Five Faiths Project
ISLAM
Voices of Faith
I. Bismilla (transcript)
Summary
Bismilla is the first and longest letter in the Qur’an. It means: I do my deeds in the name of Allah almighty. In this story, the teller recounts a folk tale concerning a husband and wife and their devotion to Allah.
Research Option
Folk tales often reinforce certain values within a culture. Ask students to find other folk tales from America and other parts of the world. What values do the tales reinforce?
Discussion Questions
If folk tales reinforce values, what values does this story reinforce? How does the story prove Allah’s faithfulness? Why might this be an important story for husbands and wives?
II. The Story of My Name (transcript)
Summary
The storyteller tells the ancient story of Hagar, the mother of Ishmael. The storyteller is named for this matriarch of Islam. This story explains the origins of the Arab people who were the ancestors of Muhammad.
Research Option
Find the region of the world in which this story takes place. What clues are in the text? What climate and terrain surround the River Jordan? In the Muslim pilgrimage, called, hajj, the pilgrims reenact Hagar’s run between the mountains. Students may be able to find images of these mountains and the fountain of water in texts on Islam. Refer to the small watercolors on the Islam poster. The image on the right is of Mecca and the surrounding mountains. Remind students that this place is still maintained as “the sanctuary of the desert people.”
Discussion Questions
How does obedience to God play into this story? What examples of faithfulness can be found within the story?
III. A Story of Muhammad (transcript)
Summary
This is the story of Muhammad and his wife Hadidya and their four children. When faced with the death of his only son, Muhammad grows very sad. The angel Gabriel comes to assure Muhammad that even in his sorrow he could be assured that Allah was in control of all things.
Research Option
There are many stories of the life of the prophet. In each, Muhammad is shown to be faithful to Allah. Students may wish to find additional stories of the prophet, and to examine the ways in which these stories demonstrate and support a life of faith.
Discussion Questions
It is important that the Prophet Muhammad experienced many of the same challenges that other people face. How does this story reinforce the listeners’ understanding of the devotion of Muhammad? What other events in a person’s life might challenge faith? Why do sacred texts often include such stories?
IV. Muhammad Ascends to Heaven (transcript)
Summary
This story tells of the Night Flight of Muhammad. It is a story of Muhammad’s need for comfort and encouragement, and Allah’s provision for his need. In addition, Allah instructs Muhammad to teach his people to pray five times a day.
Research Option
Locate the countries named by the storyteller: Pakistan, Lebanon, North Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Tradition places this story at the spot where the Dome of the Rock, a large mosque, now stands. Find images of the Dome of the Rock. Define any unfamiliar terms used in the story.
Discussion Questions
In this story, Muhammad takes a journey which no man has ever taken before or since. He travels to heaven and meets the ancestors and the prophets who had gone before him. What lessons does he learn while he is in heaven? Who m does he meet? What words of encouragement do they offer? Why might these words have been so great a comfort to him? Students may wish to explore with whom they would wish to speak when they are in times of stress and strain. Are they family members? Ancestors? Prophets? Particularly in times of difficulty, how might praying five times a day be a comfort?
V. A Story of Piety (transcript)
Summary
The storyteller offers a story which reminds the listener of the importance of charity and devotion in the way of Islam. A man named Abu Becker and his wife sell all their possessions except for a piece of cloth needed for prayers.
Research Option
The storyteller uses the terms piety and exemplifying. Define these and other unfamiliar terms used in this story.
Discussion Questions
What do the people learn from Abu Becker? How does Allah confirm the devotion of Abu Becker? Obedience is a recurrent theme in many of the stories of the lives of Muslims. Encourage students to enrich their definition of obedience with the creative actions done by Abu Becker and his wife in this story.