
Module Information
Name of Class |
Names & Attributes of Allah
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Credit Hours
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3 Hours |
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Class Description
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This course covers ‘Aqeedah topics not covered in the first two semesters as presented in the oldest and most classical work on the Islamic creed from the 9th century. |
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Instructor Name
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Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips
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Required Text |
Bilal Philips, Abu Jafer at-Tahawe / Ali ibn Abil-‘Izz (Trans. Syed Iqbal Zaheer), The Fundamentals of Islamic Creed,
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Supplementary Text |
Ali ibn Abil-‘Izz (Trans. Dr Muhammad ‘Abdul Haqq Ansari), Commentary on the Creeed of at-Tahawi,
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Objectives
- To provide students with an opportunity to worship Almighty Allah through studying Aqeedah in depth
- To enable the student to understand the rules governing the principles of the Islamic creed.
- To further develop the basic belief in revelation found in both the Qur’aan and Sunnah.
- To develop the student’s basic knowledge of the first Pillar of Faith: Belief in the Prophet and the proofs for his prophethood.
- To enable students to comprehend the significance of the Status of the Community and the importance of adhering to it.
- To teach students about the position of faith between the principle of hope and fear and its significance.
- To clarify for students how they may benefit the dead through acts of worship and the concept of supplication and divine response.
Topics Covered
Introduction
- Biography of Imaam at-Tahaawee and ‘Alee ibn Abil-‘Izz,
- Introduction to the text,
- its historical significance, its methodology,
- its acceptance in the world of Muslim scholarship
Nothing is Similar to Him
- forms the basis of Tawheed al-Asmaa was-Sifaat
- also for the other two categories of Tawheed
Belief in the Messenger
- ‘Uboodiyyah the highest state,
- basis for the greatness of the prophets,
- distinguishing false prophets from true prophets,
- Finality of the Prophethood - evidences
- Leadership -blind following due only to the Prophet (pbuh
Superiority of the Prophet
- evidences,
- resolution of conflict with other narrations;
- Sent to Humankind and the Jinn – evidences.
Beloved of God or Friend
- claims and evidences;
- Allah took Abraham as a Friend
- Allah’s love and those who deny it.
Excommunication (Takfeer)
- No one from Ahlul-Qiblah declared a disbeliever for committing a sin unless he considers it lawful.
Salvation lies between hope and fear
- Ten reasons for forgiveness of sin;
- False security and despair – the consequences.
The Sunnah and the Community
- their importance, and adherence;
Loving the Just and Hating the Tyrants
- loving for the sake of Allah and loving Allah;
Allah knows best
- speaking about the religion without knowledge
Wiping on socks during Wudoo
- a creedal issue from fiqh due to the basis of Shee’ah rejection.
Human Ability
- The power needed to perform a duty is a gift from Allah and not an attribute possessed by humans and exists only with the action
- Human actions Created by Allah – and acquired by human beings.
- Allah only imposes actions which human beings can do – and everything happens according to His will
Supplication for the dead
- evidences for the dead profiting from religious acts of the living,
- evidences against,
- the rationale,
- reading Qur’aan.
Allah Responds
- Allah answers prayers and fulfills needs
- Evidences
- doubts
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