WEEK 6: THEOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY
WEEK 6: THEOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY The topics covered in these chapters are not entirely tangible and it would be difficult for the instructor to test us on this specific material. I would suggest leaving this week for last and focusing on the different Muslim groups such as Karijities, Murjites, etc. Schimmel pg 73-89
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Conflicts between Christianity and Islam enhanced by the fact that the Quran has many references to the life of Jesus Christ that contradict Christian belief - The Koran acknowledges the virgin birth but Jesus is referred to as the last great prophet before Prophet Mohammad and is not God’s son. Mary is one of the four best women that ever lived on earth never touched by Satan In the Quran the crucifixion is rejected. The Ahmadiyya sect states that Jesus wondered into Kashmir after someone was crucified in his place and died at a great age there. This is rejected by both Christians and Muslims Prophecies about the future appearance of Mohammad are found in several passages of the bible. Sura 61/6 speaks of Ahmad “the highly praised one”. This highly praised one Ahmad or Mohammad, was to bring the full and finite revelation.
-
The nature of Christ- so central in the dogmatic development of Christ- has influenced the development of Islamic dogma
-
Christian dogma of the bible “born not created” has influenced Islamic theory of the Quran which is regarded as the word of god
-
The Koran has the same position in Islamic dogmatics as has Christ in Christianity. It explains why theologians emphasized the “ummi” for Mohammad. The prophet had to sustain external knowledge for the world’s inlibration just as Mary had to be a virgin in order to be a pure vessel for the World’s incarnation. Basically theologians emphasize that the Quran is more than a book and hence the Muslim can pray.
-
It must be emphasized the high adoration of the Quran does not impair Mohammad’s position, he as the last prophet is elevated above all human beings
-
A problem with the Quran’s nature leads to some of the more important issues in Islamic dogmatics” character of Islam embraces both religion and the state: a fundamental question arises who is the leader of the community in prayer and war?
-
During battle of Siffin Ali faced his adversary Mu’awiya. The latter feared possible defeat ordered his soldiers to put pages of the Quran on their lances so the war will be
decided by god. Ali did the same, even though his victory was near, leading one group of Muslims to secede. Their question was “to what extent can the leader of the community was to be judged by his ethical qualities. The seceding party took sides against Ali as he had accepted human strategies instead of completely relying on god. The seceding party is called the kharjites and they believe that a person who commits a major sin is no longer Muslim and deserve eternal punishment in hell. Major sins include idolatry, witchcraft, and murder, embezzlement of the good of orphans, usury, dissertation and the rape of a Muslim woman. -
These non-conformist Kharijites consist of a group of small believers who fought against those who seem too lax and went to extremes in applying koranic command to “order the good and restrain people from doing evil”. They felt they were the only true believers and others with their lukewarm attitudes had to be killed. They felt this duty should be administered by only impeccable Muslims even if he is a slave.
-
Murjites are the opposite of kharjites. They believe judgement is solely left to god. Faith can neither diminish nor increase by the works but is the matter of the heart. Even a grave sinner is not an infidel and does not deserve eternal hell.
-
Mohammad said that ever group can find verses in the Koran and hadith that support their views
-
Jabrites believe that everything is predestined, even to the smallest details. On the other hand Quadrites believe all human beings have the capacity to make their own decisions and are thus completely responsible.
-
Between the kharijites and Murjites developed the Mu’tazila those who take an intermediate attitude concerning the grave sinner: he is neither a believer nor an unbeliever. They side with the quadariyya. They admit free will and human responsibility. According to the Mu’tazila god must act justly. He cannot repay humans with evil for good.
-
Al Ash’ari Doctorine teaches that god cannot be imagined according to the human categories of thought: that his hand, his face and his movements as mentioned in the Koran are to be understood. Furthermore, human beings are not completely free or unfree but acquire acts predestined for them and then are judged accordingly. Events occur to us to be following normal laws but in reality it is only the Divine Custom. The ash’arite view point reflects the religious or political dangers that have to be avoided and countered.
-
The belief is that god has never left the world without guidance either through prophets or scriptures. Not all prophets are mentioned in the Koran meaning that Buddha and Confucious can be considered prophets. Moreover revealed books according to the Koran include the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel and the Koran.
-
Angels play an important role in theology.
-
Gabriel plays the most important role, he is called “the trustworthy spirit”, and he conveyed the divine message to the prophet. Michael controls the forces of nature and the allotment of nourishment. All creatures including angels will die before doomsday. Israfil will be the first resurrected so that he can sound the trumpet to summon everyone for the day of judgement. Azra’il is the angel of death. He has 4000 wings, all beset with tongues and eyes. As soon as someone’s death is written on the tablet of Divine decrees, he grasps the person’s soul to tear it out, cruelly if the person is an infidel, but carefully when he takes out the soul of a believer. In the grave the dead person has to face two examiner angels, Munkar and Nakir, who interrogate him and if necessary punish him.
-
Angels constantly protect human beings and record good and bad deeds. The angel on the right records good deeds whiles the angel on the left records bad deeds. However the left angel hesitates before recording, and therefore if the sin is repented, it may never be recorded. Angels must act according to god’s orders. Nineteen angels serve as overseers of hell.
-
Muslims also believe in jinns, spiritual beings of undefined character, able to acknowledge and accept positive values and even of accepting Islam. Iblis the devil is regarded as the fallen angel or also as jinn since the Koran says the he like the jinn was made from fire. As he refuses to kneel before Adam, he was exiled from Paradise. He felt he was superior because fire is superior to clay. Moreover, he had has worshiped god from pre-eternity, some overstress his tauhid saying he could not kneel for anyone anything but god and did not recognize the divine breath that god blew into Adam
-
Iblis is the enemy of human beings and is an instrument of god. He is not completely anti divine.
-
On the day of judgement all human beings deeds are weighed on giant scales. The “sirat” is a bridge. It is thinner than a hair and as sharp as a sword. The infidel slips off the sirat into hell, while the believer will walk without difficulty to reach the eternal abode without suffering. Everybody is treated differently on the day of judgement. Some are treated roughly, while others are treated with mercy and kindness.
-
Those believing in God\s unity will be released from hell until nobody who has a single drop of faith in their hearts will be left in hell.
-
Sura 3/163 “Do not think that those slain for the sake of their lord are dead, rather they are alive with their lord”- interpretation that those slain for their faith will enter paradise without interrogation and will expect resurrection.
-
Mu’tazilles believes that “eternal punishment” is a true concept. The al-Ash’ari accused them of depriving people of god’s mercy.
Islamic Theology and Philosophy (Some information might be repeated) 172- 192 The Mu’tazilites”: Known as the people of justice and unity. Five points to Mu’tazilites 1) Unity (tawhid) God’s oneness is absolute. The Koran is eternal and God does not resemble his creation in any way 2) Justice” God is obliged to act justly, giving out rewards and punishment in strict accordance to each person’s performance 3) “The Promise and the threat. When god makes a promise, or issues a threat, he is bound to carry through with it. 4) Intermediate position: A grave sinner is neither a believer nor a non-believer. 5) Commanding the right and forbidding the wrong. It is a duty to oppose injustice if one has the ability.
Freedom and Determinism -
-
Jabriyya: Deny human beings have any power because everything is predestined by god. Ethical problem raised by determinism: If the ending has already been fixed, why should players put effort into the game? This turns the Koran into a mockery because notions of god’s justice cannot survive with this concept. Quaddariya are opponents of determinism: Human beings are in complete control over their destiny. Reports that it is supported by hadith but it has never been proven. Quadrates also use argument- human beings will be rewarded/ or punished according to their actions. If our deeds are not our own God is unjust to punish/reward. Therefore to believe that god is just requires corresponding belief in human freedom.
God’s Attributes -
-
God knows how to speak: god’s speech is tangible on earth- the Koran. The Koran on earth is a copy of the Koran in the heavens. Debate: is god\s speech created or an eternal uncreated attribute of god? If the Koran was uncreated, than the book is an eternal aspect of god. Some Theologians say that every syllable and sound is pre exiting and eternal. But on the other hand If speech was a created thing, might the Koran not be just a mere book subject to time and the environment of the earth? Choice between “ordinary book with extraordinary message, or physical manifestation of the eternal word of god?”
Anthropomorphism -
-
Problems when describing god When god is said to speak what does that mean? When we say god speaks or hears. Does that mean he has a mouth and ears? Also is god okay or generous when describing him with terms that are relevant to human beings Anthramorphists believe god has an actual body, body parts like the human body, but at the same time he does not resemble any other creature Others believe that descriptions put forward (theologians believe) are metaphoric. Example his throne is metaphoric for his superiority, god’s face his essence and his hands for grace. Mu’tazilites believe in the metaphors.
Faith and Works -
-
Issue in Muslim Community: Does a grave sinner remain a Muslim or did his sin remove him for the status of a Muslim. The Killers of Uthman justified their act on the basis of sins. Kharijites withdrew their support from Ali because of he submitted to human arbitration rather than supporting god. They would not follow his leadership because a grave sinner who fails to repent is not a Muslim. Thus kharijites established themselves as a secluded group identified by who could be a Muslim. The Murji’a has the opposite view believing who is Muslim and not Muslim is up for god to decide. Kharjites believe faith and works is the same thing. If a person commits deeds, they are not Muslim and therefore have no faith Murji’a believe that a person can commit bad deeds and can still be a Muslim- ultimately it is up for god Mu’tazilites compromise between the extremes If one does not confess with the tongue they are an unbeliever If one does not believe in the heart they are a hypocrite
If one does both but commits a grave win they are a sinner. Grave sinner is neither a believer nor an infidel, occupies no man’s land between. Sinner should be treated as member of the society but if they die unrepeated they go to hell.
The Sunni Consensus -
-
Those who follow the Sunna and the agreement of the community will be lead to salvation. The agreement of the community is what the prophet and his companions practised. Proph Mohammad stated that in his community there will always be some who possess the truth. He also stated that his community will never agree upon an error. To be Sunni one cannot be a qadrite advocate of free, nor a jabrite determinist, neither a kharijite nor a Murji’rite, neither a supporter of god’s attributes nor an anthropomorphist.. They represent what true Islam is not. Sunni fundamentals are traced back through hadith.
Prophecy and Revelation in Islamic Philosophy -
Prophecy same source of truth but without so much effort Prophecy is defined as special ability and revelation that happens within the prophet themselves. Prophets may be thought of as philosophers because they communicate the truth through metaphors that people can handle. Philosophers often are not clear and are unable to make themselves understood, which is why prophets were necessary, but philosophers can also be a source of revelation, but through a more painstaking method
-
-
Conflicts between Christianity and Islam enhanced by the fact that the Quran has many references to the life of Jesus Christ that contradict Christian belief - The Koran acknowledges the virgin birth but Jesus is referred to as the last great prophet before Prophet Mohammad and is not God’s son. Mary is one of the four best women that ever lived on earth never touched by Satan In the Quran the crucifixion is rejected. The Ahmadiyya sect states that Jesus wondered into Kashmir after someone was crucified in his place and died at a great age there. This is rejected by both Christians and Muslims Prophecies about the future appearance of Mohammad are found in several passages of the bible. Sura 61/6 speaks of Ahmad “the highly praised one”. This highly praised one Ahmad or Mohammad, was to bring the full and finite revelation.
-
The nature of Christ- so central in the dogmatic development of Christ- has influenced the development of Islamic dogma
-
Christian dogma of the bible “born not created” has influenced Islamic theory of the Quran which is regarded as the word of god
-
The Koran has the same position in Islamic dogmatics as has Christ in Christianity. It explains why theologians emphasized the “ummi” for Mohammad. The prophet had to sustain external knowledge for the world’s inlibration just as Mary had to be a virgin in order to be a pure vessel for the World’s incarnation. Basically theologians emphasize that the Quran is more than a book and hence the Muslim can pray.
-
It must be emphasized the high adoration of the Quran does not impair Mohammad’s position, he as the last prophet is elevated above all human beings
-
A problem with the Quran’s nature leads to some of the more important issues in Islamic dogmatics” character of Islam embraces both religion and the state: a fundamental question arises who is the leader of the community in prayer and war?
-
During battle of Siffin Ali faced his adversary Mu’awiya. The latter feared possible defeat ordered his soldiers to put pages of the Quran on their lances so the war will be
decided by god. Ali did the same, even though his victory was near, leading one group of Muslims to secede. Their question was “to what extent can the leader of the community was to be judged by his ethical qualities. The seceding party took sides against Ali as he had accepted human strategies instead of completely relying on god. The seceding party is called the kharjites and they believe that a person who commits a major sin is no longer Muslim and deserve eternal punishment in hell. Major sins include idolatry, witchcraft, and murder, embezzlement of the good of orphans, usury, dissertation and the rape of a Muslim woman. -
These non-conformist Kharijites consist of a group of small believers who fought against those who seem too lax and went to extremes in applying koranic command to “order the good and restrain people from doing evil”. They felt they were the only true believers and others with their lukewarm attitudes had to be killed. They felt this duty should be administered by only impeccable Muslims even if he is a slave.
-
Murjites are the opposite of kharjites. They believe judgement is solely left to god. Faith can neither diminish nor increase by the works but is the matter of the heart. Even a grave sinner is not an infidel and does not deserve eternal hell.
-
Mohammad said that ever group can find verses in the Koran and hadith that support their views
-
Jabrites believe that everything is predestined, even to the smallest details. On the other hand Quadrites believe all human beings have the capacity to make their own decisions and are thus completely responsible.
-
Between the kharijites and Murjites developed the Mu’tazila those who take an intermediate attitude concerning the grave sinner: he is neither a believer nor an unbeliever. They side with the quadariyya. They admit free will and human responsibility. According to the Mu’tazila god must act justly. He cannot repay humans with evil for good.
-
Al Ash’ari Doctorine teaches that god cannot be imagined according to the human categories of thought: that his hand, his face and his movements as mentioned in the Koran are to be understood. Furthermore, human beings are not completely free or unfree but acquire acts predestined for them and then are judged accordingly. Events occur to us to be following normal laws but in reality it is only the Divine Custom. The ash’arite view point reflects the religious or political dangers that have to be avoided and countered.
-
The belief is that god has never left the world without guidance either through prophets or scriptures. Not all prophets are mentioned in the Koran meaning that Buddha and Confucious can be considered prophets. Moreover revealed books according to the Koran include the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel and the Koran.
-
Angels play an important role in theology.
-
Gabriel plays the most important role, he is called “the trustworthy spirit”, and he conveyed the divine message to the prophet. Michael controls the forces of nature and the allotment of nourishment. All creatures including angels will die before doomsday. Israfil will be the first resurrected so that he can sound the trumpet to summon everyone for the day of judgement. Azra’il is the angel of death. He has 4000 wings, all beset with tongues and eyes. As soon as someone’s death is written on the tablet of Divine decrees, he grasps the person’s soul to tear it out, cruelly if the person is an infidel, but carefully when he takes out the soul of a believer. In the grave the dead person has to face two examiner angels, Munkar and Nakir, who interrogate him and if necessary punish him.
-
Angels constantly protect human beings and record good and bad deeds. The angel on the right records good deeds whiles the angel on the left records bad deeds. However the left angel hesitates before recording, and therefore if the sin is repented, it may never be recorded. Angels must act according to god’s orders. Nineteen angels serve as overseers of hell.
-
Muslims also believe in jinns, spiritual beings of undefined character, able to acknowledge and accept positive values and even of accepting Islam. Iblis the devil is regarded as the fallen angel or also as jinn since the Koran says the he like the jinn was made from fire. As he refuses to kneel before Adam, he was exiled from Paradise. He felt he was superior because fire is superior to clay. Moreover, he had has worshiped god from pre-eternity, some overstress his tauhid saying he could not kneel for anyone anything but god and did not recognize the divine breath that god blew into Adam
-
Iblis is the enemy of human beings and is an instrument of god. He is not completely anti divine.
-
On the day of judgement all human beings deeds are weighed on giant scales. The “sirat” is a bridge. It is thinner than a hair and as sharp as a sword. The infidel slips off the sirat into hell, while the believer will walk without difficulty to reach the eternal abode without suffering. Everybody is treated differently on the day of judgement. Some are treated roughly, while others are treated with mercy and kindness.
-
Those believing in God\s unity will be released from hell until nobody who has a single drop of faith in their hearts will be left in hell.
-
Sura 3/163 “Do not think that those slain for the sake of their lord are dead, rather they are alive with their lord”- interpretation that those slain for their faith will enter paradise without interrogation and will expect resurrection.
-
Mu’tazilles believes that “eternal punishment” is a true concept. The al-Ash’ari accused them of depriving people of god’s mercy.
Islamic Theology and Philosophy (Some information might be repeated) 172- 192 The Mu’tazilites”: Known as the people of justice and unity. Five points to Mu’tazilites 1) Unity (tawhid) God’s oneness is absolute. The Koran is eternal and God does not resemble his creation in any way 2) Justice” God is obliged to act justly, giving out rewards and punishment in strict accordance to each person’s performance 3) “The Promise and the threat. When god makes a promise, or issues a threat, he is bound to carry through with it. 4) Intermediate position: A grave sinner is neither a believer nor a non-believer. 5) Commanding the right and forbidding the wrong. It is a duty to oppose injustice if one has the ability.
Freedom and Determinism -
-
Jabriyya: Deny human beings have any power because everything is predestined by god. Ethical problem raised by determinism: If the ending has already been fixed, why should players put effort into the game? This turns the Koran into a mockery because notions of god’s justice cannot survive with this concept. Quaddariya are opponents of determinism: Human beings are in complete control over their destiny. Reports that it is supported by hadith but it has never been proven. Quadrates also use argument- human beings will be rewarded/ or punished according to their actions. If our deeds are not our own God is unjust to punish/reward. Therefore to believe that god is just requires corresponding belief in human freedom.
God’s Attributes -
-
God knows how to speak: god’s speech is tangible on earth- the Koran. The Koran on earth is a copy of the Koran in the heavens. Debate: is god\s speech created or an eternal uncreated attribute of god? If the Koran was uncreated, than the book is an eternal aspect of god. Some Theologians say that every syllable and sound is pre exiting and eternal. But on the other hand If speech was a created thing, might the Koran not be just a mere book subject to time and the environment of the earth? Choice between “ordinary book with extraordinary message, or physical manifestation of the eternal word of god?”
Anthropomorphism -
-
Problems when describing god When god is said to speak what does that mean? When we say god speaks or hears. Does that mean he has a mouth and ears? Also is god okay or generous when describing him with terms that are relevant to human beings Anthramorphists believe god has an actual body, body parts like the human body, but at the same time he does not resemble any other creature Others believe that descriptions put forward (theologians believe) are metaphoric. Example his throne is metaphoric for his superiority, god’s face his essence and his hands for grace. Mu’tazilites believe in the metaphors.
Faith and Works -
-
Issue in Muslim Community: Does a grave sinner remain a Muslim or did his sin remove him for the status of a Muslim. The Killers of Uthman justified their act on the basis of sins. Kharijites withdrew their support from Ali because of he submitted to human arbitration rather than supporting god. They would not follow his leadership because a grave sinner who fails to repent is not a Muslim. Thus kharijites established themselves as a secluded group identified by who could be a Muslim. The Murji’a has the opposite view believing who is Muslim and not Muslim is up for god to decide. Kharjites believe faith and works is the same thing. If a person commits deeds, they are not Muslim and therefore have no faith Murji’a believe that a person can commit bad deeds and can still be a Muslim- ultimately it is up for god Mu’tazilites compromise between the extremes If one does not confess with the tongue they are an unbeliever If one does not believe in the heart they are a hypocrite
If one does both but commits a grave win they are a sinner. Grave sinner is neither a believer nor an infidel, occupies no man’s land between. Sinner should be treated as member of the society but if they die unrepeated they go to hell.
The Sunni Consensus -
-
Those who follow the Sunna and the agreement of the community will be lead to salvation. The agreement of the community is what the prophet and his companions practised. Proph Mohammad stated that in his community there will always be some who possess the truth. He also stated that his community will never agree upon an error. To be Sunni one cannot be a qadrite advocate of free, nor a jabrite determinist, neither a kharijite nor a Murji’rite, neither a supporter of god’s attributes nor an anthropomorphist.. They represent what true Islam is not. Sunni fundamentals are traced back through hadith.
Prophecy and Revelation in Islamic Philosophy -
Prophecy same source of truth but without so much effort Prophecy is defined as special ability and revelation that happens within the prophet themselves. Prophets may be thought of as philosophers because they communicate the truth through metaphors that people can handle. Philosophers often are not clear and are unable to make themselves understood, which is why prophets were necessary, but philosophers can also be a source of revelation, but through a more painstaking method
