Basic Understanding of Islam & Key Figures
What does Muslim mean?
A Muslim is someone who submits to the will of God in Islam.
What are some tips to not doubt your faith?
Stay connected to your faith through prayer, seek knowledge, talk to trusted scholars, and strengthen your spiritual practices.
What does Ilm-al-Kalam mean?
It means "the science of theology," focusing on rational arguments to defend religious beliefs.
Who was Abu Al Hasan al-Ash'ari?
He was a prominent Islamic scholar who defended Sunni Islam and developed the Ash'ari school of theology.
What do philosophers and theologians strive for?
Both philosophers and theologians strive for wisdom and understanding of truth.
Who was Abu Hamid al-Ghazali?
He was a famous philosopher, theologian, and mystic who helped strengthen Islamic beliefs, particularly against skeptics.
What does it mean to have faith in something?
To have faith means to strongly believe in something, even without physical evidence.
What is theology?
Theology is the study of God and religious beliefs.
What contributions did Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal make?
He was a key figure in Islamic jurisprudence, known for his strict adherence to the Qur'an and Hadith, and he founded the Hanbali school of law.
Does Muslim expansion affect the faith of Muslims?
Muslim expansion spread Islam but also influenced different cultures and practices, which affected how Islam was understood in various regions.
When did Imam Ghazali die?
He died in 1111 CE.
What differentiates belief from knowing for a fact?
Belief is trusting in something without complete proof, while knowing for a fact is having clear, undeniable evidence.
What refers to “The First Cause”?
It refers to the idea that everything in the universe has a cause, and there must be a first cause (usually identified as God).
When was Abu Mansur al-Maturidi born?
He was born around 853 CE.
How can Islamic theology be both rational and based on faith?
Islamic theology is both rational and based on faith as it uses reason to support and explain beliefs while acknowledging that certain truths, like the existence of God and the afterlife, are matters of faith beyond full human comprehension.
When was Abu Al Hasan al-Ash’ari born?
He was born in 874 CE.
Does Islam respond positively or negatively to doubts?
Islam encourages seeking knowledge to resolve doubts, but it also teaches that faith requires trust in God.
What is the importance of Ilm Ul-Kalam?
Ilm Ul-Kalam is important because it helps defend and explain Islamic beliefs using reason and logic, especially against doubts and challenges.
What was Imam Ghazali’s career highlight?
His career highlight was writing "The Incoherence of the Philosophers," where he critiqued philosophers and strengthened Islamic theology.
What does delve mean in the context of research?
To delve means to investigate deeply into a topic or question.
Who is a Mutakallim?
What should one do if they are doubtful of Islam?
Who is a philosopher?
A philosopher seeks knowledge and understanding of fundamental concepts like existence, reason, and ethics.
Who defended Islam from doubters?
Scholars like Abu Al Hasan al-Ash'ari and Abu Hamid al-Ghazali defended Islam, arguing against doubts and misunderstandings.
How did Imam Ghazali's work The Incoherence of the Philosophers challenge the views of Islamic philosophers and strengthen Islamic theology?
Imam Ghazali's The Incoherence of the Philosophers criticized the rationalist philosophy of his time, particularly the views of thinkers like Avicenna, arguing that certain philosophical ideas, such as the eternity of the world, contradicted Islamic teachings. He reinforced Islamic theology by asserting that reason must be aligned with divine revelation, emphasizing faith in matters beyond human comprehension.