Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Discursive Theology Volume 1

This text deals with a set of ideological and scholastic questions based upon Islamic theology from the perspective of Shī‘ah Imāmiyyah school of thought. Reason and revelation have been the final reference and arbiter in decisions and evaluations. A series of lessons surrounding recognition of God is presented.

Author(s): Dr. ‘Ali Rabbani Gulpaygani

Translator(s): Mansoor L. Limba

Publisher(s): Al-Mustafa International College

                                                          

Table of Contents

Foreword. 9

Reference 11

Preface 12

References 16

Lesson 1: Why Should We Know God?  18

1. The Need for Preventing Serious Losses 18

2. The Need for Gratefulness to the Benefactor 18

3. Sense of Curiosity. 19

The Benefits of Knowing God. 19

Knowledge of God as the Fountainhead of All Knowledge 20

Review Questions 20

References 21

Lesson 2: The Ways of Knowing God  22

The Rationalists 22

The Intuitionists 23

Assessment 23

The Sensualists 24

Assessment 24

The Literalists 25

Assessment 26

Review Questions 28

References 29

Lesson 3: Natural Disposition (Fiṭrah) and Knowing God  31

Definition of Fiṭrah. 31

The Distinctive Features of Fiṭrah. 31

Fiṭrah in the Domain of Knowledge and Sensory Perception. 32

Intrinsic (fiṭrī) Knowledge 32

Instinctive Inclinations 32

Fiṭrah and Search for God. 33

Fiṭrah and Inclination to God. 33

a. Love for Absolute Perfection. 33

b. Hope for a Superior Power in Moments of Danger 34

Reply to Two Objections 35

What Scholars Say. 35

Fiṭrah and Religion from the Perspective of Revelation. 37

Review Questions 38

References 39

Lesson 4: Order in the Universe and Knowing God  41

The Definition and Types of Order 41

The Order of Outcome and the Argument of Design. 42

It is Design and Not Accident! 42

Imām al-Ṣādiq (‘a) and the Proof of Order 43

Review Questions 43

References 44

Lesson 5: Assessment of Hume’s Objections to the Argument of Design  45

First Objection. 45

Reply. 45

Second Objection. 46

Reply. 46

Third Objection. 47

Reply. 47

Fourth Objection. 47

Reply. 47

Fifth Objection. 47

Reply. 48

Sixth Objection. 48

Reply. 48

Review Questions 49

References 50

Lesson 6: The Argument of Contingency  51

Objection. 51

Reply. 52

The Second Principle of Thermodynamics and the Universe’s Contingency. 52

Bertrand Russell’s Objection. 53

Reply. 54

Review Questions 54

References 55

Lesson 7: The Argument of Possibility and Necessity  56

The Argument’s Premises 56

Bertrand Russell’s Misgiving. 57

Reply. 58

Review Questions 59

Reply. 60

Lesson 8: The Unity of God’s Essence and Attributes 61

1. The Unity of the Divine Essence 61

Types of Compositeness 61

Trinity or Polytheism in the Essence of God. 62

2. The Unity of the Divine Attributes 63

The Unity of the Divine Attributes in the Traditions 64

Insufficient Formula 65

Review Questions 65

References 67

Lesson 9: The Unity of God in Creation  68

Reason and the Divine Unity in Creation. 68

The Qur’an and the Divine Unity in Creation. 68

Traditions and the Divine Unity in Creation. 68

The Interpretation of the Divine Unity in Creation. 69

1. Imāmiyyah Theologians and Muslims Theosophers 69

2. ‘Ashā‘irah. 69

3. Mu‘tazilah. 69

Examination and Criticism. 69

The Dualists and the Misgiving of Evils 70

Reply to a Question. 71

The Divine Unity in Creation and the Problem of Ascribing Evils to God. 71

Review Questions 72

References 73

Lesson 10: The Divine Unity in Lordship  74

Cosmic and Legislative Lordship. 74

Lordship in This World and the Hereafter 74

The Proofs of the Divine Unity in Lordship. 75

Human Being’s Deviation Relative to the Divine Unity in Lordship. 76

The Divine Unity in Legislation. 77

The Divine Unity in Sovereignty. 77

The Divine Unity in Obedience 77

Review Questions 78

References 79

Lesson 11: The Divine Unity in Worship  80

What is Worship? 81

The Wahhābīs and Polytheism in Worship. 83

Review Questions 85

References 87

Lesson 12: The Attributes of God. 88

Name (ism) and Attribute (ṣifah) 88

Classifications of the Divine Attributes 88

1. The Attributes of Beauty and the Attributes of Glory. 88

2. The Attributes of Essence and the Attributes of Action. 89

3. The Real and the Relative Attributes 90

4. The Transmitted Attributes 90

Are the Names of Allah Tawqīfī? 91

Review Questions 92

References 93

Lesson 13: The Knowledge of God. 94

1. God’s Knowledge of His Essence 94

2. God’s Essential Knowledge of the Creatures 94

2.1. Shaykh al-Ishrāq’s View. 94

2.2. Mu‘tazilah View. 95

2.3. Ibn Sīnā’s View. 95

2.4. Ṣadr al-Muta’allihīn’s View. 95

God’s Present Knowledge of the Creatures in the Present 96

The Divine Proofs 97

The All-hearing, the All-seeing and the Perceiver 97

Review Questions 98

References 99

Lesson 14: God’s Power and Will 100

The Essence of Power 100

The Proof of God’s Power and Will 101

The Extent of God’s Power 101

Power and Potentiality. 102

Reply to Some Misgivings 102

Review Questions 103

References 104

Lesson 15: Life, Pre-existence and Eternity  105

Divine Life 105

The Essence and Classifications of Life 105

The Essence of Life with Respect to God. 106

The Proof of Divine Life 107

Pre-existence and Eternity. 107

Review Questions 108

References 109

Lesson 16: The Divine Will and Decree 110

Some Views on the Essence of Will 110

Assessment of the Views 111

An Examination and Analysis 112

The Divine Will as Described in Traditions 113

Review Questions 114

References 115

Lesson 17: The Divine Speech and Word  116

1. The Ahl al-Ḥadīth and Ḥanbalīs 116

2. Justice-Oriented Theologians 116

3. The Ash‘arīs and Māturdīs 117

4. Muslim Philosophers 118

The Word of God in the Qur’an and the Traditions 118

The Contingency of God’s Word. 119

The Immaculate Imāms (‘a) and the Issue of Contingency of God’s Word. 120

The Absence of Lie in God’s Word. 120

Review Questions 120

References 122

Lesson 18: The Attributes of Khabariyyah  123

Literalism and Anthropomorphism. 123

Ta’wīl Approach. 124

Theological Foundation of Ta’wīl 124

Singular and Synthetic Appearance 125

Postponement (Tawaqquf) and Delegation (Tafwīḍ) 126

Bases of the Proponents of Tafwīḍ. 126

Transmitted Attributes in the School of the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) 127

Review Questions 128

References 130

Lesson 19: Negative Attributes (Al-Ṣifāt al-Salbiyyah) 131

The Proofs of Impossibility of Physically Seeing God. 133

Proof of the Proponents of Ru’yah. 133

Argument on the Occurrence of Ru’yah and the Objection to It 134

Review Questions 135

References 137

Lesson 20: The Divine Justice and Wisdom   138

The Literal and Technical Meanings of Justice 138

Justice in the Parlance of Theologians 138

The Literal and Technical Meaning of Wisdom. 139

Wisdom in the Parlance of Theologians 140

1. Theoretical Wisdom. 140

2. Practical Wisdom. 140

Conclusion. 141

Manifestations of the Divine Justice and Wisdom. 141

The History and Motive for Discussing Justice 142

The Position of Justice in ‘Adliyyah Theology. 144

Review Questions 144

References 146

Lesson 21: Rational Goodness and Evil 147

An Elucidation of the Rule of Rational Goodness and Evil 147

Theoretical Reason and Practical Intellect 147

The Affirmers and Negationists 148

Appreciation and Condemnation, Reward and Punishment 148

Incumbent upon Allah. 149

The Proofs Substantiating Rational Goodness and Evil 150

Rational Goodness and Evil in the Qur’an and the Traditions 151

Review Questions 153

References 154

Lesson 22: The Proofs of Divine Justice and Wisdom   155

1. The Proof of Essential Necessity. 155

2. The Proof of Special Attention (‘ināyah) 155

3. The Omniscience and Self-sufficiency of God. 155

4. The Lack of Claimant and the Existence of Ṣārif 157

5. Signs of the Divine Justice and Wisdom in Nature 157

Design and Perfection as Viewed by Scientists and Scholars 159

Design in the Plant Kingdom. 159

Factors that Contribute to the Suitability of the Earth for Living. 160

Review Questions 161

References 162

Lesson 23: The Creation as Goal-oriented  163

The Justice-oriented Argument 163

The Ash‘arī’s Objection. 163

Reply. 163

Another Objection. 164

Reply. 164

The Goal of Action and the Goal of Agent 164

The Third View. 165

The View of Theosophers 165

Motive and Exigency. 166

The Qur’an and the Goal-orientedness of the Universe 166

The Perfect Man as the Philosophy behind Creation. 167

Review Questions 168

References 169

Lesson 24: Evil and the Best Order 170

The Skepticism on Evil and the Best Order 170

Reply [to the Skepticism] 170

The Non-discernment of Evil in the Realm of Nature 170

The Beauty of the Totality or the Perfect System. 173

Objection. 173

Reply. 174

Second Objection. 174

Reply. 174

Evil and the All-encompassing Power of God. 174

Review Questions 176

References 177

Lesson 25: Evil and the Justice of God  178

General Welfare and Public Good. 178

Unpleasant Things and Understanding the Sweetness of Doing Good. 178

Undesirables and the Blossoming of Talents 179

Painful Incidents or Warning Signs 180

Istidrāj and Ibtilā 181

The Role of Sins in the Occurrence of Painful Incidents 182

The Saints of God’s Account as Separate 183

Evil and Retributory Justice 184

Pains and Rewards 184

Concluding Points 185

Review Questions 186

References 187

Lesson 26: Man and Freewill 188

The Theologians’ Opinions on the Interpretation of Freewill 189

1. The Theory of Tafwīḍ. 189

Examination and Criticism. 190

2. The Theory of Kasb. 191

The Interpretation of Kasb. 191

A Criticism of the Theory of Kasb. 192

The Theory of the “Position between Two Positions” (amr bayn al-amrayn) 192

A Historical Survey of the “Position between Two Positions” 192

A Manifestation of the Divine Grace 193

Known Only to the True Men of Learning. 194

An Illustrious Example 194

A Firm Principle 194

Imām al-Hādī (‘a) and the Interpretation of Amr Bayn al-Amrayn. 195

The Philosophical Interpretation of Amr Bayn al-Amrayn. 196

A Study of the Book of the Self 197

Review Questions 197

References 199

Lesson 27: Misgivings of the Predeterminists 200

The Divine Decree, Predestination and the Eternal Knowledge of God. 200

The Correct Interpretation of Qaḍā and Qadr 200

Reinforcement of the Free-will on the Basis of the Principle of Qaḍā and Qadar 202

God’s Will and Man’s Free-will 202

Is Will a Voluntary Action? 203

The Divine Unity in Creation and the Issue of Predetermination. 203

Reply. 204

The Universality of the Divine Power and Man’s Freewill 204

The Divine Guidance and Misguidance and Man’s Freewill 205

Elements of Guidance 206

Elements of Misguidance 206

Review Questions 207

References 208

Lesson 28: The Mandatoriness of Obligation  209

Definition and Classification. 209

The Philosophy behind Obligation. 210

Obligation and Power 211

The Ash‘arīs and the Permissibility of Unbearable Obligation. 211

Review Questions 213

References 214

Lesson 29: The Necessity for Grace 215

The Definition and Classification of Luṭf (Grace) 215

The Conditions of Grace 216

Reasons behind the Necessity for Grace 217

The proof of wisdom. 217

God’s generosity and munificence 217

The Qur’an and the Rule of Grace 218

Divine Grace and Sayings of the Imāms (‘a) 220

Reply to the Objections 220

Review Questions 221

References 223

Foreword

بسم‌ اللّه‌ الرّحمن‌ الرّحيم

In the Name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful

The Islamic seminaries (ḥawzah al-‘ilmiyyah ) are the inheritors of the eternal heritage of the Divine knowledge and gnosis as well as the vanguards of the frontage and domain of the Islamic law and doctrines. This crucial mission has doubled the responsibility of the religious scholars in the arena of training and education.

The persistent worries and concern of the committed scholars, inquisitive researchers and sympathetic academics over the qualitative and quantitative modification and improvement of educational methods, texts and patterns toward the development, dynamism and efficiency of the educational system in the Islamic seminaries highlight the need to review, modify and present new, innovative and effective textbooks.

Of course, on one hand, the high standing and condition of the textbooks in the Islamic seminaries and the availability of the priceless legacy and valuable assets of the classical texts of our pious predecessors and the integrity and credibility of their authors call for particular and due efforts, accurateness and reflection in the rewriting, modification and writing of textbooks.

On the other hand, the change and transformation in the orientations, needs, expectations, methods, and models in training and education, multiply the responsibilities of the administrators and officials dealing with education and research affairs as well as academic planning in the Islamic seminary, as they have to perform their functions constantly by presenting new and original categories, patterns and frameworks and by improving the substance of textbooks.

As such, on the basis of the abovementioned needs and concerns, Al-Muṣṭafā International University has embarked on reviewing, modifying and producing textbooks, thereby typesetting, compiling and publishing hundreds of titles.

Along this line, while keeping the originality and substantial richness of the surviving precious treasures of the past scholars and by utilizing the educational technology and observing the modern principles, standards and patterns, it strives to present texts compatible with the objectives and within the framework of the approved programs and subjects, intellectual level, and expectations of the students.

Walking along this long and winding road necessitates the all-out support and cooperation of the esteemed professors, experts, academic directors, and students. By offering their suggestions, criticisms and opinions, they could help us in correctly and successfully treading this difficult and tortuous path.

We take this opportunity to express our utmost gratitude to those who have done their best to bring this project to fruition, and in particular, to Professor ‘Alī Rabbānī Gulpāygānī for writing the book,1 and to Dr. Mansoor Limba for translating it. We do appreciate all their sincere efforts.

Seyed Hashem Moosavi

Al-Muṣtafā International

Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines

2013

Reference

1. ‘Alī Rabbānī Gulpāygānī, ‘Aqā’idi Istidlālī 1 (Qum: Research Department of the Center of Management of the Qum Religious Academy for Women, Autumn 1388 AHS (2009)), 276 pages.