Islamic Scholarly Tradition
Assignment 1
1. What are the 4 dimensions of understanding deen?
In order to understand the Deen, we must:
1-Understand, study, reflect, and ponder upon issues of imaan
-Objects of belief
Iman is a belief and feeling, heart accepts it and tongue testify and action beautifies it.
Iman is to believe in unseen
(surah husjart ayat 14 says)
˹Some of˺ the nomadic Arabs say, “We believe.” Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “You have not believed. But
say, ‘We have submitted,’ for faith has not yet entered your hearts.1 But if you obey Allah and
His Messenger ˹wholeheartedly˺, He will not discount anything from ˹the reward of˺ your deeds.
Allah is truly All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
■ Iman
Belief
■ Islam
Practice
■ Ihsaan
Feelings
■ End of times
Cognition of the timeline of society
■ All three are important and integral to being Muslim. Islam is a complete way of life
2.Understand, study, reflect, and ponder upon issues of Islam
■ Pillars of Islam:-
When someone asked prophet Muhammad PBUH What is Islam he pbuh said-
1.Shadah/Kalimah
{Testify that there is not god but Allah swt and Muhamad pbuh is the messenger of Allah]
2. Pray
3. Fast
4. Zkahat
5. Hajj
3-Understand, study, reflect, and ponder upon issues of Ihsaan
-Perfection of worship
Ibadah is something which makes humans good and he enables himself to ponder upon things
which has been given to him.
The goal of worship/slah is to remember Allah swt.
Allah swt don't need our prayer as human we need to pray for ourself to get ease here and
hereafter.
4-Understand, study, reflect, and ponder upon issues of the End of times
- Social Reality...
There are few sign of qiyamah listed below-
ZINA, RIBA, ALCOHOL,MUSIC
The goal of a muslim must be to attain jannah. A mu'min should not run after worldly things
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2. Briefly, describe what tools are required for interpretation of the Quran/hadith?
There are two types of Interpretation tools-
– Literal- Which can be understood by just looking at the words
– Metaphorical- An upheaval of social order
The one who is giving interpretation must not be a random person as if everybody starts
interpatient it will create a mass. The one who is well qualified and has knowledge of Quran and
hadith can turn the knob.
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3. According to the scholars, what are the 4 positions of Iman? Explain each in one line.
There are 4 position of iman -
1. Heart- It is the main home which verifies that this is the true feeling or the religion. Abu talib
were aware of the truth but did not recite kalma.
2. Tongue- To convey the message, say it by tongue. People who recite kalamah but don't
believe by heart are called munafiq.
3. Heart + tongue- Once heart and tongue have verified the truth, it now needs to be reflected
by the action.
4. Heart + tongue + Action = Firm Iman
Our action must be according to our religion
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4. How do scholars reconcile with the 4 positions to understand the final position of Iman?
Heart
|
Heart + Tongue +Action --- Iman--- Tongue
|
Heart + Tongue
5. What are the 4 different ways we can understand Islam?
Literal liguisting meaning-Islam means to submit- submission of creation to its creator
1.Practice
2. Worship
3. Action
4. Ibadah
4 different ways we can understand Islam............
1..
Submission of creation to its creator
Human,Animal,animate object,moon ect.
2
SubMission to the message broUght by all messenger
From Adam AS to last messenger Prophet PBUH
3
Submissions to the message brought by prophet pbuh
It refers to totality of quran and sunnah
4
Submissions to practical level
Personal level of practice of this religion
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6. Briefly write about the importance of intention.
Making good intention before doing anything is very important for a muslim most of the hadith
books start with the hadith....
The Prophet (sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, “Actions are only according to intentions,
Even a trivial good deed with great intentions can lead us to have great reward {more then 700
as per the intention and deed}.
a daily act can become ibadah if one makes good intentions.
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7. What is the difference between true knowledge and ideology?
An intelligent person will need either knowledge or ideology
an unintelligent person won't need nether.
Knowledge- means islamic law and legal theory and how it had unfold in last 1400 years
Ideology - Own perceived idea with or without solid Islamic knowledge.
Knowledge =
1 Read first, form a position later
2 Stress the use of ilm with Aql [reason]
3 Other position may be valid
4 Don't disagree before you have understood it
Ideological approach=
1 Position first, read later to find support
2 Use aql even if you don't have ilm.
3 Only I am correct
4 Don't agree with something before you have understood
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