Wahdat E Ummat

Islamic studies: Faith & Moral Code

Prof. Awadh Amir Binhazim

Is there an Islamic world view?

The Islamic world view • The faith of Islam is centered on two important paradigms; matters of belief (eeman) and moral code (akhlaaq). These paradigms form the matrix of Islam and shape the world view of Muslims across the globe. • The course will examine the foundations of the Islamic creed relative to the morals of a Muslim and how these two teachings are intertwined to fulfill what is obligatory upon the believer.

Just ask yourself ¾ Do I know what Muslims

believe in? ¾ Our understanding maybe based on assumptions

Have you heard? „ „ „ „

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Muslim submit to the mullah They believe in the moon god “Allah” The terror 5 Pillars of Islam include…. Allegiance to Islam forbids him to make friends with Christians… They marry 4 women!

• There women are not allowed to speak

Lifesaving patrol in Sydney Australia

• swimsuit dubbed the Burqini (as in burqa plus bikini) hit the international market in January 2007, devout Muslim women have been snapping them up

Is the dress driven by what the faith mandates?

Faith (Aqeedah) „What do people mean by

the word FAITH?

A world of faith……

A world of faith in Asia • Indonesia/Malaysia

A survey taken by Shanghai University declared dramatically 300 million Muslims!

Niujie Mosque, Beijing, 950 CE

Study plan „ „ „

Islamic Creed known as Aqeedah Moral Code of Islam known as Akhlaaq Based on the 2 sources of Islam The Quran which is the book of Allah „ The Sunnah - practice and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (to whom be peace) „

AQEEDAH: definition and explanation „ „ „ „ „

Aqeedah – singular / Aqaaid – plural The things which people’s hearts affirm and believe in, the things they accept (as true) These are matters which are held as certain beliefs with no doubt Linguistically - derived from the word A Q D Means adherence, certainty, and affirmation

‫ﻋﻘﻴﺪة‬ ‫عقد‬

The Term „

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In Arabic, one states,"Aqada the rope“(Aqada Alhabl) - when the rope is tied firmly. "Aqada the sale" or "He settled the sale" when the person ratifies and contracts a sale or agreement. The Quranic verse: "But He will take you to task for

the oaths which you swear in earnest (Arabic aqadtum) [5:89] which means asserted and adhered to.

….. َ‫…ﻋَﻘﱠﺪﺗﱡ ُﻢ اﻷَﻳْﻤَﺎن‬. If one says, "Aqadtu such and such," it means his heart is firm upon such and such.

„It means - The firm

creed that one's heart is fixed upon without any wavering or doubt.

„ What are the general concepts that the

heart of the believer must be firm about?

The answer „ „

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These are the "pillars" of the faith. One will not be called a believer just by knowing and understanding these pillars but he must come to the level where he/she submits and implements what is described. The theologians call this great subject „

"the root of the religion"

Aqeedah is a matter of knowledge of the heart „ Not a practical matter „ Known from knowledge of what Allah

(God ) has informed us „ Basic principles of Aqeedah – Allah commands us to believe what He has told us in the Quran

The verse of Aqeedah „

The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His books, and His messengers. (They say), “we make no distinction between one another of His messengers” and they say, “We hear, and we obey. (We seek) your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all) [Quran 2:285]

Aqeedah can have no doubt „

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Only those are the believers who have believed in Allah and his messenger, and afterwards doubt not…. (Quran 49:15) This is the Book (the Qur’an) whereof there is no doubt (Quran 2:2) “Our Lord! Verily, it is You who will gather mankind together on the day about which there is no doubt…. (Quran 3:9)

Issues of Aqeedah are invisible „

Muslims are required to believe in Unseen matters „ Not visible, not tangible things „ E.g. choosing messengers and revelation – unseen matters „

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Allah praises the believers in the Quran Who believe in the unseen (Ghayb) …. „ Ghayb means a thing not seen not only about beliefs but also news of the past, the future, about creation, heavens & earth . „

Correct Aqeedah „

The Aqeedah was the same throughout time

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All messengers brought the same teachings

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Islamic world view: false Aqeedah or belief is a product of human thought and intellect

Relationship between Aqeedah and faith (eeman) „ „

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Aqeedah is the foundation and basis of eeman Once it takes firm roots – actions must conform to the dictates of the Aqeedah Eeman is 2 parts: Acknowledge that Allah exists „ Adheres to the ways laid down by Allah „

Aqeedah and Actions „Inseparable and go hand

in hand

„ It is incumbent upon a believer

to pay attention to the deeds that Allah has enjoined upon

First belief „The first principle of

Aqeedah is belief in Allah

Q & A session „ Remember to visit our website „ www.olivetreeeducation.org