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Personal and Civic Values in Islam

Overview: This lesson addresses the values expressed by contemporary Muslims in the film and their relationship to the Qur’an and Hadith, the two sources of Islamic teachings.

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

    • list values expressed by contemporary Muslims.
    • link values expressed by contemporary Muslims to primary sources from early Islamic history.
    • explain how these values relate to a contemporary or personal situation.

Procedure:

    1. Have students form groups and use their film notes to list personal, social, and civic values expressed by the contemporary Muslims in the film.
    2. Have students write one or two sentences describing how the contemporary Muslims in the film have tried to exemplify those values in their lives.
    3. Using Handout 4:2a, have students match the contemporary quotes of Muslims in the film to the hadith that best describes the value. This will require students to think about both the meaning of the modern quote and the how it relates to the hadith.
    4. Have students write a paragraph describing a contemporary situation or personal dilemma that might be related to the values expressed in the texts.
    5. EXTENSION: List some characteristics and habits of persons who serve as personal role-models for the students and discuss how they can emulate these qualities and apply the values of their role-model in daily or professional life.

Handout 4:2a PERSONAL AND CIVIC VALUES IN ISLAM (student copy)

Values Expressed by Modern Day Muslims

Quotes from the Qur’an and Hadith
  1. "One of the things the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, taught us was that it is our duty to correct injustices in the world." – Jameel Johnson, Congressional Aide
  2. "Prophet Muhammad, he asked the question to the people around him, ‘Do you love your Creator, serve your fellow man first.’" – Kevin James, FDNY Fire Marshall
  3. "The Prophet put that emphasis on inner development, jihad, struggle with yourself to improve yourself in your intent for the sake of God." – Kevin James, FDNY Fire Marshall
  4. "He said to these people, these are your neighbors, your brothers and sisters, and he establishes that sense of humanity, that ummah." – Najah Bazzy, nurse
  5. "Prophet Muhammad has taught us that we don’t even understand, we could never comprehend the value of taking care of the ill or providing for the dying and maintaining their dignity." – Najah Bazzy, nurse
  6. "This piece (of calligraphy) is the golden rule in Islam. It is the basis of relations between people." – Mohamed Zakariya, master calligrapher
  7. "Before you reform the society you have to reform yourself." Imam Qazwini, religious leader

"None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself." Hadith in al-Bukhari

"O believers! Why do you say what you do not do? It is most odious in Allah’s sight that you should say that which you do not do." [Qur’an, 61: 2-3]

"O people, Surely we have created you from a male and female, and made you tribes and families that you might know one another. Indeed, the noblest of you with Allah is he who is best in conduct." [Qur’an, 49:13]

"Whosoever of you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart – and that is the weakest of faith." Hadith in al-Bukhari

"There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm." Hadith from Ibn- Majah

"He is not one of us who does not show tenderness to the young and who does not show respect to the elder." Hadith from at-Tirmidhi

"A man said to the Prophet (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him): Counsel me. He (the Prophet) said: Do not become angry. The man repeated [his request] several times, and he (the Prophet) said: Do not become angry." Hadith in al-Bukhari

Handout 4:2b PERSONAL AND CIVIC VALUES IN ISLAM (TEACHER KEY)

Values Expressed by Modern Day Muslims

Quotes from the Qur’an and Hadith
  1. "One of the things the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, taught us was that it is our duty to correct injustices in the world." – Jameel Johnson, Congressional Aide
  2. "Prophet Muhammad, he asked the question to the people around him, ‘Do you love your Creator, serve your fellow man first.’" – Kevin James, FDNY Fire Marshall
  3. "The Prophet put that emphasis on inner development, jihad, struggle with yourself to improve yourself in your intent for the sake of God." – Kevin James, FDNY Fire Marshall
  4. "He said to these people, these are your neighbors, your brothers and sisters, and he establishes that sense of humanity, that ummah." – Najah Bazzy, nurse
  5. "Prophet Muhammad has taught us that we don’t even understand, we could never comprehend the value of taking care of the ill or providing for the dying and maintaining their dignity." – Najah Bazzy, nurse
  6. "This piece is the golden rule in Islam. It is the basis of relations between people." – Mohamed Zakariya, master calligrapher
  7. "Before you reform the society you have to reform yourself." Imam Qazwini, religious leader
  1. "Whosoever sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart – and that is the weakest of faith." Hadith in al-Bukhari
  2. "None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself." Hadith in al-Bukhari
  3. "A man said to the Prophet (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him): Counsel me. He (the Prophet) said: Do not become angry. The man repeated [his request] several times, and he (the Prophet) said: Do not become angry." Hadith in al-Bukhari
  4. "O people, Surely we have created you from a male and female, and made you tribes and families that you might know one another. Indeed, the noblest of you with Allah is he who is best in conduct." [Qur’an, 49:13]
  5. "He is not one of us who does not show tenderness to the young and who does not show respect to the elder." Hadith from at-Tirmidhi
  6. "There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm." Hadith from Ibn- Majah
  7. "O believers! Why do you say what you do not do? It is most odious in Allah’s sight that you should say that which you do not do." [Qur’an, 61: 2-3]