Why don't our teachers focus on Islamic Theology?

[faqir]

Asalamu alaykum,

We have talk after talk on fiqh and tasawwuf but I don't know about you guys but rarely have I seen our shuyukh discuss and teach Islamic Theology.

We talk about the 13 attributes of God that are obligatory for a Muslim to understand and know some of which are arrived at rationally and others which are not but how often do we see it being discussed? We hear that Islam has the richest of resources compared to the other religions on Theology but nobody talks about it. We have loads of Internet websites of fiqh but nothing much dedicated to Creed or in particular understanding Allah.

Anyone know why this is the case?

Also, have any good detailed books been translated into English on these subjects (by Muslims as opposed to Orientalists)?

Wasalam.

[Shaykhs-Pir Sahib]

as salamu alaykum

most simple aqida texts suffice for the majority of Muslims, such al-fiqh al-akbar, or imam tahawi's doctrine (without commentary)....

fiqh on the other hand is of prime importance.... belief in Allah entails that one perform his ibadat - and do it correctly.

i agree that there are few texts in english published for Ashari and Maturidi aqida with commentaries.

Imam al-Ghazali's 'foundation of islamic belief' is available on the internet, and its very detailed. there is a good section on aqida in www.guidinghelper.com as well.

i heard a rumour that Shaykh Hamza Yusuf is planning to release a translation of Imam at-Tahawi's aqida with commentary - but who knows how long that will take!

until then, a simple text will do, or else try and find a scholar who can go through it with you

[faqir]

Asalamu alaykum,

I have been through Imam Tahawi's work with scholarly commentary but what I really would like to do is go through the basics of theology from the view of the Ashari / Maturidi Ulema.

I take your point that Fiqh is important but surely it is not as important as Creed?

[salman]

Salamu alaikum

Theology was, in itself, disliked by many of the Ulema such as Imam Shafi and Imam Ahmad although they themselves practiced it when the need arose.

In regards to the question why the Ulema do not discuss Theology or Kalam with us, then it is very simple. Imam Ghazali and others actually forbade discussing Kalam issues infront of the general public because not everyone is able to grasp it and may fall into confusion. Although the Ulema of today understand that Kalam was a fundamental science that had to be employed in order to quell the fitna's of previous times, they also understand that in order to study such a thing one has to have a firm understanding of Aqida and the other islamic sciences.

If you want a book on Ash'ari Kalam get Imam Haramyans Kitab Al Irshad (which is in English).

Wallahu A'lam

[ilm_seeker]

As sallamu alaikum

Also, to study Kalam in-depth wouldn't you have to know classical Arabi? And I think it goes without saying, that if the major Ulema (as quoted in previous posts) disliked discussing Kalam (unless need be), then who are we to try and get to grips with it?

Wa alaikum as sallam

[faqir]

Asalamu alaykum,

If there was a need then then there is an even greater need today. This is the age of Quantum Physics, evolution, and so on. The scholars of their times adressed the needs of the Ummah of their times, who is adressing the needs of the world today in understanding the problems such modern "theories" and / or "philosophies" put to us?

Anyhow, with respect to Kalam, I found the following quote from Sh. G.F. Haddad interesting:

As Imam Muhammad Abu Zahra said in his book on Abu Hanifa (p.133): "Whenever you hear Abu Yusuf or Muhammad [ibn al- Hasan] or al-Shafi`i or Ibn Hanbal and others [among the early Imams] revile the science of kalam and those who take knowledge by following the methods of the mutakallimun, know that they only meant by their criticism the Mu`tazila and the methodology of the Mu`tazila."

In fact, beginning with Sayyiduna `Ali and through the time of the four Imams, Ahl al-Sunna did involve themselves in kalam to the extent that they refuted the innovators, just as we now wade through those time-consuming proofs against illiterate promoters of Salafitic kalam to stem somewhat the tide of moneyed misguidance now flooding the Muslim world.

SubhanAllah.

[salman]

salamu alaikum

If there was a need then then there is an even greater need today. This is the age of Quantum Physics, evolution, and so on. The scholars of their times adressed the needs of the Ummah of their times, who is adressing the needs of the world today in understanding the problems such modern "theories" and / or "philosophies" put to us?

When they know we are able to understand the language and methodolgy employed by the mutakalimun theyll openly teach and speak about Kalam. Till then there is no need to confuse people beyong their capacity.

Wallahu A'lam

[IlyasLahoz]

Sunnipath will be offering 'Essentials of Belief' as one of their upcoming courses, InshaAllah. Those interested in this topic might consider taking this course when it becomes available.

[Shaykhs-Pir Sahib]

as salamu alaykum

brother faqir has certainly raised some good points.

i myself have heard from ulama its time to 'update' the aqida forumulated by Ashari and Maturidi to deal with the theories present at this time. it is important that we have a logical proof fo the existence of the Creator, and a proof that can challenge modern-day scientists.

i believe Shaykh Hamza has recently released a CD set that discusses such issues, in conjunction with Dr Umar Abd Allah - although i can't comment whether it is actually aqida as such...

<<Imam Haramyans Kitab Al Irshad (which is in English)>>

i believe he was the shaykh of Imam al-Ghazali, and this book is called 'the guide to the principles of belief' or something like that. i have also been told the translation is not brilliant, but defintely a worthwhile read.

however, as already stated, a basic understanding will suffice, as kalam and its many aspects are dangerous for the vast majority and can lead one to kufr.... apart from wasting one's time..

[faqir]

salamu alaikum



When they know we are able to understand the language and methodolgy employed by the mutakalimun theyll openly teach and speak about Kalam. Till then there is no need to confuse people beyong their capacity.

Wallahu A'lam

Does one need to understand the intricacies of the Arabic language before they understand, for example, that Allah ta'ala is "necessarily existent"?

Thank you for the book recommendation Akhi Salman, I've got that one

Shaykhs pir-sahib - I've got that CD collection. MashaAllah it is very good.
Sh. Hamza describes how the Ulema have let this essential science slip in that it hasn't been updated to face the problems of modern times ......

I look forward to Sunnipaths new course - if it comes on-line I may register with them.

Wasalam.