Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION. 12

TRANSLATOR’S NOTE. 20

The Translation. 20

AUTHOR’S PREFACE. 22

LESSON ONE: CONCEPT OF RELIGION  24

The principles of religion and its branches 24

a. Worldview and Ideology. 24

b. Divine and Materialistic Worldviews 24

c. Revealed religions and their principles 25

Questions: 26

LESSON TWO: INQUIRING INTO RELIGION  27

The drive to investigate 27

a. The significance of inquiring into religion. 28

b. Resolution of a doubt 28

Questions: 29

LESSON THREE: THE CONDITIONS NECESSARY TO LIVE AS HUMAN BEINGS  30

Introduction. 30

The above result depends upon three preliminaries: 30

a. Man’s perfection is achieved by following the intellect. 30

b. The practical rules of the intellect require the basis of speculation. 31

c. Results to be achieved. 31

Questions: 32

LESSON FOUR: THE WAY OF RESOLVING FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES  33

Introduction. 33

The different types of epistemology. 33

a. Different types of worldview. 33

b. Criticism and research. 34

c. Results to be achieved. 35

Questions: 35

LESSON FIVE: KNOWING GOD. 37

Introduction. 37

Cognition through knowledge by presence and knowledge by acquisition  37

Cognition through intrinsic nature 37

Questions 38

LESSON SIX: THE SIMPLE WAY OF KNOWING GOD  40

The ways of knowing God. 40

a. Specialties of the simple way. 40

b. Familiar signs. 41

Questions: 42

LESSON SEVEN: PROOFS OF NECESSARY EXISTENT  43

Introduction. 43

Text of the proof 43

Possibility and necessity. 43

a. Cause and effect 44

b. The impossibility of an endless chain of causes 45

c. Affirmation of the argument 45

Questions: 46

LESSON EIGHT: ATTRIBUTES OF GOD  47

Introduction. 47

The eternal nature of God. 47

a. Negative attributes 47

b. The cause that bestows existence 48

c. Peculiarities of the cause that bestows existence 49

Questions: 49

LESSON NINE: ATTRIBUTES OF ESSENCE  51

Introduction. 51

Attributes of essence and attributes of action. 51

Proofs for the attributes of essence 52

a. Life (Hayāt) 52

b. Knowledge (‘ilm) 52

c. Power (qudrah) 53

Questions: 54

LESSON TEN: ATTRIBUTES OF ACTION  55

Introduction. 55

a. Creatorship (khāliqiyyah) 56

b. Lordship (rubūbiyyah) 56

c. Divinity (ulūhiyyah) 57

Questions: 57

LESSON ELEVEN: ADDITIONAL ATTRIBUTES OF ACTION  58

Introduction. 58

Will 58

a. Wisdom. 59

b. Speech. 59

c. Truth. 60

Questions: 60

LESSON TWELVE: ANALYSING THE REASONS FOR DEVIATION  62

Introduction. 62

Reasons of deviation. 62

a. Psychological reasons for deviation. 62

b. Sociological reasons for deviation. 63

c. Intellectual factors for deviation. 63

Campaign against the elements of deviation. 64

Questions: 64

LESSON THIRTEEN: RESOLVING SEVERAL SPURIOUS DOUBTS  65

Believing in an intangible existence 65

a. The role of fear and ignorance in belief in God. 65

b. Is the principle of causation, one universal concept? 66

c. Achievements of sociology. 66

Questions: 67

LESSON FOURTEEN: THE MATERIALISTIC WORLD VIEW AND ITS CRITICISM   68

The principles of the materialist worldview. 68

a. Investigating the first principle 68

b. Investigating the second principle 69

c. Investigating the third principle 69

d. Investigating the fourth principle 69

Questions: 70

LESSON FIFTEEN: DIALECTICAL MATERIALISM AND ITS CRITICISM   71

Mechanical materialism and dialectical materialism. 71

a. The principle of contradiction. 71

Criticism of the principle of contradiction. 72

b. The principle of the quantum leap. 72

Criticisms of the principle of the quantum leap. 73

c. The principle of negating the negation. 73

Questions: 74

LESSON SIXTEEN: ONENESS OF GOD  75

Introduction. 75

Proofs for the Oneness of God. 76

Questions: 77

LESSON SEVENTEEN: THE MEANING OF THE ONENESS OF THE GOD  78

Introduction. 78

The negation of plurality. 78

The negation of composition. 78

a. The negation of attributes as additional to the essence 78

b. The unity of Divine actions 79

c. Independent effectuality. 79

d. The two important results achieved. 80

e. The resolution of a doubt 80

Questions: 81

LESSON EIGHTEEN: FREEWILL AND DETERMINISM   82

Introduction. 82

The explanation of human volition. 83

a. The resolution of spurious doubts concerning determinism. 84

Questions: 85

LESSON NINETEEN: DIVINE DECREE AND DESTINY  86

The concepts of destiny and decree 86

Objective determination and epistemic-determination. 86

The relation of destiny and decree to human volition. 87

a. Different types of influences from distinctive causes 88

b. Resolution of a doubt 88

c. The influence of belief upon destiny and decree 89

Questions: 89

LESSON TWENTY: DIVINE JUSTICE  90

Introduction. 90

The concept of justice 91

a. The proofs for Divine justice 92

b. The resolution of certain doubts 93

Questions: 94

LESSON TWENTY-ONE: THE ISSUES CONCERNING PROPHETHOOD  95

Introduction. 95

1. The purpose of discussing this section. 95

a. The method of investigation in theology. 96

Questions 97

LESSON TWENTY-TWO: THE NEED FOR REVELATION AND PROPHETHOOD  98

The necessity for the nomination of prophets 98

a. The limitations of human sciences 98

The benefits of the nomination of prophets 99

Questions 100

LESSON TWENTY-THREE: RESOLVING CERTAIN SOURIOUS DOUBTS  101

Resolving certain spurious doubts 101

Questions 104

LESSON TWENTY-FOUR: INFALLIBILITY OF THE PROPHETS  105

The necessity of the immunity of Revelation. 105

Other Cases of Infallibility. 106

Infallibility of the prophets (a) 107

Questions 108

LESSON TWEWNTY-FIVE: THE REASONS FOR THE INFALLIBILITY OF PROPHETS  109

Introduction. 109

Intellectual reasons for the infallibility of prophets (a) 109

Traditional reasons for the infallibility of prophets (a) 110

The philosophy behind the infallibility of prophets (a) 111

Questions 112

LESSON TWEWNTY-SIX: RESPONSE TO CERTAIN DOUBTS  113

Introduction. 113

Why does an infallible person deserve reward? 113

Why did the infallible Prophets and Imams (a) confess to committing sins? 113

How is Satan’s influence on the prophets (a) in agreement with their infallibility? 114

Attributing forgetfulness and rebelliousness to Adam (a) 114

Attributing lies to some of the prophets (a) 115

Moses’ (a) murdering of a Qobti 115

Prohibiting the Prophet (s) from casting doubt on his mission. 115

The Prophet (s) is described in the Qur’an as committing some sins 116

Reports concerning the marriage of the Prophet (s) with the divorced wife of Zayd  116

Questions 117

LESSON TWENTY-SEVEN: MIRACLES  118

Ways of proving prophecy. 118

The definition of a miracle 118

Extraordinary events 119

Divine extraordinary acts 119

Characteristics of the miracles of the prophets’ (a) 120

Questions 120

LESSON TWENTY-EIGHT: RESPONSES TO CERTAIN DOUBTS  121

Responses to certain doubts 121

Do miracles contradict causality? 121

Do extraordinary acts indicate changes in Divine customs? 121

Why did the Prophet of Islam (s) refuse to present miracles to the public? 122

Can miracles be accepted as intellectual or convincing evidence? 123

Questions 123

LESSON TWENTY-NINE: CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROPHET  125

The plurality of the prophets 125

The number of prophets 126

Prophets and God’s Messengers 127

The prominent prophets 127

Some Points 128

Questions 128

LESSON THIRTY: PROPHETS AND PEOPLE  130

Introduction. 130

The people’s reaction against the prophets (a) 130

Reasons and motivations behind the opposition of the prophets (a) 130

Behaviour towards the prophets (a) 131

Contempt 131

Slander and unjust accusations 131

Dispute and chicanery. 131

Threats and allurement 132

Violence and murder 132

Some heavenly approached in ruling societies 132

Questions 133

LESSON THIRY-ONE: THE PROPHET OF ISLAM   134

Introduction. 134

The establishment of the prophethood of the Prophet of Islam (s) 135

Questions 136

LESSON THIRY-TWO: THE MIRCULOUS NATURE OF THE QUR’AN  137

The Qur'an as a Miracle 137

The miraculous aspects of the Qur’an. 137

a. Its eloquence and rhetoric 138

b. The illiteracy of its Messenger 138

c. Its harmony and lack of contradiction. 139

Questions 140

LESSON THIRY-THREE: THE IMMUNITY OF THE QUR’AN FROM ALTERATION  141

Introduction. 141

Lack of addition in the Qur’an. 141

Lack of deletion from the Qur’an. 142

Questions 142

LESSON THIRTY-FOUR: ISLAM IS UNIVERSAL AND ETERNAL  144

Introduction. 144

1. The universality of Islam. 144

a. Qura’nic proofs for the universality of Islam. 145

The Eternity of Islam. 145

The resolution of certain doubts 145

Questions 146

LESSON THIRY-FIVE: THE SEAL OF PROPHECY  148

Introduction. 148

1. a. The Qur’anic proofs for the seal of prophecy. 148

b. The traditional proofs for the seal of prophecy. 148

2. The secret behind the seal of prophecy. 149

3. The answer to a spurious doubt 149

LESSON THIRTY-SIX: IMĀMAH. 151

Introduction. 151

1. The Concept of Imāmah. 152

Questions 153

LESSON THIRY-SEVEN: THE NEED FOR AN IMAM   154

Introduction. 154

The necessity of the existence of an Imam. 154

Questions 156

LESSON THIRTY-EIGHT: THE APPOINTMENT OF AN IMAM   157

The appointment of an Imam. 157

Questions 159

LESSON THIRTY-NINE: THE KNOWLEDGE AND THE INFFALIBILITY OF THE IMAM   160

Introduction. 160

The infallibility of the Imam. 160

The Knowledge of the Imam. 161

Questions 163

LESSON FORTY: IMAM MAHDI 164

Introduction. 164

A Divine World Government 164

The Divine Covenant 165

a. Examples from the traditions 165

b. Occultation and its secret 166

Questions 167

LESSON FORTY-ONE: THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING DAY OF JUDGEMENT  168

Introduction. 168

The significance of believing in the Resurrection. 168

The importance given by the Qur’an to the issue of Resurrection. 169

Conclusion. 170

Questions 170

LESSON FORTY-TWO: THE DEPENDENCE OF THE ISSUES OF RESSURRECTION UPON THE ISSUES OF THE SPIRIT. 172

The criteria of unity in a living existent 172

The role of the spirit in the existence of man. 173

Questions 174

LESSON FORTY-THREE: THE IMMATERIALITY OF THE SOUL  175

Introduction. 175

Intellectual reasoning upon the immateriality of the soul 175

Proofs from the Qur’an. 176

Questions 177

LESSON FORTY-FOUR: PROVING RESSURRECTION  178

Introduction. 178

Proving Resurrection through Wisdom. 178

Proving Resurrection through Justice 179

Questions 180

LESSON FORTY-FIVE: RESSURECTION IN THE QUR’AN  181

Introduction. 181

Denial of Resurrection is baseless 181

Phenomena resembling Resurrection. 182

a. Plant life 182

b. The sleep of the people of cave 182

c. The coming back to life of certain animals 182

d. The coming back to life of certain humans 183

Questions 183

LESSON FORTY-SIX: THE QUR’ANIC RESPONSE RESSURRECTION TO THE DOUBTHS CONCERNING. 184

The argument for the return from non-existence 184

The argument for the material body having the ability of new life 184

The argument with respect to the strength of a creator 184

Questions 185

LESSON FORTY-SEVEN: GOD’S PROMISE REGARDING THE RESURRECTION  186

Introduction. 186

The inevitable promise of God. 186

Examples of intellectual arguments 186

Questions 187

LESSON FORTY-EIGHT: CHARACTERSTICS OF THE NEXT LIFE  188

Introduction. 188

Characteristics of the next life from an intellectual viewpoint 189

Questions 190

LESSON FORTY-NINE: FROM DEATH TO RESURRECTION  191

Introduction. 191

All men will die 191

The one who takes the soul at death. 191

Dying with difficulty or ease 192

The non-acceptance of faith and forgiveness at the time of death. 192

The value of returning to the world (dunyā) 192

Questions 193

LESSON FIFTY: THE IMAGE OF RESURRECTION IN THE QUR’AN  194

Introduction. 194

The conditions of the earth, sea and mountain. 194

The condition of the sky and stars 194

The trumpet of death. 194

The trumpet of life and the beginning of resurrection. 195

The Divine court of justice 195

Towards the eternal residence 196

Paradise 196

Hell 197

Questions 198

LESSON FIFTY-ONE: A COMPARISON BETWEEN THIS WORLD AND THE HEREAFTER  199

Introduction. 199

The finiteness of this World and infiniteness of the Hereafter 199

Isolation of Blessing from Punishment 199

The nobility of the Hereafter 200

Questions 201

LESSON FIFTY-TWO: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THIS WORLD AND HEREAFTER  202

Introduction. 202

This world is the fertile land for the Hereafter 202

The worldly benefits (blessings) will bring no prosperity in the Hereafter 203

Worldly benefits (blessings) will not lead to adversity in the Hereafter 203

Conclusion. 204

Questions 205

LESSON FIFTY-THREE: THE TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THIS WORLD AND THE HERE AFTER. 206

Introduction. 206

True or conventional relationships 206

Qur’anic Evidence 207

Questions 207

LESSON FIFTY-FOUR: THE ROLE OF FAITH AND BLASHEMY IN ONE’S ETERNAL PROSPERITY OR ADVERSITY. 209

Introduction. 209

The nature of faith and disbelief 209

The norm of faith and disbelief 210

The effect of faith and disbelief on eternal prosperity or adversity. 211

Evidence from the Qur’an. 211

Questions 212

LESSON FIFTY-FIVE: THE INTER-RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAITH AND DEEDS  213

Introduction. 213

The relationship between faith and disbelief 213

The relationship between deeds and faith. 213

Conclusion. 214

Questions 215

LESSON FIFTY-SIX: SOME IMPORTANT POINTS. 216

Introduction. 216

Man’s true perfection. 216

Intellectual clarification. 217

The role of motivation and intention. 218

Questions 218

LESSON FIFTY-SEVEN: THE MISCARRIAGE BY EVIL ACTS (Habt) AND REMITTANCE OF SINS AFTER GOOD DEEDS (Takfīr) 219

Introduction. 219

The relationship between faith and disbelief 219

The relationship between good and evil deeds 220

Questions 221

LESSON FIFTY-EIGHT: PRIVILEDGES OF THE BELIEVERS  222

Introduction. 222

Increase in reward. 222

Forgiveness of minor sins 223

Receiving benefits from the deeds of others 223

Questions 223

LESSON FIFTY-NINE: INTERSSESION  224

Introduction. 224

The concept of intercession. 224

Conditions of Intercession. 225

Questions 227

LESSON SIXTY: RESPONSES TO CERTAIN SPURIOUS DOUBTS  228

Doubt 1: 228

Response 1: 228

Doubt 2: 228

Response 2: 228

Doubt 3: 228

Response 3: 228

Doubt 4: 228

Response 4: 229

Doubt 5: 229

Response 5: 229

Doubt 6: 230

Response 6: 230

Doubt 7: 230

Response 7: 230

Questions 230

Glossary of Terms 232

Epestimology. 232

Endnotes 235