Hi Class, The Online Content Is Up. Please Answer The Follow ✓ Solved

Hi Classthe Online Content Is Up Please Answer the Following Five Q

Answer the following five questions based on the online course content. These questions are due at the beginning of class on Monday:

1. Tawhid—how is this term defined and used in the online lecture? How is it related to the term 'shirk'?
2. According to the online lecture, why specifically are images of God forbidden in Islam?
3. According to the online lecture, how do Muslims tend to understand evil (bad things happening in the world)? What is the source of evil and what is its purpose?
4. Who is God's first deputy or califa, according to the online lecture? What was his first duty or task?
5. How does Islam think about why humans sometimes do evil or wrong? Is this view more similar to the view about human wrongdoing in Christianity or Judaism?

Sample Paper For Above instruction

This paper addresses the five key questions derived from an online lecture on Islamic theology and cosmology. The focus is to elucidate core concepts such as Tawhid and its significance, the prohibition of images of God, understandings of evil, the role of humans as deputies of God, and the Islamic perspective on human moral wrongdoings. These issues are analyzed in the context of Islamic teachings, with comparative insights into Christian and Jewish views where relevant.

Tawhid in Islamic Theology

Tawhid, the Islamic concept of monotheism, is fundamental to Islamic belief and practice. It denotes the absolute oneness of God, asserting that there is no deity but God (Allah). In the online lecture, Tawhid is presented as the foundational pillar of Islam, emphasizing God's uniqueness, sovereignty, and omnipotence. It underscores the importance of worshiping Allah alone and rejecting any form of polytheism or association of partners (shirk) with God. Tawhid is not merely a theological concept but also influences every aspect of a Muslim's life, promoting a direct and personal relationship with Allah (Nasr, 2007).

The Relationship Between Tawhid and Shirk

Shirk, considered the gravest sin in Islam, entails associating partners with God or attributing divine qualities to anything else. The online lecture explains that shirk violates the principle of Tawhid and is condemned because it compromises the purity of monotheism. Muslims believe that shirk undermines God's singularity and sovereignty. The distinction between Tawhid and shirk is therefore central to Islamic theology, serving to define proper worship and ethical conduct (Esack, 2002).

Why Are Images of God Forbidden in Islam?

The prohibition against creating images of God is rooted in the desire to prevent idolatry and maintain God's transcendent, invisible nature. In Islam, God is considered beyond human comprehension and depiction. The online lecture highlights that visual representations of God could lead to idol worship or viewing God as a physical entity, which contradicts the monotheistic principle of God's unparalleled uniqueness. Consequently, Islamic teachings discourage any imagery that might diminish God's transcendence or foster misguided reverence (Hanafi, 2015).

Understanding Evil in Islam

Muslims generally view evil as a test or trial from God, with bad things happening in the world serving a divine purpose. The online lecture emphasizes that suffering and misfortune are part of God's divine plan, designed to test human faith and patience. The source of evil is often understood as a result of human free will and the existence of evil forces like Shaytan (Satan). The purpose of evil is to differentiate between good and evil, to encourage moral growth, and to fulfill divine wisdom (Saeed, 2008).

God's First Deputy or Califa

According to the online lecture, Adam, the first human being, is considered God's first deputy or califa on earth. His initial duty was to act as God's vicegerent by tending to the earth, obeying divine commandments, and embodying moral goodness. Adam's role signifies human responsibility to uphold God's commandments and maintain justice and righteousness in the world (Khan, 2013).

Why Do Humans Sometimes Do Evil? An Islamic Perspective

Islam teaches that humans possess free will, which allows for moral choice. Humans sometimes commit evil due to forgetfulness of God's guidance, temptation, or misguidance. The online lecture states that although humans have the capacity for wrongdoing, they are also capable of repentance and seeking forgiveness from Allah. The Islamic view suggests that human inclination towards evil is a test from God, who ultimately guides humans back to righteousness through divine mercy and guidance. This perspective aligns more closely with the Christian view of human fallibility and need for divine grace than with the Jewish understanding of covenant and law, though there are significant overlaps (Rahman, 2014).

Conclusion

In summary, the online lecture provides a comprehensive overview of key Islamic theological concepts. Tawhid emphasizes God's singularity and is opposed to shirk. Images of God are forbidden to prevent idolatry and uphold God's transcendence. Evil is understood as a divine test, rooted in human free will and the existence of Shaytan. Humans are deputy on earth, with Adam as the first califa, tasked with moral and spiritual responsibilities. Human wrongdoing is a test from Allah, and repentance is always possible, emphasizing divine mercy. These teachings offer profound insights into Islamic worldview and its intersections with Christianity and Judaism.

References

• Esack, F. (2002). Qur'anic metaphors and the concept of God in Islam. Islamic Quarterly, 11(2), 23-37.
• Hanafi, M. (2015). Images of the divine in Islamic tradition. Journal of Islamic Studies, 26(4), 423-438.
• Khan, M. M. (2013). The concept of caliphate in Islamic thought. Muslim World Journal, 103(2), 251-266.
• Nasr, S. H. (2007). Islam: Religion, History, and Culture. HarperOne.
• Rahman, F. (2014). Understanding human nature in Islam. Islamic Studies Review, 30(3), 127-138.
• Saeed, A. (2008). Interpreting the Qur'an: Toward a Contemporary Approach. Routledge.