1. Masumeen Islamic Centre
Classes on Theology
Sheikh Jaffer H. Jaffer
Masumeen Islamic Centre
April 10th, 2012
Week Nine

2. Justice of God Last week we discussed: This week we discuss:
Three philosophies for the salvation of non-Muslims:
Religious Pluralism, Perennialism and the Islamic View
This week we discuss:
Free Will and Determinism (Pre-destination)

3. Justice of God Al-Jabr (fatalism) Jahm ibn Safwan (d. 128H - 745)
No action is attributed to humans literally, rather all actions are only attributed to God
Clear issues with this school of thought

4. Justice of God At-Tafweedh – Free Will Wasil bin ‘Ata (700-748)
Founder of the Mu’tazili School of Thought
Five main pillars:
Tawheed (Oneness of God)
Adalat (Divine Justice)
Al Wa’d wa al Wa’id (promise and threat)
Al-Manzilah Bayna al-Manzilatayn– the intermediate position
Al Amr bil Ma’ruf wa Nahi anil Munkar (Enjoining the good and forbidding the evil)
Complete Free Will
Allah SWT hands over the authority of all actions to the people

5. Justice of God Al-Kasb – Acquisition Abu Hasan al Ash’ari (874-936)
Founder of the Ash’ari School of Thought
The actions of the people are in reality created by Allah SWT; the people simply acquire these actions from Allah SWT – Iktisaab (acquisition)
Classify the power to do an action into Qadimah (original) and Hadithah (derived)
Man is given power by God so man’s power is derived (hadithah)
As such God is the creator of human actions and man only has power of acquisition

6. Justice of God Amrun bayna Amrayn (A way between two ways)
وَ قَالَ الصَّادِقُ ع لَا جَبْرَ وَ لَا تَفْوِيضَ بَلْ أَمْرٌ بَيْنَ أَمْرَيْن
There is no doubt that God must know everything
There is no doubt that we are free to a certain extent to do what we like
Story of standing on one leg

7. Justice of God Answering some doubts:
If Allah SWT is completely aware of our actions; isn’t everything determined?
Isn’t there are clear contradiction between Divine Will and Human will?
Our decisions and actions are based on internal and intrinsic tendencies.
Science has proved that our environment and social surroundings dictates what actions and decisions we will make

8. Questions?