العقيدة الاسلامية في ضوء القرآن والسنة

1. بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Session Two Islamic Belief [in Allah] In the Light of the Qur’an and the Sunnah العقيدة الاسلامية في ضوء القرآن والسنة

2. 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. Another Major Deviation – Al-Murji’a

3. 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. Two extremes both wrong

4. 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 ‘aqeedah vs. philosophy and ‘ilm al-kalaam

5. 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. Origin and sources

6. 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 Methodology

7. 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. Impact

8. ‘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 Style

9. 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 Deduction

10. 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. Results – No meeting point

11. 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 Response of the scholars

12. 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. What is needed