Challenges to Islamic theology


May 22nd, 2023 | Dr. Hamidreza Torabi (Director of the Academy for Islamic Theology)

Islam has a comprehensive plan in each of its three main areas - beliefs, ethics and rules of worship - to help people deal with everyday problems of life: "We will certainly grant him a good life." Nahl | 16:97)

 

فَلَنُحۡيِيَنَّهُ ۥ حَيَوٰةً۬ طَيِّبَةً۬‌ۖ

 

Messages such as:

 

1. Peace is better

2. Be on the lookout for justice

3. Maintains security in society

4. Be good, useful and exemplary fellow citizens

 

1. الصُّلْحُ خَيْرٌ‌

 

2. اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَ‌بُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ

 

3. رَ‌بِّ اجْعَلْ هَـٰذَا الْبَلَدَ آمِنًا

 

4. خَيْرَ‌ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِ‌جَتْ لِلنَّاسِ

 

For a correct understanding of Islam, counseling and exchange with Islamic scholars and Islamic theological universities are essential and their support is a necessity. Islam is a coherent and balanced system and a divine loan. Therefore, when trying to explain it in a simplified and summarized manner, we should make sure that it does not falsify:  So woe to those who write the Scripture with their own hands, and then say, “This is from God” 

(Al-Baqara | 2:79)

 

يَكْتُبُونَ الْكِتَابَ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ ثُمَّ يَقُولُونَ هَـٰذَا مِنْ عِندِ اللَّـهِ

 

The Koran's teaching and educational methods should be given more attention. For example, the Holy Quran has a special and special way in terms of education, namely that words and actions belong together! "And to purify them and teach them scripture and wisdom." (Al-Jumua'a | 62: 2)

 

وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ

 

Theological training should not only deal with purely abstract, theoretical or historical aspects or descriptions of religion. Islam is a religion of reason, where every teaching has a specific goal and purpose. The teachings must therefore be communicated so that they can be considered useful in practical life.

Unfortunately, what is largely presented to the public today as Islam is, unfortunately, mostly from people who only pretend to be Muslims, but who in their deeds and words are far from a life of godly devotion. The result is an understanding that has led to some bitter and uncomfortable circumstances for Muslims and non-Muslims.

 

If we now want to stop the danger of extremism with regard to religious education, there are two approaches:

 

The first way: to introduce an Islam that omits certain aspects and parts, so to speak: "a new Islam" that will lead to the following problems:

 

1. It is not true Islam and is not truthful

2. Suppressing or even denying the truth will, in the long run, pave the way for extremism

3. The Muslims will neither follow nor believe this “new Islam” and its representatives

 

The second way: to present true Islam and to distance yourself transparently, openly and honestly from those whose individual behavior against Islam and the opinion of the recognized scholars of Islam. This seems to be the more sensible way: learning and teaching true Islam.