Monday, March 30, 2020

Doctrines of Islam Handout 05 (Argument based on Fitra)

Outline

                                                              i.      Argument based on Fitra (Human innate nature)
1.     Meaning of Fitra
2.     Division of Fitra
a.      Conative
                                                                                                                                      i.      Yearning for eternity
                                                                                                                                    ii.      Yearning for perfection
                                                                                                                                  iii.      Yearning for pleasure
                                                                                                                                  iv.      Yearning for comfort
                                                                                                                                    v.      Yearning for creativity and innovation
                                                                                                                                  vi.      Yearning for moral virtues
                                                                                                                                vii.      Love and devotion
                                                                                                                              viii.      All of these stem from self-love (conatus)?
b.     Cognitive
3.     Historical Precedents (tabula rasa and human inherit knowledge)
a.      Later philosophical treatment (Cartesian craftsman’s mark)
4.     Qur’an and Hadith formulation of the argument
5.     Different Versions of the argument by Muslim theologians
6.     Argument of the Sincere
7.     Argument from common consensus and its difference from Argument from Fitra
Related Verses in Qur'an

Their apostles said "Is there any doubt about God, the originator of the heavens and the earth?! He calls you to forgive you a part of your sins, and grants you respite until a specified time." They said "You are nothing but humans like us who desire to bar us from what our fathers used to worship. So bring us a manifest authority." 14:10

When distress befalls people, they supplicate their Lord, turning to Him in penitence. Then, when He lets them taste His mercy, behold, a part of them ascribe partners to their Lord. 30:33

Say "Who delivers you from the darkness of land and sea, [when] You invoke Him suppliantly and secretly: "If He delivers us from this, we will surely be among the grateful"?" Say "It is God who delivers you from them and from every agony, [but] then you ascribe partners [to Him].” 6:63-64

It is He who carries you across land and sea. When you are in the ships, and they sail with them with a favorable wind, rejoicing in it, there comes upon them a tempestuous wind and waves assail them from every side, and they think that they are besieged, they invoke God putting exclusive faith in Him "If You deliver us from this, we will surely be among the grateful.” But when He delivers them, behold, they commit violations on the earth unduly! O mankind! Your violations are only to your own detriment. [These are] the wares of the life of this world; then to Us will be your return, whereat We will inform you concerning what you used to do. 10:22-23

And when distress befalls you at sea, those whom you invoke besides Him are forsaken. But when He delivers you to land, you are disregardful [of Him] . And man is very ungrateful. 17:67

Thus did We show Abraham the dominions of the heavens and the earth, that he might be of those who possess certitude. When night darkened over him, he saw a star and said, "This is my Lord!" But when it set, he said, "I do not like those who set. Then, when he saw the moon rising, he said, "This is my Lord!" But when it set, he said, "Had my Lord not guided me, I would surely have been among the astray lot.”
Then, when he saw the sun rising, he said, "This is my Lord! This is bigger!" But when it set, he said, "O my people, indeed I disown what you take as [His] partners. Indeed I have turned my face toward Him who originated the heavens and the earth, as a Hanif, and I am not one of the polytheists.” 6:75-79

Book Excerpts



Shaykh Saduq on Fitra

Ayt. Tabatabae's formulation of the Argument of the Sincere by M. Legenhausen

Natural Disposition or Fitra by H. Qara'ati

Ayt. Mutahhari on Fitra

S. S. Akhtar Rizvi on Fitra

Rabbani Golpaygani on Argument based on Fitra
Webpage links


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