Islamic Theology: The Concept of Al-Akhirah

Introduction to Philosophy & Islamic Worldview

• The course is titled "Basic Philosophy & Islamic Worldview"
• It's part of UNGS 1301
• Materials were compiled between 2018 and 2019
• Materials come from the Department of Fundamental and Interdisciplinary Studies at the International Islamic University Malaysia.

Week 1: Worldview

• Worldview is defined as a set of beliefs
• Key aspects of reality surrounding us: perception, knowledge, and action
• Related to a philosophy of life, a perception of the world and a study of the world and its aspects.
• The importance of philosophy lies in exploring wisdom, intellectual culture and the search for knowledge.
• This includes fundamental questions like the nature of existence, knowledge, the universe, and the nature of values.
• There are different kinds of philosophy: Western, Middle Eastern, Indian, Indigenous American and African philosophies, Eastern philosophy.

Week 1: Kinds of Philosophy

• Western philosophy traditionally started with pre-Socratic thinkers in 6th-century Greece
• Western philosophy is categorized into Ancient (Greco-Roman), Medieval (Christian European), and Modern eras.
• Middle Eastern philosophy originated with early philosophical wisdom literature in the regions of the Fertile Crescent, Iran, and Arabia, and is now primarily associated with Islamic culture.
• Indian philosophy encompasses diverse traditions arising from ancient times on the Indian subcontinent. Jainism and Buddhism originated before Hinduism, and Hinduism represents a fusion of various traditions.
• Indigenous American philosophy is formed of beliefs and traditions among various American cultures.
• African philosophy describes philosophy developed by African people, including worldviews, ideas, themes and philosophical methods.
• Eastern or Asian philosophy includes Chinese, Indian (including Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh), South East Asian, Japanese and Korean philosophies.

Week 1: Specific Concepts of Indian Philosophy

• Key concepts include dharma (upholds or supports), karma (act or action), artha (wealth), kama (desire), and dukkha (suffering).

Week 1: Importance of Philosophy

• Philosophy is important to all cultures and societies
• Philosophical questions include who are we? Why are we created?  Is there God? How should we live? What is the nature of reality?

Week 2: Modern & Contemporary Worldviews

• Naturalism
• Secular Humanism
• Post-Modernism

Week 2: Naturalism

• Naturalism is a materialistic theory of life and the universe that is atheistic, focusing on the mechanical view of nature.
• Naturalism denies the existence of a Creator or supernatural realities.
• Naturalism focuses on how science and technology affect society and how society and genetics affect individuals.
• Naturalism relates the scientific method to philosophy.
• It can be recognized as a "religion" and was developed by Greek and Roman Sophists.
• Concepts of naturalism were discussed by Darwin, Zola, Ibsen, Gorky, Chekhov and Gogol.

Week 2: Secular Humanism

• Secular refers to worldly, non-religious aspects of life.
• Humanism emphasizes a naturalistic worldview, limiting the physical world to all that exists or is real
• It emphasizes scientific inquiry and rejects revealed knowledge or theistic morality.
• It arose from the ethical movement in the US.

Week 2: Postmodernism

• Postmodernism, reacting to modernist dominance, applies broadly across all fields of knowledge and human affairs.
• It is a continuation of modernism but with new perspectives.
• It is a reaction to modernism's cultural dominance.
• Important concepts include skepticism, anti-dualism and questioning texts.
• Important figures include Lyotard, Derrida, Foucault.

Week 3: Islamic Worldview

• Islamic worldview is a theistic and ethical worldview contrasting with secularistic, materialistic, naturalistic and post-modern worldviews.
• It encompasses a study of perceptions of the universe, philosophies of life, worldviews, ideologies, and faiths.

Week 3-4, 5, 6, and 7: Islamic Worldview

• Included are several definitions of the Islamic worldview from different Muslim scholars (e.g., Sayyid Qutb, Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Abdul Hamid Abu Sulayman, M. Kamal Hassan, S.M. Naquib Al-Attas, Alparslan Acikgenc, and Choudhury)
• Covered a scope of Islamic worldview including metaphysics, theology, cosmology, anthropology, ontology, epistemology, teleology, axiology and eschatology.
• Included numerous characteristics of Islamic worldview.

Week 3-4, 5, 6, and 7: Tawhid

• Tawhid represents the oneness of God.
• It is the absolute and uncompromising belief that there is no God but Allah, and that there is no one worthy of worship, praise, veneration, or obedience except Allah (swt)
• Tawhid permeates all aspects of Islamic life throughout time.
• Man's inherent nature (fitrah) is to worship God (or, Allah).
• The importance of the Qur'ān.

Week 3-4, 5, 6, and 7: Further Islamic Concepts

• Included other key Islamic concepts such as  al-Rabbaniyyah (the divine origin), al-Tawhid (oneness), al-Thabat (permanence), al-Shumul (completeness), al-Tawazun/al-Wasatiyyah (balance), al-Waqiyyah (realism) and al-Ijabiyyah (dynamism).

Week 8 and 9: Al-Nubuwwah & Al-Akhirah

• Al-Nubuwwah refers to the Prophets and their role in conveying God's (Allah's) message to humankind.
• Al-Nubuwwah highlights the Prophets as role models who convey and explain the divine message to people and advise people against wrong-doings.
• Al-Akhirah refers to the afterlife and encompasses the concept of ultimate destiny of humankind
• Islamic belief regarding the afterlife.

Week 8 and 9: Additional Details - Al-Nubuwwah

• The institution of Nubuwwah (“Prophethood”) has ended with Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the final prophet.
• Following the Sunnah of the Prophet is a Muslim's obligation.
• Severe punishment befalls those who do not follow the Prophet's teachings.

Week 8 and 9: Additional Details - Al-Akhirah

• The concept of the afterlife is essential to Islam and it is where people's deeds will be assessed.
• Belief in Al-Akhirah underscores the importance of divine justice.
• Benefits of believing in Al-Akhirah for the individual and society are included.

This quiz explores the concept of 'al-Akhirah' in Islamic theology, emphasizing its significance in relation to the afterlife and eschatology. Participants will assess their understanding of how 'al-Akhirah' contrasts with earthly existence and its implications for Islamic teachings on divine justice and cosmology.