Defining differences within Islam: In what different ways do the various voices of Islam represented in these documents understand and express the common religious tradition of which they are all a part? What grounds for debate or controversy can you identify within or among them?
Comparing religious traditions: How would you compare Islamic religious ideas and practices with those of other traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity?
Considering gender and Islam: How do these documents represent the roles of men and women in Islamic society? Pay particular attention to differences in emphasis.
Seeking additional sources: Notice that all of these documents derive from literate elites, and each of them suggests or prescribes appropriate behavior. What additional documents would you need if you were to assess the impact of these prescriptions on the lives of ordinary people? What specific questions might you want to pose to such documents?