#107 The Qur'an

Check for understanding (Kahoot!)

Writing assignment tonight: View assignments page.

Context for the Qur’an:

• The Qur’an is said to have been transmitted directly to Mohammad over a period of 23 years from 609 to 632 CE. This makes the text considerably more recent than some others (for example, Aristotle was born about 384 BCE).
• Foundational text for Islam, the world’s second largest religion (1.9 billion adherents).
• Format is mainly poetic rather than narrative.
• Major difference between this text and others that we have read is that the true Qur’an can only be read in Arabic. Important for several reasons, one of which is that most Muslims today (about 80%) live outside the Middle East. Believers must be able to recite 3 verses.
• Here is what the Fatiha or the Opening, sounds like when recited: 

Notecard exercise:

Top left: copy out a quotation from the text. Place in quotation marks and put the page number in parentheses.

• For example: “Pleasure is our first and kindred good” (5).

Bottom left: Explain the quotation in your words.

• For example: “Living a pleasant life is the highest goal for most people.”

Right-hand side: Put your original thinking here. How does this fit in with what you know or with other texts? What do you think about the ideas in quotation? What do you wonder about it?

• Example: “This statement can easily be misunderstood, since Epicurus has a different idea of “pleasure” than what first comes to mind. I agree that safety is an important prerequisite for living a good life in the sense of achieving human flourishing. On the other hand, I am not sure I agree it is the “first and kindred good.” What about ideals like love or justice?

Share out in three small groups. Take turns sharing out in a circle.

Open up for discussion.

Homework: Assignment #108.