part I.

 

 

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Homework:

Listen to the audio recording of the class, read the notes below and answer the following questions thoroughly. Short answers are not accepted. You must send me the homework via email hw@zeiny.net

1.      About the example of the people who live in 2D, can we see them? Can they see all of us? What would they see if you place your finger in their 2D plane? Use the metaphor of the people who live in 2D to show that we are being seen and accessed from higher dimensions.

2.      Do we see everything in existence? Mention few examples of things that exit but we don’t see them.

3.      Mention the Hadith where Angle Gabriel came to the Prophet and mentioned to him the pillars of Islam, Pillars of Faith and Ihsan. Write only the part that mentions the pillars of faith.

4.      What did Allah give us so that we can see him by our brains? What do we have to understand the nature of Allah? Explain.

5.      How many names Allah has given us? How many names Allah has overall? Write the Hadeeth that proves your statement?

6.      What are the two worlds that we have? To which one Allah, his angels and life after? What world that we live in now? To which world belong the things that we can feel using any of the five senses?

7.      From an Islamic perspective, what is the difference between to know and to believe? Use the example of the furnace.

8.      When the angels ask you the three questions right after death, how come you can't lie and give the correct answers?

9.      Is lying more difficult or saying the truth?

10.   Lying takes a lot of brain work and good memory.  Mention the joke of the teacher who quizzed the four students about the flat tire.

11.   Compare the punishment in the grave with nightmares.

12.   Compare the joy in the grave with sweet dreams.

13.   If you want to torture someone in this life, which part (Body or Soul) you can apply the torture non? How about in the grave? How about in Hell fire?

Notes:

Notes from Previous Years:

Lesson [7]: Pillars of Faith - Believe in Allah - Part II.

 

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Homework:

Listen to the audio recording of the class, read the notes below and answer the following questions thoroughly. Short answers are not accepted. You must send me the homework via email hw@zeiny.net

1.    How much of the earth population deny the exitance of Allah?

2.    Brief describe trinity and how does it relate to the Islamic realization of Allah?

3.    What is monotheism in Quantity and Quality? Explain.

4.    Allah is One and is a Unit. Explain/

5.    How does Surat Al-Ikhlas present the image of Allah? In other words, how is Allah described himself in the Surat Al-Ikhlas?

6.    Does the Arabic bible use the name Allah to describe God? What is the significance of this?

7.    What is the meaning of that if there is someone up there, let him touch my back?

8.    Why do atheist people go to the extreme of denying the presence of God?

9.    The example of the ship that leaves India and reach New York. How does this example affirm the presence of God?

10. What is the meaning of the statement “God did not create man. Man created God”?

11. Explain how is the Christian religion was used as a slave mind management system? What was the response of the smart slaves?

12. Why does Allah allow evil to happen?

13. Tell the joke about selling parts of the paradise by the church in the old days.

14. Explain the Islamic views of the theory of evolution. Does Islam reject the entire theory?

15. Why the racist people draw monkeys to describe black people? How does this relate to the theory of evolution?

16. Explain how theory of evolution (Darwin’s theory) would justify the killing of humans.

17. What is the Arian race? Who promoted its superiority over all other races? Explain the disaster that resulted from that.

18. In the incident of the woman who forgot her children in the garage where the door is closed and the engine is running, what is the first lesson she was taught in the grief management classes? How is this lesson related to the existence of Allah?

19. When we see beautiful painting of nature, how does this make us feel about the artist and Allah?

20. If every company has a president and every country has a chief, how is this fact related to the presence of Allah?

21. What is the name of the people who just ignore the presence of Allah? Briefly describe the religion of Buddhism.

22. Explain logically why does the fact that has faith would do more charity than the society that doesn’t have faith.

Lesson [8]: Pillars of Faith - Believe in Angels.

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 Homework:

Listen to the audio recording of the class and answer the following questions thoroughly. Short answers are not accepted. You must email me the homework via email hw@zeiny.net

1.    Why is it not appropriate to Allah to do all tasks by himself? Give examples of tasks that it is not appropriate for Him to do.

2.    What is the Royal way of getting something done?

3.    Body of energy made of what? Can they take the form of humans? Did Gibril came to the Prophet in a form of a man? What was the man look like?

4.    In the Hadith of Pillars of faith, the Hadith that we are studying now, who was talking to the Prophet?

5.    Angels don’t ever disobey Allah? Why?

6.    Do angels go to hell or heaven?

7.    Because of the coupling between our bodies and souls, the body is limiting the soul. Explain that statement in details.

8.    What happen when we die, are we going to be limited to the five senses? Are we going to be able to see the world of unseen? Explain in details.

9.    Give an example of how Jinn and angels can go through walls.

10. Complete: In order for Jinn to be seen by us, they have to ............, and they will be controlled by our laws of ....................

11. What is the interface between the body and the soul? How can the soul control the body? How can you split them apart so that you don't feel the pain during surgery?

12. Mention the names and the role of 11 angels. of different angels doing different tasks.

13. The wandering angels. Don’t enter a house that has a dog or picture. Don’t attend a lecture or a talk where a woman is not wearing proper hijab.

14. What is the job of the Guardian Angels? Do they do their job with both good and bad guys or only good guys?

15. Describe the Shytan’s access to us? Can he have physical access to us?

16. Regarding he angels on the right and left, who is in charge of the other? Why?

Notes:

Lesson [9]: Pillars of Faith - Believe in the Books, the Prophets the Day of Judgment and the Qadar

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 Homework:

Listen to the audio recording of the class and answer the following questions thoroughly. Short answers are not accepted. You must email me the homework

Faith in Books and Prophets:

1.    What is the difference between a Prophet and Messenger? Explain how that the messenger is sent to non-believers but the Prophet is sent to believers. Explain in details.

2.    Since no more Prophets will be sent, Allah substituted the Prophet with what? Explain how and why?

3.    Did each Prophet teach the same faith about Allah? Why? Explain.

4.    Each Messenger came with different Sharia laws. Give three examples of differences between the Sharia laws of the Messengers.

5.    Explain why the three heavenly religions teach that the only acceptable religion and way of life is their version of religion. What would happen if they don’t teach that?

6.    Who are the people of the book? Explain do we consider them the best Non-Muslims.

7.    Because Prophets are teachers, what do they need to teach from?

8.    What are the benefits of having books (scriptures) while the Prophets are alive? What is the use of these books after the Prophets die?

9.    All books now have been changed due to translations and manipulations except the Quran. Why did Allah declare that he will be guard the Quran from being lost, manipulate it or changed until the Day of Judgment?

10. Explain the telephone game and how it affected the authenticity of previous scriptures?

Belief in the Day of Judgment:

1.    If there is no day of judgment, then good guys and bad guys end up equal. Explain how they are the same. Is it fair?

2.    If there is no day of judgment, then it will make no sense for us to fight our temptations and lower desires. Explain why.

3.    What would you say about a judge who makes good guys equal to bad guys? How this is related to belief in the Day of Judgment?

4.    What are the three spiritual motivations that will motivate someone wake up very early in the morning and go to Fajr?

5.    How many rounds we have? The true winner is the one who wins which one of them? Explain.

6.    Prove logically that the society that has faith gives more charity than the society that doesn’t have faith.

Belief in the Qadar:

1.    Who has been writing our books when we were children? What happens as you grow older?

2.    Allah knows about what we will be written in our books. How do you reconcile this with the fact that we are writing our own books and that we have the freedom to write them?

3.    What are the decisions that have been made by Allah and we have no choice over? Can we question Allah, reject or change any of these decisions?

4.    What is the story of the parents who accidently left their children to die in the garage due to carbon dioxide coming out of their running car? What did they do after the accident to be able to handle with the harsh reality? 

5.    In the grief management classes, what is the first thing they teach? How is that related to the sixth pillar of faith in Islam?

6.    Why bad things may happen to good people? Isn’t it cruel to make good people suffer? Relate to the story of Musa (AS) and the righteous slave, ruining the boat and killing the boy.

7.    The righteous slave represents the Qadar of Allah. Explain.

8.    What is the wisdom behind Muslims getting defeated in the second round of the battle of Uhud? What would happen if the defeat didn’t take place?

9.    Some people are born with all the fame and wealth they need, while others are deprived? Are we born to equal rights? Are we born to equal opportunities?  Who controls the distribution of wealth?

10. If our share of wealth, health and whatnot, were pre- assigned. Then what is our role in obtaining them? Explain and mention the story of the camel of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (RAA).

Lesson [9A]: Pillars of Islam – After Faith, there is No Deity Except Allah and Mohamed is His Messenger Must be Established First Before any Thing else.

 

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 Homework:

Listen to the audio recording of the class and answer the following questions thoroughly. Short answers are not accepted. You must email me the homework.

1.   What is the difference between the 6 pillars of faith and the 5 pillars of worship? Which one must come first?

2.   Prophet Mohamed was the most loved and respected by his people. He was Al-Amin (the most trust worth) and then he became the most despised and the most liar who lies about God himself. Why? What happened?

3.   Why did the Arab lords reject La Ilah Ila Allah and Mohamed is Rasol Allah?

4.   How many years the Prophet SAW lived? How many years was he a Prophet? How many years in Makkah? How many years in Al-Madina? What was the purpose of the Makkah era and what was the purpose of Al-Madina period?

5.   What is the difference between the Ayat of the Quran that was revealed in Makkah and the ones that was revealed in Al-Madina?

6.   Using the metaphor of building a foundation, which one comes first removal of the dirt or establishment of foundation? How is this related to the topic?

7.   Did La Ila Allah come first or the moral values, or the rules of Halal and Haram? What did Aisha RA said about obeying the rules of dos and don'ts? Were these rules come first or last? Why?

8.   How many easier ways the Prophet SAW could have used to establish Islam? Summarize all of them. Explain how the intended objective of each way was achieved after the establishment of {La Ilaha Ila Allah. Mohamed Rasool Allah}.

 

Notes:

 

Click here for the written notes.

Lesson [9B]: Pillars of Islam – Salah, Zakah, Fasting and Haj.

 

 

 

 

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1.    What are the tests of Islam (tests of submission)? Why are we being given these tests? Explain how Ramadan is a test to us.

2.    Using the example of a father who sent his son to study in a faraway college, explain the following:

a.     Concept of Salah? What is the phone number you need to call on Allah?

b.    Concept of laws of nature? Who to thank for the check? How is that relevant to the law of nature?

c.     Evolution? hint I have no father or mother.

3.    Describe the remembrance of Allah curve with time to show the relationship between prayers and the remembrance of Allah.

4.    Focusing in the prayer as a problem. In what case it would be forgiven and in what case it will not?

5.    What is the name of the Shytan who’s job is to make people unable to focus during the prayer?

6.    Mention he joke about the guy who insisted that the Imam prayed Duhur two Raka instead four Raka?

7.    What do we mean by the spiritual muscles? How is this related to Ramadan?

8.    Why Ramadan is a training camp? Mention four of the most important benefits of fasting Ramadan (the ones mentioned in class).

9.    What is the Hadith Qudsy and how is it different than regular Hadith or Quran?

10. (Optional) In the Hadith Qudsy, Allah said that all the worship of the children of Adam to him except fasting it is to me and I am the one who would reward for it. Explain the meaning of this Hadith.

11. If people convert their cash money into other forms (like diamond for example) for the purpose of evading Zakah. Would they be exempted from this Zahah or what?

12. Mention the rules of Zahat of cash, gold and other valuable things.

13. Mention the rule of Zakah for farming for both cases of irrigation (by rain or by effort).

14. Mention the rules of the Zahah for oil and other mines.

15. Regarding paying Zakah on jewelry, boats, cars and homes. In what situation do we have to pay Zakah on them and in what situation we don’t have to pay Zakah on them.

16. If you loan someone money, do you have to pay Zakah on the loan?

17. What are the lifelong loans, such as mortgage, is it allowed to deduct the loan amount from the Zakatable money?

18. In Surat Yasin 36:47, Allah mentioned that bad people argue that they shouldn’t feed the poor and needy because if Allah wants them to be fed, then he should feed them himself. How do you reply to this argument?

19. Does Allah provide the share of wealth of the poor people directly to them? Explain.

20. Fill the blanks. People travel and go to crowded places for ......................................... Muslims travel to Haj for .........................

21. How come that Allah would let the Masjids, his houses on earth, burn and would let the people doing Haj to his house die?

22. Explain the following diagram

Notes:

Click here for notes.

Lesson [10]: Reply to "Quran Says: Kill them where ever you find them". Does the Quran Really Sanction Violence Against 'Unbelievers'?

 

Defending Islam against Stereotypes.

".

 

Click here to listen to the class.

 

(Optional) See Dr. Yasir Qadhi lecture about modern Jihadist.

(Optional) See Dr. Yasir Qadhi lecture about the Reality of ISIS: Modern Muslim Fundamentalism.

(Optional) See Dr. Yasir Qadhi lecture about Muslims Condemn Terrorism.

(Optional) See Dr. Yasir Qadhi lecture about American Foreign Policy and the Rise of ISIS.

(Optional) See Reply of the Muslim Scholars to the arguments raised by ISIS: Letter in Arabic, Letter in English  and Letter in Other Languages.

 

1.    Regarding the expressions “infidels” and “holy war”. Do they exist in Islam? What were the unbelievers called in . See Surat Al-Kafiron [109].

2.    See Surat Al-Kafiron [109] gives a message of tolerance. How? Explain?

3.    Write Ayat Quran (2:190 to 192) that include the statement "Kill them where ever you find them". Explain the Ayat and then explain the deception of those who quoted this part of Ayah to stereotype Islam.

4.    What were the instructions given by the Prophet saw to the armies before they left to battle?

5.    Quran (5:5) Proves that Islam is very tolerant with other religions. Explain in details.

6.    If Muslim men can marry non-Muslim women, then why Muslim women can't marry non-Muslim men?

7.    Explain the rule in (Quran 60:8-9). Show the tolerance in these Ayat.

8.    Why 911 is considered to be an evil act in Islam? Explain how the name of Islam was hijacked in 911?

9.    Do radicals kill non-Muslims only? Explain. Why do they kill Muslims?

10. Vigilantism is prohibited in Islam. Explain why and relate to 911.

11. We and the people of the book worship the same God  Quran [29:46]. How do we reach to God and how do Christians reach to God?

12. How do we Muslim view trinity?

13. Do Muslims honor Jesus? How is Jesus viewed in religions other than Islam and Christianity?

14. Bin Laden said, it is either with us or you are a hypocrite. George W. Bush said, you are either with us or with the terrorists. Do you agree with these statements? What is your position from these statements?

Notes:

Click here for class notes.

Lesson [11]: Reply to "Muslims are terrorists and Islam is the religion of terror" 

Defending Islam against Stereotypes.

 

 

Click here to listen to the class.

 

(Optional) See Dr. Yasir Qadhi lecture about modern Jihadist.

(Optional) See Dr. Yasir Qadhi lecture about the Reality of ISIS: Modern Muslim Fundamentalism.

(Optional) See Dr. Yasir Qadhi lecture about Muslims Condemn Terrorism.

(Optional) See Dr. Yasir Qadhi lecture about American Foreign Policy and the Rise of ISIS.

(Optional) See Reply of the Muslim Scholars to the arguments raised by ISIS: Letter in Arabic, Letter in English  and Letter in Other Languages.

 

Homework:

The example of Hitler

1.     How do you reply to the ones who say Bin Laden shares the same religion as yours?

2.     What religion was Hitler? How many people did he killed?

3.     Is it right to blame Hitler’s acts on his religion?

4.     Do we need to tell the Cristian people that Hitler doesn’t represent Christianity or they already know that?

5.     Do we need to tell the Cristian people that Bin Laden doesn’t represent Islam or they already know that?

The example of Anti-Abortion Terror

1.     What is the Christian Army of God?

2.     What was its motives?

3.      How many kinds and counts of violence it did?

4.     Was the Christian Army of God motivated by Christianity?

5.     Is it okay to blame Christianity for it? Why or why not?

The example of IRA

1.     What is the IRA? What was its religion?

2.     What did it do to be considered an Army of terror?

3.     What was its motives?

4.     How many kinds and counts of violence it did?

5.     Was the Christian Army of God motivated by Christianity?

6.     Is it okay to blame Christianity for it? Why or why not?

The example of Timothy McVeigh

1.     Who is Timothy McVeigh? What religion he was?

2.     What did McVeigh do? How many were his victims?

3.     What was the motive behind McVeigh acts?

4.     Can we say that McVeigh acts represent America? Why or Why not?

5.     What was the end of McVeigh?

The example of Ku Klux Klan (KKK)

Use information from this link to answer the questions below

1.     What is the KKK? What was its religion?

2.     What was its motives?

3.     How many kinds and counts of violence it did?

4.     Was the KKK motivated by Christianity?

5.     Is it okay to blame Christianity for it? Why or why not?

Other Arguments:

1.     What is the point of mentioning these examples?

2.     All American citizens were hurt once, but we American Muslims were hurt twice. Why? Explain.

3.     When a Muslim commits a crime, the media says a Muslim committed a crime. But when a Christian commit a crime, the media mention the name of the criminal only and no mention of his religion. Why and what have been the motives of the media for doing this?

4.     Mention the joke about the Muslim who saved a little girl from being killed by a dog.

5.     Was the intent of 911 just to damage the building and kill people? What is the other reason, which related to unity? Did the terrorist achieve these objectives?

6.     Who was Saddam Husain? Was it appropriate for the media to go to the Masjid inquire about Sadam Husain and Bin Laden? What is the right place to inquire about them? Why?

7.     Use math to prove that the Al-Qaeda is an extreme radical exception? Would the exception prove the rule to be true or false? Can you have an exception if you don’t have a rule?

6.     Do people who take Islam seriously be considered radicals? Why?

7.     Watch this video about interview of the news to me and my family right after 911 and mention my arguments and concerns, and if you agree or disagree.

8.     Visit this site and write what do you think about what is mentioned. Are all terrorists are Muslims?

9.     (Optional) Who are the ones who carried the largest number of acts of terrorism in US?

10. (Optional) What was the the deadliest act of terrorism within the United States prior to the September 11 attacks?

11. (Optional) Summarize the arguments by President Obama regarding Islam in this video clip.

12. (Optional) In Islam, do we build coalitions based on justice or religion? Do you prefer to have a bad Muslim friend or a good non-Muslim friend?

Notes:

Click here for class notes.

 

Lesson [12]: Reply to Islam Spread by the Sword

Reply to stereotypes:

1.    Islam is a religion that spread with the sword.

2.    Islam is a religion that doesn’t tolerate other religions.

3.    In a Muslim state, you have to either give up your religion or get killed.

 

Click here to listen to the class

Click here to see a presentation about the subject

Homework:

Listen to the audio recording of the class and answer the following questions thoroughly. Short answers are not accepted. You must email me the homework via email hw@zeiny.net

A. What made people say that about Islam?

B. Summarize the following replies to the Stereotypes that Islam spread by the sword (violence).

1.     Muslims made the invaded county better than it was.

2.     When the British occupied Egypt, did they make Cairo better than London? When the French occupied Algeria, did they make Algeria better than Paris. When Gorge Bush occupied Iraq, did he make Bagdad better than Washington or worse than Tijuana?

3.     Indonesia.

4.     The sword opens a land not a heart.

5.     Did the Islamic law accommodate non-Muslim minorities living in Muslim countries?

6.     Non-Muslim worship places are preserved intact.

7.     Quran said that "No compulsion in religion" Quran (2:256).

C. What is the difference between liberation and occupation.

D. (optional) What is the story of the Coptic guy and the son of Amro Ibn Al-As عمرو بي العاص.

E. What is the inquisition? What religion was the one who did the inquisition? where and when did it start?  What was the purpose? How long did it last? Did Muslims do any inquisition?

Notes: 

Answers:

1)      From the Quran: The following verses from the Quran forbid imposing the religion on people. See Quran 2:256 [There is no compulsion in religion], 50:45 [Can’t force them to believe] and 10:99 [Your Lord could have made all people on earth believe. Who are you (Mohamed) to compel them against the will of God].

2)      The sword opens a land and doesn’t open a heart. In other words, the sword was used to expand the empire not to expand the religion.

3)      In Islamic law (Sharia), any declarations, consent, marriage, divorce, contractual agreement, decision, testimony imposed by force is invalid.

4)      Using force to compel religion produces nothing but hypocrisy. The person who is under the threat of the sword will not love or practice Islam nor will teach it to his/her children.

 

5)      Unlike the history of Christianity that has 400 years of inquisition; the history of Islam doesn’t have any form of inquisition.

 Inquisition torture devices.

Holy Inquisition. 

6)       

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