EPS 30 "Logika Berhadapan dengan Logika"

Summary

In this episode, the speaker explores the discipline of Ilmu Kalam, Islamic theology that employs logic to understand and defend beliefs about Allah's oneness (Tawhid). The discussion centers on the intellectual debate between Imam al-Ash'ari and Imam al-Jubai, two prominent figures with differing views on divine justice and mercy, particularly regarding the fate of individuals in the afterlife. The conversation also delves into the Muktazila school’s rejection of divine attributes as separate from God's essence and contrasts this with the Ash'ari perspective. The episode emphasizes how Islamic Kalam intertwines logic with theological discourse, mirroring Western philosophical traditions in its use of reason to resolve theological issues.

Takeaways

• 😀 Logic plays a central role in Kalam (Islamic theology), particularly in discussions about the oneness of Allah.
• 😀 Unlike other theological sciences like Aqidah or Usuluddin, Kalam heavily relies on logical arguments, in addition to Quranic verses and Hadith.
• 😀 Different theological schools in Kalam use logic in varying degrees, leading to disagreements and debates based on logical reasoning.
• 😀 A key example of such debates is the discussion between Imam Ash'ari and Imam Al-Jubai regarding the fate of children, non-believers, and the concept of divine justice.
• 😀 Imam Al-Jubai argued that children could not attain a higher place in paradise because they have not yet demonstrated obedience to Allah.
• 😀 Imam Ash'ari countered by asking whether children could express a desire to earn a higher place in paradise, but Al-Jubai's answer ultimately revealed a flaw in his reasoning based on divine love (logika pengasihan).
• 😀 The logic of divine justice (logika keadilan), which emphasizes fairness and the consequences of actions, stood stronger in this debate, highlighting its priority over divine love in this context.
• 😀 Another debate discussed was the Mu'tazili position on God's attributes, specifically the concept of 'nafyu sifat' (denial of attributes), where God's attributes cannot be seen as distinct or attached to His essence.
• 😀 Wasil bin Ata, a prominent Mu'tazili figure, argued that God's knowledge is not separate from His essence, while Imam Ash'ari disagreed, stressing that God's knowledge and essence are distinct.
• 😀 Despite the philosophical nature of these debates, Kalam is not simply a duplication of Greek philosophy or Western modern philosophy, but it does reflect some influence from these traditions.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the science of Kalam in Islamic theology?

The main focus of the science of Kalam is to discuss the oneness of Allah (Tawhid), and it emphasizes the use of logic in building arguments, often supported by Quranic verses and hadiths.

How does the approach of Kalam differ from other Islamic theological sciences like Aqeedah and Usuluddin?

While Aqeedah and Usuluddin focus more on doctrinal approaches, Kalam emphasizes the use of logic and reasoning in its arguments, making it distinct in how it addresses theological questions.

What was the key difference in the use of logic between the theologians Imam Ash'ari and Imam al-Jubai?

Imam Ash'ari used the logic of justice (Adalah) in his arguments, whereas Imam al-Jubai employed the logic of compassion (Rahmah), which led to different theological conclusions on topics like the fate of children in the afterlife.

What was the disagreement between Imam Ash'ari and Imam al-Jubai regarding the fate of children in the afterlife?

Imam Ash'ari argued that if a child could express a desire to obey God, it might earn a higher rank in paradise, while Imam al-Jubai believed that children could not earn such rewards due to their lack of responsibility or sin.

How did Imam Ash'ari respond to Imam al-Jubai's position on the fate of children?

Imam Ash'ari countered Imam al-Jubai's position by suggesting a hypothetical scenario where a child would express a willingness to obey God, asking whether this could lead to a higher rank in paradise.

What is the concept of 'logika pengasihan' used by Imam al-Jubai, and how does it relate to his theological views?

'Logika pengasihan' (logic of compassion) is a concept from the Mu'tazilah school, where God's actions are seen as motivated by kindness and doing what is best for human beings, in contrast to the more justice-oriented logic of Imam Ash'ari.

What theological problem arises from the Mu'tazilah belief that God's attributes cannot be separate from His essence?

The problem arises from the idea that if God's attributes, like knowledge, were separate from His essence, it would imply that God has more than one essence, potentially violating the concept of God's absolute unity (Tawhid).

How did Abu al-Ghuzail respond to the Mu'tazilah's rejection of God's attributes being distinct from His essence?

Abu al-Ghuzail argued that while God has knowledge, it is not an attribute separate from His essence, but rather the knowledge itself is His essence. He cited the Quranic verse 'Inna Allahu Alimun Biilmin' (Allah is knowledgeable with knowledge, and His knowledge is His essence).

What was Imam Ash'ari's criticism of the Mu'tazilah's understanding of God's knowledge?

Imam Ash'ari criticized the Mu'tazilah by arguing that knowledge cannot be equated with God's essence, as it would make the concept of God illogical. He emphasized that God's knowledge is distinct from His essence and that we cannot pray to knowledge itself.

What role does logic play in the study of Kalam compared to other philosophical traditions?

In Kalam, logic is used as a tool for defending and clarifying theological positions, similar to how logic is used in Greek and modern Western philosophy. However, Kalam is not a mere duplication of philosophy but uses logic within the framework of Islamic revelation and faith.