Islam At Cross Roads

Question 1

The sunnah is the_____ _______ of the house of Islam. And thus, If you remove the ________ of a building, don’t be surprised if it falls.

Answer 1

Iron framework

Framework

Question 2

What is sunnah?

Answer 2

Attitude, actions and sayings of the prophet

Question 3

What distinguishes Islam from other religions?

Answer 3

Complete harmony between the material and moral aspects of human life.
Islam brought the message that earth need not be despised in order that heaven be gained

Question 4

Assad said that what practice of Muslims doesn’t show a deep understanding of Islam?

Answer 4

To follow the spiritual and devotional but not the aspects concerned with social and daily life.

Question 5

Explain what he means by life being a compound entity

Answer 5

Sum total of moral and practical, individual and social manifestations.

Question 6

What is the ONLY binding source of law other than the quaran?

Answer 6

Sunnah.

Question 7

Why does Assad say that God Intended sunnah to be followed?

Answer 7

The Quran doesn’t answer all questions for a reason- so the prophet, as the messenger, must serve as a realizable source of allahs will.

Question 8

What is Ahadith?

Why is it authentic?

Answer 8

Traditions, and sayings of the prophet as told by his companions.
Rigorous test more so then any western authentication - complete science has been evolved with the sole object being reaserch into the meaning, the form, and the way of transmission of Hadith.

Question 9

What are the two grounds for attacking Hadith and why are they wrong?

What is the true reason for denying?

Answer 9

Willful lie by the companions - nearly impossible as the psychological effect the prophet had on them was too high.

Lapse in memory or hearing - Atleast two, possibly three transmitters had to verify.

Emotional - the western mode of life and the prophets actions, sayings and teachings can not be reconciled

Question 10

What is the difference between reason and rationalism?

Answer 10

The role of reason in religious matters is a registration apparatus saying yes or no.

Rationalism jumps into the field of speculation, doesn’t even allow for the fact that the human mind has limitations.

Question 11

Why does rationalism not work for religious understanding and makes Hadith so important?

Answer 11

Human mind cannot understand totality- eternity for example. And thus, we are morally and intellectually bound to follow the messenger