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Islam: God and Ultimate Reality

Anthropomorphic Language and Ta'wil

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 2

Overview

Recall questions on anthropomorphic language about God, the problem it creates, the two errors theologians avoid and the meaning of ta'wil.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Why does anthropomorphic language about God create a theological problem in Islam?

Key term

What criticism is made of the Mutazili approach?

Key term

What in the founder’s own life shaped the Ashari middle position?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Explain what is meant by anthropomorphic language about God.

    Model answer

    It is language that speaks of God in human terms, such as having a hand or a face, or being seated on a throne.

  2. 2

    Why does such language create a theological problem?

    Model answer

    Taken literally it appears to give God a body and parts, which would contradict the teaching that nothing is like Him.

  3. 3

    Define ta’wil.

    Model answer

    It is the figurative or metaphorical interpretation of a scriptural expression.

  4. 4

    Summarise the Mutazili approach to the hand and the face of God.

    Model answer

    They read them figuratively, taking the hand as God’s power or generosity and the face as His essence or His favour, since a literal reading would give God parts.

  5. 5

    On what principle do Mutazili scholars let reason guide the reading of such verses?

    Model answer

    They hold God’s unity and justice to be truths reason can establish, so any text that appears to contradict them must be interpreted in line with them.

  6. 6

    What further Mutazili doctrine followed from their view of God’s attributes?

    Model answer

    They held the Qur’an to be created rather than eternal, since an eternal attribute existing alongside God would compromise His unity.

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