ISB 359 ISLAMIC THEOLOGY

CONTACT HOUR: 04
LECTURER:
AFFENDI ISMAIL
Academy of Islamic Contemporary Studies
(ACIS), UiTM

STRUCTURE AND CONTENT

OF SYLLABUS

Chapter 1:
Introduction: Basic Terminologies and Concepts.
Human, the universe and the need for religion
Al-Din al-Islamy (Islamic Religion): Aqidah, Sharia
and Akhlak
Meaning and Connection of Iman-Islam-Ihsan
Terminologies Usuluddin: Ilm al-Tawhid (Theology)
and Ilm al-Kalam (Scholastic)
Characteristics of Islamic Aqidah (Belief/Faith)
The important of Islamic Aqidah (Belief/Faith)
in Economic and Finance

 Chapter 2:
Islamic Approach and Methodologies in The
Study of Aqidah.
The Metaphysics/Unseen World (al-Alam alGhaibiyyah) and the present/Seen World (al-Alam alSyahadah)
Knowledge and Research Methodologies in Islamic
Aqidah
Al-Taqlid in Aqidah
Quranic approach in the study of Aqidah
Theologian/Scholastic Approach (al-Mutakallimin) in
the study of Aqidah

 Chapter 3:
Different Groups and Schools of Thought in Islamic
Aqidah.
Chapter 4:
Al-Tawhid (Monotheism)
Chapter 5:
Remaining Pillars of Iman
Chapter 6:
The Corruppters of Islamic Aqidah (al- Riddah/alSyirk/al-Kufr)
Chapter 7:
Contemporary Ideologies and School of Thought
(Atheism, Darwinism, Feudalism, Secularism,
Maxism etc)

Teaching Methodology
Lecturer
Student Discussion
Assingment
Presentation

Assessment
Course Work
Test 1:
10%
Test 2:
10%
Assingments: 20%
Presentation: 10%
Final Exam:
50%

Chapter 1:

Introduction: Basic
Terminologies and Concepts

1.1: Human, the Universe and

the need of Religion

Human
Verily We created
Man from a drop of
mingled sperm, in
order to try him: So
We gave him (the
gifts), of Hearing and
Sight.

It has been a great pleasure

for me to help clarify
statements in the Quran
about human development.
It is clear to me that these
statements must have come
to Muhammad from God,
because almost all of this
knowledge was not
Keith Leon Moore (born 5 October
discovered until many
1925 in Brantford, Ontario) is a
centuries later. This provesprofessor emeritus in the division of
to me that Muhammad must
anatomy, in the Faculty of Surgery, at
have been a messenger of the University of Toronto, Ontario,
God. Professor Emeritus Canada
Keith L. Moore

The Islamic Conception

Of Man
Man is at once the slave of God - Allah (al`abd) and His vice-gerent on earth (khalfat
Allh fi'l - ard.)
Man is not an animal which happens to
speak and think but a being who possesses
a soul and spirit created by God.

 Man is the crown of creation (ashraf almakhlqt); but he has not evolved from
the lower forms of life (as Theory of
Darwinism). Man has always been man.


)(5 )(6
)(at-Thariq: 5-7

 Man is the only creation on earth that has the

potential to explore and investigate the universe as
well as the flora and fauna.
Among all creations in the heaven and earth, only man
has been bestowed with many distinctive qualities. As
the recipient of these distinctive qualities from Allah
the Almighty, man is placed on the highest pedestal in
the hierarchy of creations.
Man has been created in the best of forms (The
Quran, 95:1-4), provided with the creative intelligence
(The Quran, 2:31-34), given the power of speech and
freedom of choice (The Quran, 55:4; 76: 3).

 The Islamic man possesses the possibility of

inner knowledge : the knowledge of his own inner
being, which is in fact the key to the knowledge
of God - Allah according to the famous prophetic
hadth, 'He who knows himself knoweth his Lord'
(man `arafa nafsahu faqad `arafa rabbahu).
The Islamic man thus remains aware of the
eschatological [e] realities of the fact that,
although he lives on this earth, he is here as a
traveller far away from his original abode.

Universe
The Islamic view toward the universe is an
intellectual, scientific view that creates the human
emotions and feelings toward the greatness of Allah
the creator.
It also creates emotions and feelings toward the
smallness of the human being and his weakness in
front of this universe, which leads to the necessity
to submit to Allah (S.W.T.)

 1. The universe as a whole is a creation of Allah that

created it for a purpose. Playing was not the cause for
creation. Allah (S.W.T.) says in surat Ad-Dukhan, (Verses 3839), what can be translated as, "We have not created
the heavens and the earth, and all that is between
them, for mere play, We created them not except
with truth, but most of the do not know.
Also Allah (S.W.T.) says in surat Al-Anbiya, (Verses 16-17),
what can be translated as, "We have not created the
heavens and the earth and all that is between them
for mere play. If We wanted to create aimless things,
we would have done it if we were going to do (that)."

 Quran demands man to think and reflect upon the creation of

Allah, to reach to the oneness of Allah and to submit exclusively
to Allah. Allah (S.W.T.) says in surat A-Zummar, (Verses 62-63 &
67), what can be translated as, "Allah is the Creator of all
things, and he is the Wakil, (Trustee, Dospose of affairs,
Guardian, etc.) Over all things. To Him belong the
treasures of the heavens and the earth. And those who
disbelieve in the Ayat, (proofs, signs, etc.) of Allah, such
are they who will be the losers.
They made not a just estimate of Allah such as is due to
Him. And on the Day of Resurrection the earth, as a
whole will be grasped by His fist and the heavens will be
rolled up in His Right. Glorified be He, and High is He
above all that they associate as partners with Him!"

 2. The universe is subjected to certain absolute laws

that Allah (S.W.T.) made according to certain
predestination prescribed by Allah. He (S.W.T.) says in
surat Yasseen, (Verses 37-40), "And a sign for them
is the night, We withdraw there from the day,
and behold, they are in darkness. And the sun
runs on its fixed course for a term (appointed).
That is the Decree of the All-Mighty, the AllKnowing. And the moon, We have measured for it
mansions (to traverse) till it returns like the old
dried curved date stalk. It is not for the sun to
catch up with the moon, nor does the night
outstrip the day. They all float, each in an orbit."

1.2 Need for Religion

1) What is Religion?
The Arabic word Deen which is translated as Religion in
English is used for several meanings:
(a)Islam; Belief in unity of God; Worship; Obedience; All the acts of
worship; piety; All these meanings are interrelated and are
connected with the belief in Creator.
(b) Judgment; Reward or Punishment; Account; Order; Law; These
meanings are inter-related and point to the belief in the LifeHereafter.
(c) The third group of its meanings is: Custom; character; Habit;
Religion revealed and traditional both.

The idea behind the word deen is that man, by

his nature, has to have a pattern of life based upon
some spiritual ideals or ideas which we call belief.
It appears that the word is more
comprehensive than the English word Religion
which puts emphasis on only Human recognition of
super-human controlling power and especially of a
personal god or gods entitled to obedience and
worship, effects of such recognition or conduct of
mental attitude, particular system of faith and
worship.

Why we need the

Religion?
Man is a social animal and need of
society. Every society needs some
laws to prevent injustice and
perserve the right of every member
of the society.

Butwho is the right authority to make the law???

Religion provides power for facing

adversities and serves as a bulwark
(benteng) against undesirable
reactions of despair and

 Man cannot live in an ideological vacuum for long and as

such his tendency towards a wrong ideology and false
values becomes definite. Ideology is not filled with sound
beliefs and healthy teachings.
Religion with its firm and sound teachings can be an
effective factor in scientific progress, because its
foundation has been laid on the solid bed-rock of "freedom
of will" and on the fact that everybody is accountable for
his own deeds.
Religion strongly againts every discrimination based on
color, race or class, because it regards all human beings
as God's creatures and every country as God's country.
According to it, all enjoy God's love and kindness equally
and as such, all are equal.

1.2 Al-Din al-Islami (Islamic

Religion): Aqidah, Shariah & Akhlak
What is Islam?:
Islam-The name which comes from an
Arabic root word meaning "peace" and
"submission." Islam teaches that one can
only find peace in one's life by submitting
to Almighty God (Allah) in heart, soul and
deed.
Islam is a Deen (al-Quran: 5.3)
Islam is a submission to Allah (al-Quran: 3.19)
Islam is Religion of Allah (al-Quran: 3.83)

 Ibn Taymiyyah: Islam is to surrender

to Allah, submit to Him, worship Him
and serve Him..

The content of Islam

Aqidah in Islam

Shariah

Akhlak

1.3 The Meaning and Connection

of Iman, Islam and Ihsan

Iman
Iman-"Iman" is both verbal and actions. Meaning, the heart
and tongue confess with Iman while the heart and other
sense do actions.
The Pillars of Iman (Faith)
1)Belief in Allah
2)Belief in His Angels
3)Belief in His Messengers
4)Belief in His Books
5)Belief in the Last Day
6)Belief in Al-Qadar
(Pre-Ordainment).

Islam
"Islam" means believing in Allah (The God) to the
extent of surrendering your will to Him....
Islam is the Religion of all Prophets.

Five Pillars of Islam (five

obligatory acts of worship)
1)Declaration of Faith
(Syahadah)
2)Perform the five prayers
(salat)
3)Pay the Zakat
4)Fasting (sawm) during the
Ramadhan
5) Pilgrimage (hajj)-if he/she is

Ihsan
Ihsan- "Ihsan" is the highest of the three
levels of faith and the closest to God. It is to
worship Allah as if you are seeing Him. While
you do not see Him, He truly sees you...
Ihsan also meaning of spending out what
God has given. Mean using your energy,
talent, resources, money, possessions, or
whatever else, to help and do good to those
in need.

 Ihsan is achieved through concerted efforts

to beautify one's soul by ridding ones heart
and soul of all evil qualities like anger,
hatred, jealousy, envy, arrogance, greed,
injustice, impatience, egoism, racism,
fanaticism, extremism, self-righteousness,
vengeance, hard-heartedness, ignorance,
cowardliness, entertaining evil thoughts, lust
for fame/control/power, and all negative
traits and tendencies;

 Beautifying one's soul can be developed

through all good qualities like love, patience,
gratitude, forgiveness, kindness, compassion,
generosity, humility, sincerity to God and to
all human beings, trust in God, inner purity,
all positive traits and tendencies,
consequently developing an intimate
relationship with God thus receiving Divine
protection and guidance in all matters of life.

 This level is considered to be Islams third

dimension that gives Islam its depth and beauty.
It is the highest level of Islam that one strives to
reach in order to realize full human potential by
completely eliminating darkness within one's soul
and consequently receiving the Divine light of
wisdom in which one finds answers to all
questions of life such as
who I am, where have I come from, where am I
heading to, what is the purpose of life, why God
created everything, and what really is true happiness
and success..

Connection of IslamIman-Ihsan
Islam and Iman --> Iman as the
inward deeds, while Islam is the
outward actions..

Topics of Assingments
Religion vs. Ideology: looking for
differential
The important of Islamic Aqidah in
Economic and Finance