Fundamentals of Islamic Studies Flashcards
What are the 2 main reasons Allah revealed to man his godly name and attributes?
- So that man may know who Allah is
2. So man does not confuse the attributes of creation with that of Allah
When man confuses the attributes of creation with the attributes of Allah, what happens?
man ends up deifying creation
In which ways is the human mind limited that Allah mercifully decided to reveal his godly attributes?
it is limited in knowledge and scope
If the human mind is limited in knowledge and scope, what is impossible for the human mind to understand?
its impossible to understand something in which has no limits
what is the essence and basis of idolatry in all forms?
deification of creation
who were the mutazilites?
a rationalist islamic grew from modern day Iraq who is known for misunderstanding the attribute of God known as ‘Al-Uloo’
What does ‘Al -Uloo’ mean in English?
Highness or Transcendence
What does ‘Al -Uloo’ mean in reference to Allah?
That Allah is high above and beyond his creation
Is Allah part of creation in any way?
He is not a part of the created world nor is it a
part of Him. In fact, His Being is totally distinct and separate from His creation.
If Allah is separate from Creation, does that mean that Allah has no influence over creation?
His attributes function without restriction in His creation. He sees,
hears and knows all, and He is the prime cause of all the happens within the
worlds of creation. Nothing happens without His will.
How is the islamic concept of Allah’s relationship to creation both Unitarian and dualistic at the same time?
It is dualistic in the sense that Allah is Allah and creation is creation. They are two separate entities, where one is not the other nor are both one.
It is unitarian because all of
the universe and its contents were created by Allaah alone. All created beings and
entities are the product of the same Creator, and, as such, are constructed from the
same elemental substances, which are the building blocks of “nature”
How did Christians stray away from the proper understanding of ‘Al-Uloo’?
Christians claimed
that Allah had come to the earth and became flesh and blood in the form of man,
How did the Jews stray away from the proper understanding of ‘Al-Uloo’?
The Jews claimed that Allah came down to earth in the form of a man and lost in
a wrestling match with Prophet Yaqoob (Jacob).
How did the Persians stray away from the proper understanding of ‘Al-Uloo’?
The Persians regarded their
kings as gods endowed with all of Allaah’s attributes, and, consequently, they
worshipped them directly
How did the Hindus stray away from the proper understanding of ‘Al-Uloo’?
The Hindus believed that Brahman, the supreme
Being, was in every place and in everything so they worshipped countless idols,
human beings and even animals as personifications of Brahman.
