Your mid-term exam will consist of three parts:

REL 3367Heretics, Rebels and Militants in the Islamic World

Final Exam Study Guide

Your final exam will consist of two parts:

Part One Identifications (50% of exam grade)Provide identifications for the following terms, phrases, names or concepts (on the exam you will complete five identifications from a choice of eight). Your answers should be a paragraph (i.e. about half of a small blue book page), and should include the meaning of the term (if appropriate) and its significance to the history of Islamic sectarianism.

Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jama

Ab al-asan al-Ashar

Haji Bektash Veli

CemMuammad Ibn Abd al-WahhbMirza Ghulm Amad

PFLP

JhiliyyaIkhwn al-Muslimn

The Afghan JihdWilyet al-Faqh

Noble Drew AliTribe of Shabazz

W.D. FardPart Two Essay (50% of exam grade)Prepare to write a substantial essay from the following options (on the exam you will write one essay from a choice of two). Be sure to organize your thoughts carefully, illustrate concretely, and provide detail. There is no need to waste time writing an introductory paragraph simply begin with the body of your essay.

a) In the recent history of sectarian/political divisions within the Islamic world, the prominence of Marxist/populist movements in noteworthy. Consider the contribution of Marxist/populist movements to later Islamist organizations: what continuities might be said to exist between these two types of groups? What debt do Islamist groups owe their predecessors among the Marxist/populist movements?b) While both Shiite in outlook, the Alevis of Turkey and Hizbullah in Lebanon present two vastly different kinds of groups. Contrast the two, focusing on their theological perspectives, political involvements and forms of social organization. In your answer, be sure to define (a la Sedgwick) what kind of group they present (i.e. firqa, araka, tarqa, etc.).c) Elijah Muhammads Nation of Islam offered an alternative religious and racial identity to African-Americans one that made novel claims about what Islam meant for Blacks in the US. Consider and then describe the appeal of the Nation of Islam for African-Americans during its heyday in the 1950s through 70s. Why might African-Americans embrace such a (seemingly) bizarre religious path?Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jama literally means people of tradition and unification. In general, this name refers to Islams largest sect of followers, commonly known in English as Sunni. Its been around since the death of the Prophet, and followed the line of the Caliphate through Abu Bakr rather than Ali.

Haji Bektash Veli founder of the Alevi and Bektashi sects of Shia Islam. Descendant of the 7th Imam. He was a Sufi mystic that found himself in Turkey following the migration of nomadic peoples into the Balkan Peninsula. Claimed Ali as his source, and taught a progressive Islam that differed greatly from other Shiite teachings. Their ritual practices are syncretistic to those of Orthodox Christians in the region including the Holy Eucharist. Muammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhb Najdite Islamic scholar of the 18th century. Not many notable written works, but considered his teachings to be for the purification of Islam and a return to the original teachings of Islam that focused on the oneness of Allah and his attributes. Founder of Wahhabi school of thought and had an important pact that led to the creation of the Saudi state, whose dynastic lineage continues today. Saudi Arabia is also the largest center of Wahhabi Islam today.PFLP Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. This group was founded in 1967 by George Habash and moved for a one-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Primarily Marxist in thought and aligned with the Marxist regimes of the Peoples Republic of China and the Soviet Union. Relations between the PFLP and Iran have fluctuated but have improved since both parties aligned in support of the Assad regime in Syria. Labeled a terrorist organization by the US, UE, and Canada, despite having changed positions in regard to their previous aircraft hijackings and suicide bombings.Ikhwn al-Muslimn The Muslim Brotherhood. Social organization started in Egypt in 1928 by a schoolteacher and Islamic scholar Hassan al-Banna. Looks to install the Quran and Sunna as the basis for the function of the state and people. Has manifested in various forms: transnational, social, political, and underground organization being a few. Has played a prominent role in the political upheavals in Egypt and been named a terrorist organization by Egyptian nationalists. The Brotherhood produced the first democratically elected president of Egypt in 2012 after over sixty years of being an outlawed organization.Wilyet al-Faqh In English Guardianship of the Jurist, refers to the Islamic doctrine among Twelver Shia that Allah has granted the guidance of a jurist over his people. Disagreement as to the power that this jurist has is strong, especially between followers of different Ayatollah. Absolute Guardianship of the Jurist enables the jurist to rule not only in spiritual matters but in political matters as well. Quietest Ayatollah agree that the power of the Jurist should be limited to matters that concern more than social order and problems. The rise of the position of jurist may be linked to the disappearance of the Twelfth Imam God is just, therefore he will provide someone to guide his people.Tribe of Shabazz According to Elijah Muhammad, all African or black people were members of the Tribe of Shabazz. All other races were by-products that had fallen away from the tribe. Thus, black people were elect by Allah to live purely and be reconciled to God. All other races had fallen away from Allah into sin and evil. This narrative was central to the beliefs of the Nation of Islam under the leadership of Elijah Muhammad in the context of oppression against black people in the US.Ab al-asan al-Ashar Sunni Islamic scholar who made apparent the tenets of modern Sunnism, such as the avoidance of declaring one an unbeliever on the account of a sin, even grave sins. This distinguished Sunnism in a profound way from many Shia and Kharajite Muslims. He spent much of his work opposing the Mutazili school of Islam, including the free will of action and the nature of the Quran. He is considered by many scholars to be the Mujadid of the Third Century.W.D. Fard Founder of the Nation of Islam in 1930 and the teacher of Elijah Muhammad. Obscure life. Not much is known about him, other than alleged activity with the Moorish Science Temple. W.D. Fard was imprisoned multiple times throughout his life for bootlegging and for action against authority.

Jahiliyyah This Arabic word literally means ignorance of divine guidance and was historically used to refer to the Arab world prior to the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. Medieval Islamic scholars began to use the term to refer to those who had fallen back or away from the teachings of the Prophet. Today, contemporary scholars use the word to describe a condition of having a lack of Sharia law. Because true Islam cannot exist without Sharia law, those without it live under the condition of Jahiliyyah.

Cem the central worship service of Alevi Muslims. The service involves ritual dancing, chants, and a syncretistic ritual of sharing a common cup of wine in order to share in the intoxicating feeling of the love of Allah. The ceremony also includes discussions and lessons based on Islamic teachings and revelations, some of which are exclusive to Alevis, while others are not. The ceremony may also include rites of induction for new incumbents to the Alevi order.

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