So our group had two of the "al's": al-Rawandi & al-Razi. They are coined as the two major authors of Muslim doubt. Al-Rawandi supported the eternity of the world, stating that God did not create it. His most famous book is a conversation between him and Muhammad al-Warraq. Al-Warraq stated that God is an idiot for "He who orders his slave to do things that he knows him to be incapable of doing, then punishes him, is a fool". However this made me think of the saying "God never gives you more than you can handle", many Christians highly believe this. They also discussed in his novel, the idea of prophecy. Al-Warraq believed that Muhammad may have just been a good guesser, not actually having knowledge of the future. Al-Rawandi tries to defend this stating that Moses and Jesus saw the coming of Muhammad.
We discussed this topic saying that many have predicted events but they could be taken very generally. If there was something like a specific date it would be more concrete.
Al-Rawandi was greatly hated for his beliefs, however, al-Razi, with just about the same thoughts, was beloved. He was devoted to his community and held on a higher pedestal because of his intellect. He was a doctor and chemist. He had studies that were translated to be used as teaching manuals in various European universities.
Factual question: What was al-Rawandi's most famous book? [The Book of Emerald]
Discussion: What is your opinion on prophecies? Do you think they really know the future or are just great educated guessers?
I don't feel that anyone really knows the future. I think that prophecies were educated guesses by individuals who thought they knew what was going to happen. However, in my mind and my opinion that the only person that ever knows what is going to happen is God.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I claim a religion, and I most deffinately believe in God, I am not very educated on the subject of prophets. As of now, I do believe that prophets are real and God sent them to deliever his messages. I don’t think God gave everyone the same knowledge because then there wouldn’t be any reason to believe in him; everyone would already know the answers. Al-Razi writes in one of his books, “ the most fitting behavior of the wise one would be to give everyone the same necessary knowledge.” He says, “He should not set some individuals over others.” He also says [no planning, compasionate God] would do this. I think he is wrong. God doesn’t put everyone on the same path or make anyone suffer equally or be blessed egually. Also, I must add that I believe nobody can judge God or even state what “the wise one” would do because we are only mere human beings and do not have the capability to understand the wisdom behind God’s decisions. Therfore, I do believe prophets are very real. However, to answer why I believe so, based on more factual evidence, I would need to research the significance of prophecy atleast within my own claimed religion.
ReplyDeleteQuestions for next reading;
1. Factual: The Zohar claimed that Jewish law did not need to be defended rationally at all. Answer; TRUE
2. Discussion: According to the Zohar each individual, going through his or her lawful obligations, was mystically fixing the world. Can your mind resonate this idea with your personal experiences?
I believe that some people may be influenced or gifted with a view of what may happen, or what will happen. some insight can be achieved but, you can never know for sure what will happen in the coming days.
ReplyDeleteJust as the Myans foresaw the natural disasters that have happened, they can never know exactly what will happen.
As philosophy in itself, i believe, is opinionated, every view or theory that an event will happen or a person will come, is opinionated as well.