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The Study of Muslim Conflicts
Why?
I find myself less and less patient and satisfied with
assertions that “Islam teaches us...” This seems to me to
be an attempt to bypass the role of Muslims in articulating
this thing called Islam. Let me be clear, and perhaps
controversial here: “Islam” teaches us nothing. The
Prophet Muhammad does. Interpretive communities do. I
would argue that God does, through the text of the Qur’an.
But in the case of texts, there are human beings who read
them, interpret them, and expound their meanings...In all
cases, the dissemination of Divine teachings is achieved
through human agency. Religion is already mediated. Omid Safi
Who have been your Agents in understanding Islam?
The Study of Muslim Conflicts
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Why study this?
Islam is neither uniform nor simple. Let us
learn the different perspectives and allow
individuals to judge which one is the best
for themselves.
The Study of Muslim Conflicts
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Why do Muslims believe Muhammad
(pbuh) was a prophet and no prophet will
come after him?
How does academia answer this question?
Are Muslims required to reject any prophets
who appeared before or after the Prophet
Muhammad?
The Three Fundamentals of Faith
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Does my existence have purpose?
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Is there any proof of a Divine existence?
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Is there any proof of life after death?
God, Prophethood, The Hereafter
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Are there clear signs? Yes.
Is the evidence undeniable? No. That
would contradict the purpose of rewarding
faith.
What is Faith?
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The conflation of submission/practice and
faith.
The conflation of faith and certainty.
The Leap of Faith is to trust. More
specifically: to trust certain theological
doctrines to be true.
1. Assume 2. Trust 3. Know
The source of faith
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Faith as a conscious decision to trust.
Faith consists of a mixture of knowledge, will,
love and hope.
Are there objects, exercises or habits in your life
that increase your faith? Are there things that
decrease your faith?
“Signs” in the philosophy of the Quran
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The ordered, transient, physical and biological
world around us.
The Rare Earth Theory: Astrobiologists claim
complex life is incredibly unlikely to exist
elsewhere in the galaxy due to various extremely
rare events that allowed Earth to come into
existence.
What does the scarcity of complex life in our
galaxy induce you to ask?
“Signs” in the philosophy of the Quran
What if extraordinarily pious, ascetic, wise and
compassionate men, who never erred in their
teachings and taught their societies the meaning
of virtue also swore in the existence of a Divine
Source? Would you believe them? What if they
said there was a purpose to life?
The Qur'an criticizes those who refuse to believe
those prophets for no tangible reason.
Why Should I have faith?
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We doubt the testimony of those who are either
unwise or untruthful in their words. There is no
clear reason to doubt prophets and their
testimony because they were pious men who
spoke with wisdom.
How do I establish fundamental proofs in my faith?
1. The Qur'an
2. The Collective Memory
3. Collective Practice
4. Reason
Interpretive Communities & Agency