AlhamdulEllah, I finally finished my busy quarter at the University of Washington. I love my university so much. I am very happy there, but this quarter was difficult especially because I took 4 classes at the same time and one of the classes was 4 hours everyday with 6 hours of study time everyday after school. But alhamdulEllah, I did well with them. Today I had my final exams. I had a very good experience this summer. I met a lot of nice people and made new friends. I learned a lot about religion and my Arabic is improved.
One of my courses this summer was the study of "The Gospels and Jesus of Nazareth (Al Injil wa Issa min Nazaret)." I learned about many of the scholars that attempted to learn more about the historical Jesus, based on the historical context he lived in and based upon the many texts and gospels that they have at their reach. I learned also about how the gospels may have been written and how scholars show what may have been added, changed or may actually be attributable to Jesus.
The Gospels consist of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John. We also looked at some gospels that were not included in the bible we know today, such as the Gospel of Peter and the Gospel of Thomas. We studied about the theories that scholars have about which may be the phrases that can be best traced back to the time of Jesus from these texts. It was very eye-opening to learn about what people were like in Jesus' time and how they thought. It is so much more different than we would like to think. For example, within the historical context of Jesus' life, ritual animal sacrifice was not only normal but common throughout various groups, even pagans. Thus for the Jews to have this ritual for atonement and purity, it may not have seemed out of place at all.
On the other hand, something that is as common today as the Sabbath day, which is Sunday for most Christian sects and Saturday, Shabbat, for the Jews for the historical context of Jesus' lifetime, this observance of the Sabbath would have set the Jews apart from others and been a very curious custom for many outsiders. So this helps to show that it is hard to depict Jesus without really understanding the context in which he lived because we are looking through a biased lens and the knowledge of what happened after his crucifixion also can get in the way of getting a purer idea of what Jesus may really have been like and what his message consisted of truly and why he would have been crucified. At any rate, in a nutshell, it was a very fascinating class and I learned a lot.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful....
Introduction
This is a journal of my experience in life as as a Muslim convert. I share about the things I learn, question, reflect upon, achieve, and experience on the path of Islam. [96:1-5] Read! In the name of your Lord who created - Created the human from something which clings. Read! And your Lord is Most Bountiful - He who taught (the use of) the Pen, Taught the human that which he knew not.
About Maryam
- Nickname: Mimi
- I study Islamic Studies and International Business at the university, and enjoy studying political science and languages as well. On my free time I study Arabic, Hebrew, and religion. I am Guatemalan and American.I am also Spanish, Italian Scottish and German. I also speak Spanish, Japanese, and Italian. I love to learn about other cultures. I also love to learn about nutrition and fitness. I am very active in sports, outdoor activities and exercise, and flamenco dance class. I am fascinated with my country, Guatemala, it is such a beautiful place, full of variety and rich culture and history, especially the Maya. I LOVE to cook and I try to have a well-balanced diet. Someday I also hope to learn Amharic, Persian (Farsi), and Aramaic and I hope to travel to all of the middle east and Ethiopia, Japan, and Sicily.
Knowledge and Understanding
[2:269] He [Allah] grants wisdom to whom He pleases; and he to whom wisdom is granted indeed receives a benefit overflowing. But none will grasp the Message except men of understanding.
[20:114] High above all is Allah, the King, the Truth. Do not be in haste with the Qur'an before its revelation to you is completed, but say, "O my Sustainer! Increase my knowledge."
[3:190-191] Verily in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day - there are indeed signs for men of understanding; Men who remember Allah, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the creation of the heavens and the earth (with the thought) "Our Lord! Not for nothing have You created (all) this. Glory to You! Give us salvation from the suffering of the Fire."
[39:9] ...Say: Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those who are endued with understanding that remember (Allah's Message).
[58:11] ...Allah will raise up to (suitable) ranks (and degrees) those of you who believe and who have been granted knowledge.
Sheikh Mishary Al Afasy
He came to my mosque in the USA to recite from the Qur'an recently and when he prayed salat he cried. My first time to pray the late night prayer during Ramadan was when I went to Kuwait in the Grand Mosque and Mishary was reciting Surat Maryam! Sub7anAllah... Here is a video of nasheed (Islamic poetry) from him. He has been blessed with a beautiful voice for praising Allah, masha' Allah. You can see some of his recitations of the Qur'an at my mosque at this site - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg2QYHmRfY0&mode=related&search=
Friday, August 17, 2007
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