Islamic Theology Series

INTRODUCTION

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Explain the purpose and scope of Module Two in the Islamic Theology Series, focusing on the creed of the early Muslims and its method of affirming beliefs without discursive argumentation.

• Define Aqida both linguistically and legally, and identify the four conditions for legal accountability (Mukallaf).

• Articulate the meaning and theological implications of the Shahada, including the negation and affirmation contained within it.

• Describe the three essential components of Din—Islam, Iman, and Ihsan—as outlined in the Hadith of Jibril, and list the six pillars of Iman.

• Summarize the historical development of the early Muslim creed and the emergence of Sunni orthodoxy through the Ash‘ari and Maturidi schools.

• Recognize the significance of Imam al-Tahawi and his text as a foundational articulation of Sunni creed, including its three core subject areas: Ilahiyyat, Nubuwwat, and Sam‘iyyat.

• Demonstrate understanding of the adab (etiquette) required in theological study, emphasizing sincerity, focus, and respect for the sacred knowledge of Allah subhana wa ta‘ala.

Theme: al-Ilāhiyyāt — Knowing Allah as He is.

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Explain how Imam al-Ṭaḥāwī’s creed establishes the unity and transcendence of God, affirming that “God is one without partner” and that “nothing is like Him.”

• Describe the divine attributes of independence, pre-eternity (Qidam), and everlastingness (Baqā), and articulate how all existence is dependent on God’s will and power.

• Distinguish between God’s incomprehensible essence and the limitations of human imagination and reason in perceiving the Divine.

• Clarify the nature of God’s attributes as beginningless, eternal, and perfect, rejecting any notion of change, deficiency, or dependence.

• Explain how God’s names, such as Creator and Originator, apply before the existence of creation, demonstrating God’s timeless sovereignty.

• Analyze the Qur’anic negation of likeness (“There is nothing like Him”) and the affirmation of divine hearing and seeing without anthropomorphism.

• Differentiate between God’s knowledge, will, and command, explaining how everything occurs according to His pre-eternal will and omniscience.

• Discuss the relationship between divine determination and human volition, recognizing that human will is created and limited by God’s overarching will.

• Interpret the Hadith of Ihsān as spiritual contemplation of God’s presence with the heart, perceiving traces of divine attributes through His acts within creation.

Theme: al-Ilāhiyyāt & al-Nubuwāt — How God communicates and governs, and Finality of the Prophethood and the Messenger ﷺ.

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Explain the doctrine of God’s will and how it governs all acts of His servants, including the meanings of mercy, justice, and the impossibility of any co-sharer or opponent to His decree. (Lines 25–30)

• Describe the rank of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, his finality in prophethood, and the universality of his mission to all creation. (31–34)

• Outline the Sunni doctrine of the Qur’an and revelation, including God’s transcendent, uncreated speech and the rejection of anthropomorphism. (35–38)

• Discuss the Beatific Vision as affirmed by Ahl al-Sunnah—vision without modality, without encompassment, and without likeness. (39)

• Apply the sound methodology of understanding scripture, including consignment (tafwīḍ), surrender (taslīm), and guarding against both anthropomorphic assimilation and interpretive negation. (40–47)

Theme: al-Sam`iyat — Belief in Miracles, the Unseen, The nature of faith and unity.

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify the key unseen matters affirmed in these lines, including the Miʿrāj, the Basin, the Intercession, and the Primordial Covenant

• Explain God’s pre-eternal knowledge of the saved and the damned and how all actions fall under His prior knowledge.

• Describe the meaning of “each is facilitated to what he was created for” and the role of one’s final act.

• Clarify why the inner workings of the divine decree are considered a prohibited secret.

Theme: al-Samʿiyyāt — A comprehensive overview of divine decree, prophetic ranks, revealed beliefs regarding the unseen, orthodoxy and consensus, the ruling on sinners, and the nature and degrees of faith.

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Explain the Sunni understanding of divine decree (qadr) and God’s absolute sovereignty 

• Describe the theological significance of the ʿArsh and Kursī and articulate God’s transcendence beyond creation 

• Identify the unique stations of Abraham (Khalīl Allāh) and Moses (Kalīm Allāh) 

• Summarize the essential belief in angels, prophets, and revealed books 

• Recognize the unity and consistency of the prophetic message across all messengers

• Clarify the limits of theological inquiry regarding God’s Essence and the tawqīfī nature of the Divine Names 

• Explain why disputation about qadr is prohibited and identify its historical dangers 

• Affirm the doctrine that the Qur’an is the uncreated speech of God 

• Apply the principles of adhering to the consensus (ijmāʿ) and the majority of Muslims 

• Differentiate between Sunni rulings on sinners versus disbelievers, and articulate why people of the qibla are not excommunicated for sins

• Articulate the balanced path of fear and hope in the believer’s spiritual life Explain the Sunni doctrine of īmān, including its essence, perfections, and the nuanced discussion on increase/decrease 

Theme: Faith, Order, and Balance — A comprehensive study of the nature of faith and its pillars, the status of major sins and salvation, repentance and intercession, communal rulings and limits of authority, adherence to mainstream scholarship, key beliefs of the unseen and afterlife, and the balance between divine decree, human responsibility, and sound, principled religious understanding.

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Explain the overall structure of the creed and its connection to prior lessons.

• Describe faith as a single reality and explain differences among believers.

• Identify the six pillars of faith, including bodily resurrection.

• Explain the obligation of affirming all messengers without distinction.

• Analyze the status of major sins and their impact on salvation.

• Describe the roles of repentance and intercession.

• Distinguish between outward and inward sins and their spiritual effects.

• Apply key communal rulings related to prayer and treatment of Muslims.

• Recognize the limits of accusing others of disbelief or hypocrisy.

• Evaluate the restrictions on violence and the proper use of authority.

• Explain principles of obedience to leaders and its limits.

• Define adherence to mainstream Sunni scholarship and its importance.

• Differentiate between judging actions and judging individuals.

• Explain the significance of certain legal issues in preserving orthodoxy.

• Summarize key beliefs about the unseen and the afterlife.

• Explain the relationship between divine decree and human responsibility.

• Describe divine sovereignty while affirming divine justice.

• Explain how supplication and charity benefit the deceased.

• Describe proper understanding and expectations of prayer.

• Explain human dependence on God.

• Distinguish between divine attributes and anthropomorphism.

• Explain the importance of honoring the Companions.

• Identify the recognized order of succession.

• Describe proper conduct toward scholars and righteous individuals.

• Affirm belief in miracles and signs of the end times.

• Evaluate false religious claims and sources of authority.

• Explain Islam as a balanced and moderate path.

• Identify core beliefs and distinguish them from deviations.

• Assess causes of religious confusion and how to avoid them.

• Explain the importance of personal conviction in belief.

• Analyze the link between belief, practice, and spiritual well-being.