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Essays on life lessons
Islamic culture and traditions
Islamic culture and traditions
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The Road to Mecca is a book written by Muhammad Asad who was a Jew and converted to Islam when he was 26 year old. This book is basically a story of a young man and his journey to Mecca and how did he finds the real meaning of Islam and faith. As for me, this book is a very good teacher for those who want to know what Islam really is. The rate for this book given by Google Book is 4.5 stars out of 5. What is the difference of this book compared to other travelogue books and memoir?
Muhammad Asad has never thought that he is going to convert to Islam. I am really interested in one of his saying “It was not the Muslim who has made Islam great, it was Islam who made Muslim great”. The way he utters his words and describes the beauty of the Islam and the Quran might be difference from other authors. This is because Muhammad Asad has been lived his life at west and east. He knows the opinion of a west towards Islam and vice versa.
Out of twelve chapters in his book, I decided to emphasize on one chapters; This chapter told us about how Ibn Musaad and King Ibn Saud treated him, the value of the father and the dreams. The reason why I choose this chapter is because I love how they treated their guest, the respect for the father, the humbleness of the leader and also the passion of leadership skill in young man.
The way Ibn Musaad and King Ibn Saud treated Muhammad Asad was beyond that what I expected. Despite of his background as a westerner and a Jew, he had a smooth journey because people around him treated him nicely. I questioned myself when I read this chapter. What would I do if I were in Ibn Musaad place. Yes, Asad might be a friend of amir but what if he is just an ordinary guy who just converted to Islam? What is the right way t...
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.... Asad describes on how was Ibn Saud reaction when his father passed away.
I reflect myself after I read this chapter. How many of us (young man and woman) have these kind of respect, humbleness and leadership skills in ourself? Ibn Saud succeeds in conquering Hijaz, including Mecca and Jeddah. He approached Beduins by using the teaching Islam. Put Islam, his father and responsibility as the King as his priority. His entire plan came out nicely because he was well prepared with the plan and strategy.
If I were Ibn Saud or if I were Muhammad Asad, what would I do for the betterment of the ummah? What would I do if someone takes over my country? Do I have plan and strategy? Do I have a good understanding towards my religion to guide myself and other people? As for now, I must say that I do not have all that kind of things. I should start now before it’s too late.
...y by compiling a summary of Islamic history, and, by doing so, creates a complete Islamic history that can go toe to toe with European history. As a result, his argument stands to be thorough, suggesting that Islamic history indeed plays a role in today’s international world
Livingston, John W., and Al-Jabarti. "The Rise of Shaykh al-Balad 'Ali Bey al-Kabir: A Study in
Cobb, Paul. "Introduction." Ibn Munqidh, Usama. Book of Contemplation Islam and the Crusades. New York: Penguin Books, 2008. xv-xlii.
War and Peace in the Middle East by Avi Shlaim. In the novel War and Peace In the Middle East, author Avi Shlaim argues that Arab nations have been unable to escape the post-Ottoman syndrome. In particular, he describes how the various powers inside and outside the region have failed to produce peace. While some of Shlaim's arguments hinder the message, I agree with his overall thesis that the Middle East problems were caused and prolonged by the failure of both powers and superpowers to take into account the regional interests of the local states.
Amir’s development from being “a boy who won’t stand up for himself,” to a man that stands up for the morally responsible thing to do (22, Hosseini). When Amir was a child, he tried to escape from his sins in the past by hiding them with lies. However, this only made it worse for Amir, causing him to be an insomniac for much of his life and putting himself through constant torment. Only when Amir became a man, like Baba wanted him to be, was Amir able to face the truth of what he done and put himself on the path of redemption. Even when Amir was suffering a violent beating from Assef, Amir was able to laugh because he knew he was doing what he should have for Hassan years ago. Amir’s development from a child, who lies in order to cower from their own mistakes, into a man, someone who is not only able to admit his sins, but atone for them, is essential to communicating the theme of redemption being the only way to settle with your
Prior to the introduction of Islam, the Arabian Peninsula was made of Tribes. Fighting between these tribes was common as resources were scarce. This created a culture based around continuous warfare. According to the text, “The widespread experience of Arabs in warfare was to be a significant factor in the early expansion of Islam” (Cleveland 7). Another factor, which helped in the spread of Islam, was simply timing. These empires emerged at a time when the rest of the world was relatively weak. The two prevailing Empires preceding the rise of Islam, the Byz...
However there are some characters that become better people and change becoming a better, stronger, more loyal individual in the end. The individual that demonstrates this development within this novel is Amir himself. All of the guilt Amir holds with him as a child allow him to realize his duty to be loyal to his brother Hassan ion the end. An example of this is when Amir goes back to Kabul, Afghanistan to retrieve his nephew Sohrab. Amir says, “I remembered Wahid’s boys and… I realized something. I would not leave Afghanistan without finding Sohrab.’ tell me where he is,’ I said” (Hosseini 255). Here, Amir is at the orphanage waiting to find out where Taliban has taken his nephew. Amir remembers the three young starving sons of Wahid, a man whose home he had been in earlier, and realized that Afghanistan is not a safe place for Sohrab. Amir is finally aware of one thing, Hassan has always been there to protect Amir like a loyal friend and brother would and now Amir knows that it is his turn to return that loyalty to Hassan by protecting Hassan’s flesh and blood. A second example of Amir’s loyalty to Hassan near the ending of the book is during Amir’s confrontation with General Sahib and the dinner table after Sohrab is safe in America with him. Amir proclaims to General Sahib, “…That boy sleeping on the couch
The characterizations of the main characters are not so much different in the movie than in the book but are incomplete. The movie does not show the depth and secret desires that motivate the characters and does not allow for on to sympathize and really get to know the characters. The movie follows the basic outline of the books plot but does not incorporate all of the small details that make the book so profound. In contrast, the setting in the movie and the book is mostly identical. One line in the book tells the whole story of Amir. The line is said by Rham Khan and it is “There is away to be good again.” The line tells Amir’s true desire and that is to atone for his sins as a kid. Since both the movie and the book focus on that one line they are both more similar than different. In conclusion, although, the movie was not just like the book and emphasized certain themes more than others it still told the story and shared the lessons the book
When discussing the controversial authors of Indian literature, one name should come to mind before any other. Salman Rushdie, who is best known for writing the book “Midnights Children.” The first two chapters of “Midnights Children” are known as “The Perforated Sheet”. In “The Perforated Sheet” Rushdie utilizes magic realism as a literary device to link significant events and their effects on the lives of Saleem’s family to a changing India. In fact, it is in the beginning of the story that the reader is first exposed to Rushdie’s use of magic realism when being introduced to Saleem. “On the stroke of midnight/clocks joined palms” and “the instant of India’s arrival at independence. I tumbled forth into the world”(1711). Rushdie’s description of the clocks “joining palms” and explanation of India’s newfound independence is meant to make the reader understand the significance of Saleem’s birth. The supernatural action of the clocks joining palms is meant to instill wonder, while independence accentuates the significance of the beginning of a new era. Rushdie also utilizes magic realism as an unnatural narrative several times within the story to show the cultural significance of events that take place in the story in an abnormal way.
It has been such a joy reading “The Norton Introduction to Literature” by Kelly J. Mays. Of all the stories that I was assigned to read, one story in particular stood out to me because of how the author used words to create a vivid image in my mind. The story I’m talking about is “Araby” by James Joyce. James Joyce does a great job creating vivid images in the readers mind and creates a theme that most of us can relate. In this paper I will be discussing five scholarly peer reviewed journals that also discusses the use of image and theme that James Joyce created in his short story “Araby”. Before I start diving into discussing these five scholarly peer review journals, I would like to just write a little bit about “Araby” by James Joyce. James Joyce is an Irish writer, mostly known for modernist writing and his short story “Araby” is one of fifteen short stories from his first book that was published called “Dubliners”. Lastly, “Araby” is the third story in Dubliners. Now I will be transitioning to discussing the scholarly peer review journals.
...writer starts the essay by stating the basic fudamentals of Muslim's beleif and action. Then she connects this idea with beleifs and actions shown and inplied through the media. After that, the media images are connected with the fact that the images cause fear and stereotypes; the teachings that correct the stereotypes are also linked. Next the teachings are connected with the Quran and the leaders and groups who misunderstand and violate the teachings. After that, the five pillars of Islam are explained, described and defined. Finally, it is explained how the pillars affect Muslims by defining their character and lives. All of these ideas are organized so that they are logically linked with the writer's strategy. The writer's strategy includes explainations, the use of examples, and comparison and contrast, to support each idea claimed and to define a "true" Muslim.
Ibn Khaldun was the first historian and sociologist to write about Middle Eastern culture and thought. He was successfully able to do this by pointing out other historians’ flaws and recognizing his own references, discussing the rise and fall of civilizations, how Greek thought was incorporated or not incorporated within his work, and finally how jurisprudence brought the people together. His ideas set an example for many historians at the time and many of them correct. Even though some of his work doesn’t apply to today’s standard (one can only successfully live in a certain climate), but his theory on the rise and fall of a generational dynasty can apply to business techniques of today.
The medieval Islamic word for journey, Rihla, was originally associated with camelback riding. Rihla has become to be known a type of literature that fostered “the concept of al-riḥla fī ṭalab al-ʿilm, travel in search of knowledge” and is commonly used in conjunction with Ibn Battuta (“Encyclopedia of Islam”). His Rihla provides insightful detail into the daily life of Islamic culture. Initially Ibn Battuta was both young and ambitious to become a traveler. His inexperience did not prove to be an issue and he would make difficult decisions such as abandoning his belongings to continue traveling when he got sick (44). The nature of Ibn Battuta’s Rihla was nurtured by the customs and cultures in the Dar al-Islam, the territory controlled by
The prophet Muhammad is a very significant individual in the lives of all Muslims. This essay will focus on the book The lives of Muhammad by Kecia Ali on the first chapter of The Historical Muhammad. Further discussion on early sources about Muhammad, Muhammad throughout the centuries and non-Muslim sources will be touched on throughout, as the author will provide insight on different perspectives of Muhammad as a true prophet.
In conclusion, throughout the book "Islam the Straight Path", many understandings come about by looking at the many struggles of any particular community. For the purpose of this book review, I went through the book to grasp an understanding of the title "The Straight Path". For many centuries Muslims around the world have experienced the transformation of their society. The important forces that build Islam and Muslims together are the religious life, faith, beliefs and practices. Today Muslims around the world face many challenges of leaders that build the community whether it is a secular or an