Month: July 2020

“Evil and Human Suffering in Islamic Thought: Towards a Mystical Theodicy” by Dr. Nasrin Rouzati

Dr. Nasrin Rouzati, holds a Bachelor degree in Broadcast Journalism, Masters in Educational Technology, and a Ph.D. in Islamic Studies from University of Durham, UK. Along with having a full time career as the Director of Technology for New York school districts, Dr. Rouzati joined the Department of Religious Studies, Manhattan College, New York in 2007. While a part time faculty member, in 2018 she was promoted to Associate Professor position. Dr. Rouzati has taught World Religion courses, and currently teaches two upper class courses on Islam. Some of her areas of interests include: Qur’anic Studies, Islamic Theology, Islamic Mysticism, Theodicy, and Comparative Theology. Dr. Rouzati’s book, Trial and Tribulations in the Qur’an: A Mystical Theodicy was published in 2015. She is also the author of other scholarly articles in the area of Islamic studies. Webinar Title: Evil and Human Suffering in Islamic Thought: Towards a Mystical Theodicy Abstract: This paper sheds light on the treatment of the ‘problem of evil’ and human suffering from an Islamic perspective. I begin by providing an overview of the term ‘evil’ in the Qur’an to highlight its multidimensional meaning and to demonstrate the overall portrait of this notion as it is presented in the Islamic revelation through the narrative of the prophet Job. Having established a Qur’anic framework, I will then provide a brief historical overview of the formation of philosophical and theological debates surrounding “good” and “bad/evil” and the origination of Muslim theodicean thought. This will lead us to Ghazalian theodicy and the famous dictum of the “best of all possible worlds” by one of the most influential scholars of Islamic thought, Abu Hamid Ghazalı. The final section of this paper will explore the Sufi/ mystical tradition of Islam through the teachings of one of the most distinguished mystics of Islam, Jalal al-Dın Rumi. The conclusion of the paper will attempt to bring about a new understanding of how the so-called “problem of evil” is not presented in Islam as a problem but rather as an instrument in the actualization of God’s plan, which is intertwined with human experiences in this world—an experience that is necessary for man’s spiritual development. Keywords: problem of evil; theodicy; Qur’an; Job; good; evil; al Ghazalı; mysticism; Islam.

Dr. Tubanur Yeşilhark Özkan: “The problem of ‘evil’: What is created when sharr happens?”

The title of this paper suggests that sharr is not something that is created and therefore sharr does not exist. Sharr does not exist but it can ‘happen.’ So, what is it then, that is created, when sharr happens? This chapter is not about theodicy, in other words, it will not defend God by trying to find answers to questions such as how can sharr be reconciled with God’s omnipotence and compassion? Why did God create Satan knowing that he will misguide human beings? etc. It rather is an ontological exercise, trying to comprehend the non-existence of sharr despite its apparent occurrence.

Summer School Certificate Program at Uskudar University has Started

Participants from several countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, UK, USA, Turkey, Nigeria, Egypt, Guyana, UAE, Singapore and India are participating in the course.

The program aims to teach a unique method to derive certain character lessons from scientific knowledge. It is based on a premise that ideology-free science and authentic Divine messages do not contradict each other, as they both come from the same source. It assumes that the universe is an elegant book with full of meaning (signs). It considers pure science as a great way to reveal the Divine signs in the book of the universe. However, it claims that modern scientists do not know how to read this book. The program will present five-dimensional (5D) thinking approach based on Said Nursi’s mana-i harfi method to read the book of the universe. Participants will gain a new understanding of scientific knowledge through 5D thinking which consists of 1) analytical thinking, 2) analogical thinking 3) critical thinking, 4) meditative thinking, and 5) moral thinking. The 5D thinking approach is expected to function like 5D glasses showing multi-dimensions of the reality and life pleasure.