Islamic Theology

Q: What are the key areas of Muslim doctrine?

Allah Al-lah literally means “the God” or “the deity” God is one (tawhid) God does not have partners (shirk) God is not personally known; rather he is transcendent, far away and removed Hence, what does it mean for a Muslim to know God? His will and law are made known

99 Names of God Attributes revealed by 99 names All seeing, all hearing, almighty, creator, sustainer, forgiving, just, unique, first and last. 99 names do not originate from Quran or Hadith but compiled by scholars

99 Names of God Every sura begins with bismallah rahman wa rahmin (“in the name of God the benevolent and merciful”) Consider names (Braswell, 46; Swartley, 469-71)

Angels (malikut) Invisible beings who execute the commands of God. May reside anywhere in the universe. Have no physical (food, drink, sleep) or material needs. Not superior to humans Most famous angel is Gabriel (Jibril) Has appeared to the prophets Last revelation was to Muhammad in 610

Other Angels Michael Israfil Izraeil Angel of providence Guardian of the Jews Israfil Summoner of the resurrection Izraeil Angel of death Every individual has two angels assigned to them

Spirits (jinn/jinuun) Intelligent beings, usually invisible There are good Muslim jinn Bad non-Muslim jinn which lead the righteous away from good deeds. Some Muslim scholars see Satan (iblis; shatan) as a jinn When Muhammad received his first visions, he feared he was being attacked by a bad jinn. Note the emphasis on the spirit world

Prophets (nabi/nabiyeen) To every people was sent a messenger: when their messenger comes before them, the matter will be judged between them with justice and they will not be wronged.” (Sura 10:47)

Prophets (nabi/nabiyeen) The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah - the which We have sent by inspiration to thee - and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him). (Sura 42:13)

Prophets Succession of prophets (nabi, rasul) between Adam and Muhammad Prophets were those of good model behavior and virtue Truth Honesty Conveying the message from God Intelligence Between Adam and Muhammad there are 124,000 prophets

Prophets Quran mentions 25 prophets Abraham Noah- God’s preacher Most of which are found in Bible Abraham The first hanif or monotheist; friend of God Noah- God’s preacher Moses- Speaker with God Muhammad- Apostle of God

Jesus Behold! the angels said: "O Mary! Allah gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah (Sura 3:45)

Jesus Mentioned 97 times in Quran: Messiah Word of God Spirit of God Speech of Truth Born of the virgin Mary (Isa ibn Miriam) Performed miracles as a child God raised him up to heaven

Muhammad The last prophet As the messages and writings of the earlier prophets had become corrupted. Muhammad came to update, clarify.

Holy Books (kutub) Muslims refer to Christians and Jews as “people of the book” (ahhl kitab) Four holy books in Islam Torah Zabur (Psalms) Injil (New Testament) Quran As the prophets’ testimony had become corrupted so were their holy books (mharraf; tahreef)

Quran Hence the Quran updates and corrects any false teachings of the prior books Quran Created or uncreated? Al-Ghazali, “God and his word are one.”

Day of Judgment (yom al-qiyama) God is a judge and will bring this world and life to an end in judgment. Many will despair on the day of judgment. All who have died will be brought to life by a trumpet to stand judgment.

Day of Judgment (yom al-qiyama) People will ask the prophets to intercede for them before Allah. Yet even Muhammad’s intercession cannot change God’s mind. The Book of Deeds will open with a scale of justice. The members of our body will speak up to testify against us.

Paradise The reward for Muslims who follow the straight path. Satan is banished. A place of beauty, absence of sin, pain, sorrow Even physical and sensual pleasure Some disputed hadith are graphic: rivers of wine and virgins

Paradise Only Muslims will go to paradise Soldiers and martyrs have a special place In Muhammad’s day, spreading Islam through jihad Khomeini’s influence on Iranian teenage boys. Assurance of paradise? Though one can follow the straight path, paradise is not assured. Allah’s qadar (determinism) ultimately decides where one will end up.

Hell Graphically presented as a place of burning and suffering No original sin, so everyone is there by his own doing. Majority of those in hell are women!