Islamic Belief [in Allah]In the Light of the Qur’an and the Sunnah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Session Two

They did to Islam what Paul did to the teachings of Isa

Separated deeds from belief They said: “Sin does no harm as long

as the individual believes.” Islam: Deeds are part of iman – it

increases with good deeds and decreases with bad deeds.

The way of the Khawarij caused despair in the forgiveness of Allah.

And, it caused killing and separation among the Muslims.

The way of the Murji’a removed the motivation for good deeds and obedience.

It causes Islam – individual and collective – to disintegrate.

Islam: The iman of those who sin is imperfect, but they are still among the Muslims and their judgment is up to Allah in the hereafter.

Unless that sin itself constitutes kufr.

Both address the same issues: The origin and purpose of the universe The means to short-term and long-term

felicity. Major differences between them:

Origin and sources Methodology Influence Effects

Philosophy is a strictly human endeavor

Weaknesses and limitations Influenced by environment

‘Aqeedah is from Divine Communication Decisive truth which falsehood cannot

approach Basic understanding comes without effort.

Many start from the human psyche Empirical and reason the only sources of knowledge So-called ‘ilm al-kalaam followed their precepts and

methodology. Wajib al-wujood Islam: call to worship Allah alone is the starting

point Knowledge of Allah is the foundation of all

knowledge Not mere affirmation, but worship and submission

Philosophy, based on the human mind exclusively is often self-aware of shortcomings

Fundamental truths – whose source is the Creator – in no need of “re-examination”

Sensory vs. certain knowledge Purpose: philosophy->knowledge; aqeedah

->imaan.

‘Aqeedah addresses all aspects of human experience.

Evokes understanding of universal realities which cannot be put into words

Philosophy attempts to capture universal realities – beyond human comprehension into words and terms.

‘Aqeedah should never be approached this way

Both use physical signs to indicate Allah’s Oneness

Qur’an avoids universal analogies which put Creator and creation on the same level.

Many philosophical arguments are weak leading to rejection of truth

Some of them reject truth directly

Learning what is in the Qur’an increases iman

Islam is complete and perfect and in no need of being “reconciled” with anything else.

All else is either falsehood or a mix of truth and falsehood

Islam did not come to be ruled by peoples’ ideas but rather to correct and direct those ideas.

Those who rejected it immediately Ash-Shaafi’i, Ahmad, others

Those who immersed themselves in it and later regretted and repented Ar-Razi, Al-Ghazali

Those who studied it only to expose its weakness Ibn Taimia

The vast difference between a man of philosophy and a man of ‘aqeedah

Men of ‘Aqeedah can deal with what ails this Ummah, philosophy cannot

The difference between holding an opinion and believing in something.

Evidence led to the Creator; His message not subject to evidence after that.