Islamic: Unit 4

1. Islamic: Unit 4

2. Muslim Upbringing and the belief in Allah Children copy their parents so will believe Allah exists Children go to the madrassah where they are taught about Islam; mixing with other children and Muslims helps the children reinforce their belief Kitan- boys are circumcised Muslim Upbringing At about 4 years old children begin their formal education about Islam; at a young age they begin to learn about Islam to shape them up as better Muslim adults Aqiqa- 7 days after birth the baby is named; names constantly remind the child they're Muslims and must live up to their name Children are taught to pray, to read Qur'an and are taken to the mosque; practising salah regularly reminds children the Allah exists Head of the family whispers the adhan in the right ear and the Iqamah in the left; the first thing the child hears is the foundation of Islam “ there is no God but Allah”

3. Religious experience and belief in Allah Community celebration of festivals Influence from TV experiences which could lead to believe in Allah A miracle Visiting a mosque or a Muslim country Numinous experiences Meeting with a Muslim, who tells them about their faith An answered prayer Reading a book or an article about Islam

4. Make sure you link the design argument with the existence of Allah The design argument and belief in Allah Some people argue that the complex nature of the world supports belief in Allah Everything made has a purpose

5. The causation argument and belief in Allah A diamond is a natural stone made by carbon being compressed over hundreds of years. They are mined then cut and polished to make jewellery. Can you trace a diamond back to its source? Everything made has a beginning

6. Science and how it may cause non-belief in Allah Evolution The Big Bang • Scientific explanations of the origins of the world can lead people to doubt the existence of Allah • Muslims believe the universe was created by Allah • Some Muslims believe that the world is so beautiful and mysterious that there must have been a power behind its beginning, and that must be Allah. It could not have happened randomly

7. Unanswered prayers and the Muslim response Prayer: An attempt to contact Allah, usually through words Omni-benevolent: The belief that Allah is all-good Omnipotent: The belief that Allah is all-powerful Omniscient: The belief that Allah knows everything that has happened and everything that is going to happen Atheists argue that if Allah existed, then surely he would answer everyone's prayers; and help people that are suffering. Allah is Omni-benevolent and cares for us Allah is omnipotent and has control over everything This life is a test and not getting the answers we want is part of that test Allah is omniscient and knows what’s best for us

8. Evil and suffering and the belief in Allah If Allah is omniscient he would know how to remove the causes of suffering Natural evil- things that cause suffering but have nothing to do with humans. If Allah is benevolent he would not want people to suffer and would remove the causes of suffering Moral evil- actions done by humans that cause suffering If Allah is omnipotent he would remove the causes of suffering Therefore as suffering and evil exist: Allah must not be omniscient, benevolent omnipotent; or he doesn't exists

9. The Muslim response to evil and suffering Muslims believe that: Free will: The idea that human beings are free to make their own choices ‘’On no soul does God place a burden greater than it can bear’ (Surah 2) Allah is Omnipotent, Omni-benevolent and Omniscient Life is a test and suffering is part of that test. Passing the test is rewarded after death Man can misuse his free will and cause suffering to others Man can use his free will to help those who suffer Muslims believe that Allah has commanded them to care for the world and has given them free will to make their own choices Muslims believe that they will be judged on the way they used the world that Allah entrusted to them Allah has a plan for everything and we should trust him

10. The media and belief in Allah Positive Negative Belonging to a particular Religion is the only reason why some people are discriminated against… to the point of death Other documentaries portrays that having faith and believing in God should be encouraged. Rasheedis able to find peace and safety within Islamic belief.

11. Thank you for listening