35

Midterm Exam

REL 233: Introduction to Islam

NOVA Alexandria Campus, Spring Semester of 2018

(Second 8-weeks session)

Professor: Dr. Daoud Nassimi, April 5, 2018

Student Full Name: Grade: ______/ 100

Instructions: Please read the following instructions very carefully.

1. This is a Take-Home exam and answers are due on Sunday, April 8th at 11:59 PM.

2. Write your answers under each question and under each part separately in a brief and precise manner. Do not delete any part of this file and do not write in red color.

3. Submit your file with answers in Blackboard under "Assignments" as an MS Word attached file. In case of any difficulty in submitting to Bb and facing the deadline, send it by email to [email protected].

4. Note that you are expected to use the class materials as the primary source and they are more than enough.

5. Any late submission of the exam beyond the deadline will have penalty. If the exam is submitted after the deadline but within 24 hours, 20 points will be lost. If submitted after 24 hours but within 3 days, 40 points will be lost. The exam will not be accepted after 3 days unless there is an exceptional and pre-approved situation.

6. For any questions/clarification, contact me by email. In case of real urgent matters, text me at 703-869-3434.

Question 1 (Points: /24). As it was discussed in the class materials, people usually learn about, discover, or prove any reality in the following 3 methods: 1. Using sensory perceptions, 2. logical inference, and 3. reliance on expert testimony of credible witnesses. Review these 3 methods in the class materials carefully and answer the following (based on the class materials):

Which of these three methods can be used to explore/confirm the existence of God and which ones cannot be used for that purpose? If any method can be used, explain how it can be used; and if any method cannot be used, explain why it cannot be used. Provide your explanations for each method in a separate paragraph.

Question 2 (Total Points: /40): The creed of faith in Islam rejects all kinds of deities as God and declares Allah as the only God. Nine types of deities/gods that many people associate with God and worship them besides God or instead of God were discussed in class.

Part A ( /32 points). Describe the reasoning and logic for rejecting the following four types of those entities: 1. Other people, 2. Oneself, 3. Science, and 4. Wealth. The reasoning and logic should explain why it is emphasized in Islam that people should not totally depend on them like depending on Allah, or why people should not treat them as if they are worshiping them. Describe each type in a separate paragraph.

Part B ( /8 points). Which two of those nine types of gods (Illahs) are the most common these days in the western world, and how?

Question 3 (Points: /20). Review the class presentation on Human Sufferings and provide four of the most important points of that presentation. Explain each point in a few sentences in a separate paragraph. Your answer should demonstrate a careful review of the whole presentation.

Question 4 (Total Points: /16). Among all kinds of issues that Prophet Muhammad encountered during his prophethood in Makkah period, identify only two major and specific issues that caught your attention the most. For each one, explain what the issue was and how the prophet resolved it.

Before you submit your exam, make sure that you have followed all of the instructions of this exam. If not, you will lose points.