Islamic theology

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Islamic theology is a branch of Islamic studies regarding the beliefs associated with the Islamic faith.

[edit] Types of theology

Muslim theology is the theology that derived from the Qur'an, Hadith, and the Muhammad's life. The contents of Muslim theology can be divided into theology proper such as theodicy, eschatology, anthropology, apophatic theology, and comparative religion.

[edit] Eschatology

Main article: Islamic eschatology

Eschatology is literally understood as the last things or ultimate things and in Muslim theology, eschatology refers to the end of this world and what will happen in the next world or hereafter. Eschatology covers the death of human beings, their souls after their bodily death, the total destruction of this world, the resurrection of human souls, the final judgments of human deeds by Allah after the resurrection, and the rewards and punishments for the believers and non-believers respectively. The places for the believers in the hereafter are known as Paradise and for the non-believers as Hell.

[edit] Comparative religion

Main article: Islam and other religions

Comparative religion in Muslim theology is about the differences and similarities between Muslim theology and other theologies such as Christian, Jewish theologies as explained in the Qur'an and the Prophetic traditions.

[edit] Differences between various Muslim groups

In the history of Muslim theology, there have been theological schools among Muslims displaying both similarities and differences with each other in regard to beliefs.

[edit] Sunni view

Sunni Muslims hold that there are six articles of belief: belief in Allah, in angels, in divinely revealed scripture, in prophets, in the "Last Day" or end times, and in predestination.

[edit] Shia view

Shi`ite Muslims hold that there are five articles of belief: the Divine Oneness and Justice, the Prophethood, the Imamate, and eschatology.

[edit] Mu`tazilite view

In terms of the relationship between human beings and their creator, Mu`tazilites emphasize human free will over predestination and God's justice over God's omnipotence. Mu'tazilites also believe in the use of logic to deduct the true meanings of the Qur'an. This, combined with the principal of Ijtihad, led to their belief in Dynamic Fiqh.

[edit] See also

• Aqidah
• Islamic eschatology

[edit] References