The relation between the human will and the Divine Will is an issue that can be deeply troubling for the reflective Muslim. Islamic Revelation clearly and emphatically indicates both that the human being is responsible for real choices and actions and that every event occurs only as Allah wills. This represents one of the deepest mysteries in the history of Islamic theology. Thus, we will not pretend to find its answer. Instead, we will explore the nature of the question itself and how it presents itself in the life of the Muslim, focusing especially on the ramifications of the possible attitudes toward the seeming paradox with respect to one’s relationship with Allah and the challenges of daily life. Lastly, we will suggest that the essential elements of the problem of free will and determinism remain as a universal feature of the human condition even when removed from any theological context.
Readings for the above topic are available here:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=J81GRCRQ
Alternatively you can also get it from this website:
http://muslim-canada.org/sufi/ghacontents.html
Speaker:
Edward Omar Moad, Visiting Fellow
Department of Philosophy
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
National University of Singapore
Edward Moad is on a postdoctoral fellowship at the Department of Philosophy at the National University of Singapore. His main interests are in metaphysics and Islamic philosophy. Recent appointments include Lecturer at the University of Texas Pan-American, Graduate Student Instructor at University of Missouri-Columbia, and Drive-thru Cash Register Customer Service Representative at Taco Bell on 7 highway in Blue Springs, MO USA.
Programme
Monday 12 May 2008
| 6.15pm | Registration |
| 6.40pm | Welcome Address by Young AMP |
| 6.45pm | Staging of Genap 40 – Exactly 40 days by Irfan Kasban |
| 7.00 pm | Presentation on “Freewill in the Grand Design of the Creator” Dr. Omar Edward Moad Post-Doctoral Fellow Department of Philosopy, NUS |
| 7.30pm | Break for Maghrib and light refreshments |
| 8.00pm | Floor Discussion |
| 9.10pm | Closing Remarks |
In 40
by Irfan Kasban
In 40 days, a sperm and egg becomes a drop of blood, a chunk of meat, and then its roh (soul) to be blown into it by an angel on the 40th day. Along with its roh, four other decrees will also be written onto it; takdir, rezeki, iman and ajal (fate, sustenance, faith and finiteness). Hawa who is pregnant, receives a premonition that she will meet the angel, Malaikat, on the 39th day, where she manages to enquire about the fate of her child, and herself, and reveals her master plan in challenging predestination.
