Download - [Slideshare]tauhid course(#3).

““INTRODUCTION TO THE INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF TAUSTUDY OF TAUHHEED”EED”

Intermediate Level Islamic course in English for Adultsconducted by Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail

16 weekly class started: 27 Nov 2010 16 weekly class started: 27 Nov 2010 Every Saturday night @ 8pm – 10pmEvery Saturday night @ 8pm – 10pm

Wisma Indah, 448 Changi Road, Wisma Indah, 448 Changi Road, #02-00 next to Masjid Kassim#02-00 next to Masjid Kassim

INTRODUCING START

OF A NEW COURSE

[2]

Using curriculum he has developed especially for English-speakingUsing curriculum he has developed especially for English-speakingMuslim converts and young English-speaking Adult Muslims. Muslim converts and young English-speaking Adult Muslims.

ل#م 'ل( م'س% %ع#ل%م ف0ر#يض0ة. على ك ل#مط0ل0ب' ال 'ل( م'س% %ع#ل%م ف0ر#يض0ة. على ك ط0ل0ب' ال““To seek knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim (male & female)”To seek knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim (male & female)”

For further information and registration For further information and registration contact Sameer Abdul Jalilcontact Sameer Abdul Jalil (9669 8512) - or (9669 8512) - or e-mail e-mail <[email protected]><[email protected]>

IT CAN ALSO BE IT CAN ALSO BE A REFRESHER A REFRESHER COURSE FOR COURSE FOR

MUSLIM MUSLIM PARENTS, PARENTS,

EDUCATORS, IN EDUCATORS, IN CONTEMPORARY CONTEMPORARY

SINGAPORE. SINGAPORE. OPEN TO ALLOPEN TO ALL

IN THE NAME OF ALLAHIN THE NAME OF ALLAHMOST COMPASIONATEMOST COMPASIONATEMOST MERCIFULMOST MERCIFUL

All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail. 2010

LESSON #3LESSON #3

Get into a different groupings. Discuss Get into a different groupings. Discuss briefly – from given notes briefly – from given notes #1 #1 & & #2 #2 - what - what has thus far been covered in “has thus far been covered in “Introduction Introduction to Tauto Tauhheedeed” - up to the previous lesson ” - up to the previous lesson ““Causes of wrong thinkingCauses of wrong thinking”..”..

1.1. Briefly – share - what ‘Briefly – share - what ‘take-waystake-ways*’ you *’ you had noted from the lesson; feedback, had noted from the lesson; feedback, comments; additional “*comments; additional “*ah…haahsah…haahs !”. !”.

2.2. Prepare a summary (synopsis). Each Prepare a summary (synopsis). Each group to present a brief group to present a brief RECAPRECAP for the for the class to ease the continuation of the next class to ease the continuation of the next lesson.lesson.

TAMRINTAMRIN

(EXERCISE

(EXERCISE))

““It’s been sometime It’s been sometime since we discussed. since we discussed.

What have What have we learnt?”we learnt?”

2

You are given only You are given only 15 minutes 15 minutes to complete this assignmentto complete this assignment


RE-CAP PREVIOUS LESSONRE-CAP PREVIOUS LESSON


TO CONTINUETO CONTINUE


Intellectual perception of all things, material or Intellectual perception of all things, material or spiritual, tangible or intangible, revolves around 3 spiritual, tangible or intangible, revolves around 3 postulates: postulates:

[1] inevitability [1] inevitability ((WAJIBAHWAJIBAH); ); When the evidence presents itself convincingly, such When the evidence presents itself convincingly, such

that we have to make a certain conclusion that we have to make a certain conclusion (judgement) and cannot remain neutral or (judgement) and cannot remain neutral or uncommitted.uncommitted.

Criterion of AntithesisCriterion of Antithesis


Intellectual perception of all things, material or spiritual, tangible or intangible, revolves around 3 postulates:

[2] possibility (HARUS); This generally is a position of neutrality, neither an

acceptance nor a categorical rejection, but we remain open. (just like in cases when we say to it as: "Maybe, maybe not, or perhaps").



Intellectual perception of all things, material or spiritual, tangible or intangible, revolves around 3 postulates:

[3] impossibility (MUSTAHIL).

In Islam, this third postulate in thinking is termed 'rational impossibility' or 'absurdity' or 'antithesis‘.



[3] impossibility (MUSTAHIL). The word 'impossible' may be clear to simplest of

people. Here we are not taking its meaning in the general sense, but rather specific to thinking process - the ratio. i.e. rationally impossible or absurd, which our mind cannot even register. Not impossible because it seems uncommon. But some of the best educated young people fail to differentiate between these two kinds of impossibilities:



(a) Rational impossibility, whose existence or non-existence, when visualised, is unacceptable to the mind (e.g. when we say that “one” is the quarter of "two" and not half of it , or that a part of an object is larger than the object itself!!!)

Or, when a proposition presented which inherently is self-contradictory, or inconsistent.

Thus, rightfully we have basis to reject.

NOTENOTE: There are 2 kinds of ‘impossibility’: There are 2 kinds of ‘impossibility’


(b) Common impossibility is that which, while not altogether unacceptable to the mind, does seem so by the force of our habit to consider it as such. Eventually, however, we learn that it is not the same as rational impossibility (e.g. like soaring to the sky, taking to people and seeing things from far corners of the earth or landing on the moon.) Actually, common impossibility still falls under the category of possible (HARUS) i.e. it is still not rationally impossible, and we remain neutral or open towards it.



The criterion for dismissing a piece of information does not lie in the fact that it seems improbable and strange, but that it must be something which produces a mental antithesis * , an obvious absurdity - something glaringly inconsistent and therefore self-evidently false.



•Antithesis : “Contrast of ideas expressed by parallelism of strongly contrasted “Contrast of ideas expressed by parallelism of strongly contrasted •words; opposition, contrast, direct opposite, or consisting of two opposites, words; opposition, contrast, direct opposite, or consisting of two opposites, contradiction, inconsistency to reason. etc. “contradiction, inconsistency to reason. etc. “

Hence if a contention (proposition) produces such antithesis, we repudiate it, and if it does not, then we should refrain from repudiating it although we do not as yet believe it.

We need to substantiate with evidence and convincing basis - for both cases, either of acceptance or categorical rejection. Without which, we hold to an open mind.



Therefore, an educated young man should not forget to differentiate between these two kinds of impossibilities whenever he engages in an argument within himself about God, religion, and the Qur' an.



"Yet behold, never can surmise (conjecture) "Yet behold, never can surmise (conjecture) take the place of Truth" take the place of Truth"

((Q: Najm 53 :28Q: Najm 53 :28))

Surmise (conjecture) cannot be the Surmise (conjecture) cannot be the same as Truthsame as Truth


From this verse , it stresses exactly the mind's From this verse , it stresses exactly the mind's logical process for establishing a fact or negating it. logical process for establishing a fact or negating it.

In the matter of certitude, there is a great In the matter of certitude, there is a great difference between proof and denial. difference between proof and denial.

Thus we can be absolutely certain about an Thus we can be absolutely certain about an existence of an object if such existence is proven existence of an object if such existence is proven scientifically or logically. scientifically or logically.



But we should not categorically deny the existence But we should not categorically deny the existence of an object or a piece of information just because of an object or a piece of information just because there is no proof of it unless the visualisation of there is no proof of it unless the visualisation of that object or information produces a mental that object or information produces a mental antithesis.antithesis.



•Antithesis : “Contrast of ideas expressed by parallelism of strongly contrasted “Contrast of ideas expressed by parallelism of strongly contrasted •words; opposition, contrast, direct opposite, or consisting of two opposites, words; opposition, contrast, direct opposite, or consisting of two opposites, contradiction, inconsistency to reason. etc. “contradiction, inconsistency to reason. etc. “

If, however, the object or information is in the If, however, the object or information is in the realm of possible, then we should look at it the way realm of possible, then we should look at it the way we look at everything that is not impossible. i.e. we look at everything that is not impossible. i.e. neither to accept it unquestionably nor to deny it neither to accept it unquestionably nor to deny it categorically. categorically.



Another cornerstone of Islamic thought based on Another cornerstone of Islamic thought based on principles of the Qur'an is the distinction made on the principles of the Qur'an is the distinction made on the between perceptions of the visible and invisible between perceptions of the visible and invisible worlds.worlds.There are two kinds of perceptions:There are two kinds of perceptions:

(1) perception of the (1) perception of the true essence true essence of an object, and of an object, and

(2) perception of (2) perception of the evidence the evidence of its existence, of its existence, although absolute perception of its essence may not although absolute perception of its essence may not be possiblebe possible

Limitations of the mindLimitations of the mind


The human mind can more or less perceive the The human mind can more or less perceive the essence of objects within a limited scope, the scope essence of objects within a limited scope, the scope of the tangible world. But in the world of the of the tangible world. But in the world of the intangible, it can only deduce the existence of an intangible, it can only deduce the existence of an object from its attributes or effects. This is an object from its attributes or effects. This is an established fact. established fact.

This latter kind of perception enables us to ascertain This latter kind of perception enables us to ascertain the existence of God and some of His attributes of the existence of God and some of His attributes of perfection through the signs He has given us, and not perfection through the signs He has given us, and not because we can perceive His true essence. because we can perceive His true essence.

Limitations of the mindLimitations of the mind


Human mind's ability to abstraction (and deduction) enables him to know the reality of a thing beyond merely the physical perception.

Thus distinction between visualization and conception - is another cornerstone of Islamic thought, which springs forth from the principles of the Qur'an.

Visualization and Conception


VISUALIZATION“ To perceive the object with our senses or the mind's eye by picturing its essence”

and

CONCEPTION “Being aware of the existence of an object without the need to form a mental image of its essence” -



We cannot visualize all things we conceive.

For, we may conceive the existence of an object through its manifestations, although we may not be able to visualize its form.

The fact that we cannot visualize an object already conceived to exist, does not justify the claim that it does not exist.



Thus, for example, although we cannot imagine (visualize) that a paper, if cut in half and then stacked and pieces are each cut in half again, 45 times and stacked, would make a pile that reach the clouds; yet we can conceive it (i.e. its possibility) after a simple mathematical calculation.



Again, if a television set falls in our midst from one of the galaxies, would it not prove to us the existence of its maker and indicate that being, is a wise and intelligent scientist?

Yet, despite this knowledge (concerning some of his attributes), we cannot visualize the essence of that maker because we have not seen or felt him; we do not know whether he is a human being or a robot.



But would it be logical to deny his existence altogether? .... just because we cannot visualize his essence, although we did conceive his existence as well as some of his attributes?



Another cornerstone of Islamic thought based on the principles of the Qur'an is that we are incapable of perceiving the beginnings and ends of things.

This is a fact. That is the way our minds and senses were created, even in the material world in which we live in, our limitations are obvious.

Man's Limitation Man's Limitation


A sound that is too loud deafens us, and a light that is too bright blinds us as it blinded Prophet Moses a.s.

Excessive closeness to an object prevents us from seeing it, and so does excessive remoteness from it.

If this is true of the tangible world, it is much more so of the intangible world!

Man's Limitation Man's Limitation


1.1. Get into your groupings (5 to group). Get into your groupings (5 to group).

2.2. From the given statement, discuss – apply From the given statement, discuss – apply what you have learnt and give your what you have learnt and give your group’s response.group’s response.

3.3. Identify and categorize – whether truth, Identify and categorize – whether truth, surmise, conjecture, common surmise, conjecture, common impossibility, rational impossibility impossibility, rational impossibility (antithesis), etc. – with the explanation.(antithesis), etc. – with the explanation.

4.4. Others may be allowed to comment on Others may be allowed to comment on each others responseeach others response

TAMRINTAMRIN

(EXERCISE)

(EXERCISE)

““Emm... Let us discuss..Emm... Let us discuss..... What do you think?”... What do you think?” and more importantly, and more importantly, “.. Why is that so?”“.. Why is that so?”

38You are given not more than You are given not more than 5 minutes5 minutes to discuss each to discuss each

statement.statement.All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail. 2010

““And he threw down his wooden And he threw down his wooden rod (staff), and it changes into a rod (staff), and it changes into a serpent which devours all the serpent which devours all the other snakes conjured by the other snakes conjured by the sorcerers”sorcerers”

CommonCommonimpossibilityimpossibility

ororRationalRational

ImpossibilityImpossibilityoror

SurmiseSurmiseor or

truetrue

THE THESIS, STATEMENT OR CONTENTIONTHE THESIS, STATEMENT OR CONTENTION


WHICH KIND OF CATEGORY?WHICH KIND OF CATEGORY?

““There was a man from the island There was a man from the island of Crete who said: of Crete who said:

‘ ‘All the men from this, my island All the men from this, my island Crete, are liars and will always lie’. Crete, are liars and will always lie’.

And I believe what this man said is And I believe what this man said is the truth ”the truth ”






SurmiseSurmiseor or

truetrue


““He made a fantastic claim to He made a fantastic claim to having witnessed with his own having witnessed with his own eyes, to his own biological parents eyes, to his own biological parents making the matrimonial vow to making the matrimonial vow to solemnize their marriage .... that solemnize their marriage .... that is, i.e. His being physically present is, i.e. His being physically present at their wedding day?”at their wedding day?”






SurmiseSurmiseor or

truetrue


““I saw an amazing thing, a snake I saw an amazing thing, a snake that began to swallow its own tail that began to swallow its own tail and body. It went on eating and body. It went on eating voraciously until it totally voraciously until it totally consumed itself and *consumed itself and *blinkblink* * disappeared..!”disappeared..!”






SurmiseSurmiseor or

truetrue


A man then said “I am able to bring A man then said “I am able to bring the throne before a wink of an eye” the throne before a wink of an eye”

And, lo in a split of a second, the And, lo in a split of a second, the beautiful throne appeared in their beautiful throne appeared in their presence ...”presence ...”






SurmiseSurmiseor or

truetrue


““He was able to see and He was able to see and communicate instantaneously, with communicate instantaneously, with his friend who is on the other side his friend who is on the other side of the world (globe) ...”of the world (globe) ...”






SurmiseSurmiseor or

truetrue


““... An anchovy appeared, it opened ... An anchovy appeared, it opened its mouth wide and swallowed a its mouth wide and swallowed a whole whale ....! ”whole whale ....! ”






SurmiseSurmiseor or

truetrue


““... Light, in fact, does not travel in ... Light, in fact, does not travel in a straight line..! ”a straight line..! ”

““He threw the ball up into the sky He threw the ball up into the sky and it remained there, static ...!”and it remained there, static ...!”






SurmiseSurmiseor or

truetrue


““A horse begets another horse. A horse begets another horse. Likewise, if Jesus is the son of God, Likewise, if Jesus is the son of God, then he must also be God...!”then he must also be God...!”






SurmiseSurmiseor or

truetrue


““God is the Uncreated creator of God is the Uncreated creator of everything. Yet He is all-powerful everything. Yet He is all-powerful that He can create another that He can create another uncreated like Himself .... !”uncreated like Himself .... !”






SurmiseSurmiseor or

truetrue


““Everything is relative. All Everything is relative. All statement can either be regarded statement can either be regarded as right or wrong. as right or wrong.

We must reject those who are We must reject those who are Absolutists. We stand by the Absolutists. We stand by the believe that there is nothing that believe that there is nothing that can be regarded as Absolute.”can be regarded as Absolute.”






SurmiseSurmiseor or

truetrue


““We are not like you Muslims... We are not like you Muslims... We believe that there is nothing We believe that there is nothing that our God cannot do. He can, if that our God cannot do. He can, if He wants to, create a stone so big He wants to, create a stone so big that He himself cannot carry!”that He himself cannot carry!”






SurmiseSurmiseor or

truetrue


““He promised to come at exactly a He promised to come at exactly a quarter to five minutes ...!”quarter to five minutes ...!”






SurmiseSurmiseor or

truetrue


““What a great artist ... He can What a great artist ... He can even draw a circle which is at the even draw a circle which is at the same time, also a square ...!”same time, also a square ...!”






SurmiseSurmiseor or

truetrue


““He claim that his share of one-He claim that his share of one-third is more than all that the third is more than all that the other two shareholders other two shareholders received...!”received...!”






SurmiseSurmiseor or

truetrue


““He as done an impossible thing!”He as done an impossible thing!”






SurmiseSurmiseor or

truetrue


““God (Who is the ever-living) came God (Who is the ever-living) came to die for the sins of man..!”to die for the sins of man..!”






SurmiseSurmiseor or

truetrue


““On that day, all who has been On that day, all who has been dead, although scattered as dust, dead, although scattered as dust, will be summoned and resurrected will be summoned and resurrected to life again as new creations ...!”to life again as new creations ...!”

THE THESIS, STATEMENT OR CONTENTIONTHE THESIS, STATEMENT OR CONTENTION WHICH KIND OF CATEGORY?WHICH KIND OF CATEGORY?





SurmiseSurmiseor or

truetrue

"He it is Who has sent down to thee the "He it is Who has sent down to thee the Book: in it are verses basic or fundamental Book: in it are verses basic or fundamental (“(“muhkamatmuhkamat” - of established meaning); they ” - of established meaning); they are are the foundation of the Bookthe foundation of the Book: others are not : others are not of well-established meaning. of well-established meaning.

But those in whose hearts is perversity follow But those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part thereof that is allegorical (not of well-the part thereof that is allegorical (not of well-established meaning). Seeking discord and established meaning). Seeking discord and searching for its interpretation, but no one searching for its interpretation, but no one knows its true meanings except Allah... ;”knows its true meanings except Allah... ;”

((Qur’an: Aali’Imran: 3: 7Qur’an: Aali’Imran: 3: 7))


"No vision can encompass Him, whereas He "No vision can encompass Him, whereas He encompasses all vision: for He alone is the encompasses all vision: for He alone is the unfathomable (unfathomable (latiflatif) ) **, all-aware." , all-aware."

((Qur’an: An'am: 6: 103Qur’an: An'am: 6: 103))


** The term ' The term 'latiflatif' in ' in 'ٱلل=ط#يف'ٱلل=ط#يف ) ) ) denotes ) denotes something that is extremely subtle in quality, and something that is extremely subtle in quality, and therefore “therefore “intangible and unfathomableintangible and unfathomable.” .”

Whenever this term occurs in the Qur'an with Whenever this term occurs in the Qur'an with reference to God in conjunction with the adjective reference to God in conjunction with the adjective

''khabiirkhabiir' ( ' ( ير# ب ل�خ0 #يرٱ ب ل�خ0 all awareall aware"), it is invariably "), it is invariably"" (( ٱused to express the idea of His inaccessibility to used to express the idea of His inaccessibility to human perception, imagination or comprehension, as human perception, imagination or comprehension, as contrasted with His Own all-awareness.contrasted with His Own all-awareness.


"There is nothing like unto Him, and yet He "There is nothing like unto Him, and yet He alone is all-hearing, all-seeing."alone is all-hearing, all-seeing."**

((Qur’an: As-Shura 42 : 11Qur’an: As-Shura 42 : 11))


* The Oneness and Absolute Uniqueness of God is

stressed here. In the phrase "there is nothing like

unto Him" ( 0ه# ش# ل 0م# س0 ك ��ل0 ء ل� ۦ ل #ه# ش0ل ل 0م# س0 ك ��ل0 ء ل� ۦ ل �ل ‌ ) implies

that He (Allah) is fundamentally - not merely in His

attributes - "different" from anything that exists or

could exist, or anything that man can conceive or

imagine or define. SUB-HAA-NALLAAH!


"And there is nothing that could be compared "And there is nothing that could be compared

to Him" to Him"

((Qur’an: Al- Ikhlas: 112: 4Qur’an: Al- Ikhlas: 112: 4) )


* * The term “The term “kufukufu” ( ” ( ف'و' 'ف'وڪ refers to any attempt at ) refers to any attempt at ( ڪ

trying to do a comparison by association with any trying to do a comparison by association with any

other. This is utterly futile since Allah is Unique. other. This is utterly futile since Allah is Unique.

Thus, even the "Thus, even the "howhow" of His being "" of His being "differentdifferent" from " from

everything else is beyond the categories of human everything else is beyond the categories of human

thought. thought.


Therefore, the concern in Islamic theology is not in

trying to discern His Essence (Dzat), which is an

impossibility due to human imperfection and

limitation. But we are to know Him by way of His

attributes (sifaat), names (asma’) and other Signs

(Aayat). Yet we qualify and admit to the imperfection

of all our knowledge regarding Allah, (High and

Exalted is He from every defects and imperfection).


"(To know Allah) Think (and reflect) upon Allah's "(To know Allah) Think (and reflect) upon Allah's creation (i.e. what He has created) and do not creation (i.e. what He has created) and do not try to think in Allah (His Essence: try to think in Allah (His Essence: DzatDzat), for you ), for you will most certainly not be able to comprehend will most certainly not be able to comprehend it.“ it.“

((Al-HadithAl-Hadith))

OUR PROPHET MUHAMMAD SAID:OUR PROPHET MUHAMMAD SAID:
