KONSEP KETUHANAN DALAM ISLAM

Summary

This lecture delves into the Islamic concept of God, focusing on the significance of *Tauhid* (the oneness of God). It contrasts the difference between the questions 'Who is God?' and 'What is God?', explaining how the Quran defines God as 'Ilah'—the object of ultimate reverence. The lecture explores the natural human inclination towards monotheism, emphasizing that belief in one God is innate. It further discusses the two aspects of *Tauhid* (Rububiyah and Uluhiyah) and warns against *Syirik* (associating others with Allah) and *Kufur* (disbelief), underscoring the importance of exclusive worship of Allah alone.

Takeaways

• 😀 The session discusses the concept of God (Tuhan) in Islam, exploring the differences between various religions and focusing on the uniqueness of Islamic theology.
• 😀 The concept of 'Tuhan' (God) is central to the understanding of monotheism in Islam, and it is distinct from polytheism or idolatry.
• 😀 The question 'What is God?' is more profound and complex than 'Who is God?', as it requires understanding the true nature of divinity.
• 😀 The term 'ilah' in the Quran refers to anything revered or considered divine, as seen in the example of Pharaoh claiming to be the 'god' of his people.
• 😀 The concept of idolatry (syirik) is emphasized, where anything that takes the place of true worship of God is considered a form of polytheism.
• 😀 Islam teaches that humans are inherently inclined to seek God, and this innate drive is referred to as 'fitrah', which leads them towards recognizing the one true God.
• 😀 The Quran highlights that the human soul carries an innate agreement (covenant) with God to acknowledge His divinity, as demonstrated by the verse from Surah Ar-Rum.
• 😀 The evolution of human beliefs about God is discussed, starting from animism to polytheism, henotheism, and finally reaching the belief in one God, or monotheism.
• 😀 The lecture differentiates between two forms of monotheism in Islamic theology: 'Tauhid Rububiyah' (God as the sole creator and sustainer of the universe) and 'Tauhid Uluhiyah' (God as the only one worthy of worship).
• 😀 The lecture also touches on the dangers of 'syirik' (associating partners with God) and 'kufur' (denial of God's existence), stressing that these are serious offenses in Islamic faith.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the lecture?

The main topic of the lecture is the concept of God in Islam, focusing on the belief in the oneness of God (Tawhid), and how humans understand and relate to God.

How does the speaker differentiate between the questions 'Who is God?' and 'What is God?'

The speaker explains that the question 'Who is God?' is about identifying God (e.g., Allah in Islam), while 'What is God?' is about understanding the essence and nature of God, which can have different answers depending on one's perspective.

What examples from the Quran are used to explain the concept of God?

The speaker uses examples like Pharaoh declaring himself as the only god for his people and people worshipping their desires (hawa nafsu) to illustrate the misuse of reverence and the concept of God in the Quran.

What is the significance of the word 'Ilah' in the Quran?

'Ilah' in the Quran refers to an object or being that is revered or worshiped by humans. It highlights the idea that people may elevate things, like Pharaoh or their own desires, to the status of god, even if these things are not truly divine.

What is the evolutionary theory of how humans come to know God, according to Western thought?

The evolutionary theory, as presented in the lecture, suggests that human belief in God evolves in stages, starting with animism (belief in spiritual forces), moving to polytheism (belief in many gods), then henotheism (belief in one supreme god among others), and finally monotheism (belief in one God).

How does the Quran's perspective on human understanding of God differ from Western evolutionary theories?

The Quran asserts that belief in one true God (monotheism) is innate in human nature (*Fitrah*), and humans are born with this natural inclination to worship God. This contrasts with the Western evolutionary theory, which proposes that humans gradually arrived at the concept of one God through various stages of belief.

What is the concept of *Tawhid* in Islam?

*Tawhid* in Islam refers to the belief in the oneness of God, meaning that Allah is the sole creator, sustainer, and ruler of the universe. It is the foundation of Islamic faith.

What are the two main aspects of *Tawhid*?

The two main aspects of *Tawhid* are: 1) *Tawhid Rububiyah* - belief that Allah is the sole creator and sustainer of the universe, and 2) *Tawhid Uluhiyah* - belief that Allah is the only one worthy of worship and devotion.

What is the difference between *Tawhid Rububiyah* and *Tawhid Uluhiyah*?

*Tawhid Rububiyah* refers to the belief in Allah as the sole creator and ruler of the universe, while *Tawhid Uluhiyah* refers to the belief that Allah alone is worthy of worship and obedience.

What does 'Shirk' mean in Islam, and why is it considered a grave sin?

'Shirk' means associating partners with Allah or giving divine status to anything other than God. It is considered one of the gravest sins in Islam because it directly contradicts the belief in the oneness of God (*Tawhid*).