Doubts & Misconceptions in Islam (Keraguan & Salah Tanggapan dalam Islam)

Module Description

Is there space for doubt in one’s journey in the pursuit of faith in Islam? What are the root causes of these doubts and can they be addressed or intervened? Are there misconceptions that have affected the faith of Muslims especially the youth that needs to be clarified?

Doubt may lead individuals to rebuke certain aspects of doctrines of Islam or even abandon Islam totally. Yet doubt may also be a natural process of thinking and questioning in solidifying one’s belief, as can be evidenced even from our classical Islamic traditions. In modern times, this crisis of faith and doubt may stem from multiple factors such as moral and social concerns, philosophical and scientific concerns, and even psychological distress or trauma. Divine guidance and knowledge are important to overcome doubt.

Misconceptions on sensitive religious concepts such as jihad and Islam being a religion of fear and punishment, as well as social misconceptions of intolerance of Islam for inter- and intra-faith relations have confused not only the non-Muslims but also misled some Muslims as well. Hence there is a need to address these misconceptions, so as not to perpetuate their negative effects in our secular and plural society.

This module will discuss the issue of doubts and misconceptions in Islam, its multiple root causes and consequences and ways to address them, in the context of a plural society and a global world.

Module Objectives

This module aims to achieve the following learning objectives:

• Explain the various definitions of the concept of doubt and its causes from religious-socio perspectives.

• Identify appropriate ways to address the different causes of religious doubt in Islam.

• Identify and address specific religious and social misconceptions on Islam.

• To be a more confident and self-reliant Muslim in a secular state, plural society and global world.

Module Outline (10 hours)

In this 10 hours module, participants will be covering the following topics:

• Definition of doubt and yaqin.

• The different types and phases of doubts.

• The causes and sources of doubt in Islam.

• Insights from a quantitative study on religious doubt.

• The overview of misconceptions about Islam.

• Islam's stance on the misconceptions about Islam.

• Addressing misconception that Allah is a God to be feared and Islam a religion founded on fear and punishment.

• Addressing misconception that Islam is intolerant of inter and intra-faith relations and Muslim community is socially exclusivist community.

Payment should be made directly to the mosque.