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Heretics, 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
Haji Bektash Veli
Muh ammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhb
PFLP
Ikhwn al-Muslimn
Wilyet al-Faqh
Tribe of Shabazz

Ab al-Hasan al-Ashar
Cem
Mirza Ghulm Ah mad
Jhiliyya
The Afghan Jihd
Noble Drew Ali
W.D. Fard

Part 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, h araka,
tarqa, etc.).

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Heretics, Rebels and Militants in the Islamic World

Final Exam Study Guide

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 AfricanAmericans 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.
Muh ammad 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.
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Heretics, Rebels and Militants in the Islamic World

Final Exam Study Guide

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 byproducts 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-Hasan 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
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Heretics, Rebels and Militants in the Islamic World

Final Exam Study Guide

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.