Classes on Theology

1. Classes on Theology Sheikh Jaffer H. Jaffer Masumeen Islamic Centre February 7th, 2012

2. Week One: Introduction • Overview of Rules • Books used: • MuhaadharatfilIlahiyat – Sheikh Ja’farSubhani • Theological Instructions – Ayatullah Mohammad TaqiMisbahYazdi • Usool al-Aqaid – Ayatullah Hakim

3. Subjects Covered • Week One: Introduction • Concept of Religion; Importance of Ijtihad in matters of Usool; Necessity of Inquiring into Religion • Week Two: Tawheed – Oneness of God: • Knowing God - Fitree and Irtikazee • Proofs of His existence - Wajib, Mumkin, Mumtani’ • Week Three: • Oneness of God - Tawheed fi Dhaat; Sifaat; Khaliqiyah; Rububiyah; Ibadat • Attributes of God

4. Subjects Covered (cont)… • Week Four: • Attributes of Essence – Hayat, Ilm & Qudrah • Attributes of Action – Khaliqiyah, Rububiyah & Uluhiyat • Week Five: • Additional Attributes – Iradah, Kalaam, Sidq • Negative Attributes • Week Six: • Analyzing the reasons for deviation; The Materialistic Worldview

5. Concept of Religion • Question: • What is Religion? • The Arabic term for Religion is دين • Lexical: Obedience and Recompense • Technical: To have a belief in the ‘Creator’ of man and the universe. The prescribed actions that accompany such a belief also fall within this definition. • Therefore, Religion encompasses two things: • Fundamentals : Usoolud-Deen • Practical Rules : Furooud-Deen

6. Fundamental Principles • Question: • What are our fundamental principles? • FP of all Monotheistic Religions: • Belief in One God (Tawhid) • Justice of God (Adalat) • Belief in the prophets of God sent to guide human beings (Nabuwat) • Vicegerency (Imamat) • Belief in eternal life in the hereafter:(Ma’ad)

7. Ijtihad (Independent Reasoning) • Taqleed not allowed • Why? • Because the answers are available for all of us to find • It requires individual certainty – we are responsible for ourselves

8. Necessity of Inquiring into Religion • Question: • Why is it necessary to inquire about Religion? • Fitrah: • Intrinsic nature of human beings to seek and become aware of Reality • فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتىِ فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيهَْا لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ذَالِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَ لَاكِنَّ أَكْثرََ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ • So set your face upright on the religion as a people of pure faith, the origination (nature) of Allah according to which He originated mankind. There is no altering Allah's creation; that is the upright religion, but most people do not know (Ar-Room:30).

9. Necessity of Inquiring into Religion • Desire: • To protect oneself from eternal punishment and harm • دفع للضرر المحتمل • Desire to accomplish worldly or materialistic bounties • To thank the provider • شكر المنعم

10. Necessity of Inquiring into Religion • Question: • Why do people deny the existence of Religion? • The intrinsic nature (Fitra’) which is inherent in man does not necessarily mean it is always active and alert • Understanding religious realities are vast, difficult and sometimes out of reach • Laziness, apathy or complacency

11. Any Questions?