UNGS 2040

Islam and Knowledge • IntroductionIntroduction The sense of Sacred The sense of Sacred has disappeared from has disappeared from the modern and post the modern and post modern (Western) modern (Western) conception of conception of knowledge.knowledge.

DefinitionDefinition Knowledege literally means to Knowledege literally means to

know, to understand, to know, to understand, to perceive, to be familiar and perceive, to be familiar and acquainted with on intensive acquainted with on intensive knowledge.knowledge.

• Everything Everything existent is existent is considered as a considered as a progression, a progression, a development or development or evolution of evolution of what is lies in what is lies in the eternal the eternal matter.matter.

Modern and Post Modern Modern and Post Modern ThoughtThought

• Accepts reason and relies Accepts reason and relies more on sense experience.more on sense experience.

• Denies authority and intuition.Denies authority and intuition.

• Rejects revelation and religion Rejects revelation and religion as a source of true knowledge.as a source of true knowledge.

Vision on RealityVision on Reality• Reality Reality (haqiqah(haqiqah) is restricted to ) is restricted to

natural world which considered as natural world which considered as the only level of reality.the only level of reality.

• The denial of reality and The denial of reality and existence of God is implied existence of God is implied in the modern and post in the modern and post moden thought.moden thought.

Secular RationalismSecular Rationalism

The world seen from this The world seen from this perspective is perspective is

(i) an independent, eternal (i) an independent, eternal universe; universe;

(ii) a self-subsistent system (ii) a self-subsistent system evolving according to its laws.evolving according to its laws.

1. Pessimistic Existentialism—1. Pessimistic Existentialism—• This belief system asserts This belief system asserts

that man is a useless that man is a useless passionate creature with no passionate creature with no intrinsic meaning or intrinsic meaning or purpose in life. Feelings, purpose in life. Feelings, instead of truth become the instead of truth become the new standard for evaluating new standard for evaluating human significance. human significance.

• The most important The most important question is not, "What do question is not, "What do you think?" but, "How do you think?" but, "How do you feel?" The problem is you feel?" The problem is that how we feel may have that how we feel may have no correspondence to what no correspondence to what is true.is true.

3.3. Pragmatic UtilitarianismPragmatic Utilitarianism

• Instead of asking, "Is it true? Instead of asking, "Is it true? "pragmatism asks, "Does it "pragmatism asks, "Does it work?" work?"

• This is a results-oriented point This is a results-oriented point of view, which says that the of view, which says that the ends justify the means. Its ends justify the means. Its motto: "Where there is a will, motto: "Where there is a will, there is a way."there is a way."

4. Logical Positivism4. Logical Positivism• Logical Positivism, or empiricism, is the belief that Logical Positivism, or empiricism, is the belief that

reality is limited only to what can be measured by reality is limited only to what can be measured by the empirical senses—eyes, ears, nose, tongue the empirical senses—eyes, ears, nose, tongue and fingers. It involves the application of rationality and fingers. It involves the application of rationality and empiricism through science and technology. and empiricism through science and technology.

• Any truth that can’t be observed or experienced, Any truth that can’t be observed or experienced, such as moral or spiritual truth, is relative. such as moral or spiritual truth, is relative.

• The "scientist," would be the "high priest" in this The "scientist," would be the "high priest" in this modern movement. Motto: "The cosmos is all there modern movement. Motto: "The cosmos is all there is or ever will be."is or ever will be."

Validity and Reliability of DataValidity and Reliability of Data

Must be based on somethingMust be based on something - observable by senses- observable by senses - quantifiable by senses- quantifiable by senses - measurable by senses- measurable by senses - definable by senses- definable by senses

Validity and Reliability of Data Validity and Reliability of Data according to Modern Thoughtaccording to Modern Thought

Based on Based on

(i) sensory observations, and(i) sensory observations, and

(ii) logical inferences(ii) logical inferences

5. Pagan Hedonism5. Pagan Hedonism• The motto of hedonism is: "You only go The motto of hedonism is: "You only go

around once in life so you’ve got to grab for around once in life so you’ve got to grab for all the gusto that you can get." all the gusto that you can get."

• Instead of focusing on truth and falsehood, or Instead of focusing on truth and falsehood, or good and evil, the hedonist focuses on good and evil, the hedonist focuses on pleasure and pain. In simple terms, the pleasure and pain. In simple terms, the hedonist makes the pursuit of pleasure and hedonist makes the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain paramount to all other the avoidance of pain paramount to all other pursuits in life. pursuits in life.

7. Secular Humanism 7. Secular Humanism

• Secular Humanism is a worldview that Secular Humanism is a worldview that is man-centered rather than God-is man-centered rather than God-centered. centered.

• In its simplest form it views man "as the In its simplest form it views man "as the measure of all things." Man, not God, is measure of all things." Man, not God, is the standard by which all norms and the standard by which all norms and values are ultimately determined–all values are ultimately determined–all reality and life is centered on man. reality and life is centered on man.

Islamic view:Islamic view:

The fountain head (the Ultimate The fountain head (the Ultimate source) of knowledge is the source) of knowledge is the Sacred Sacred (al-Muqaddas)(al-Muqaddas)

and Divine and Divine (Ilahi)(Ilahi)

• Allah is Allah is al-aHaqqal-aHaqq (Truth), and that He is (Truth), and that He is one. This implies that all contention, all one. This implies that all contention, all doubt, is referable to Him.doubt, is referable to Him.

• Hence, truth is indeed knowable, Hence, truth is indeed knowable, because man is capable of because man is capable of understanding it.understanding it.

Status of Human BeingStatus of Human Being رض األ في اعل ج إني ة ئك ال للم بك ر ال ق إذ رض و األ في اعل ج إني ة ئك ال للم بك ر ال ق إذ و

ا فيه يفسد ن م ا فيه ت جع ل أ قالوا ة ليف ا خ فيه يفسد ن م ا فيه ت جع ل أ قالوا ة ليف خ ل ك دس نق و مدك بح بح نس ن حن و اء الدم ي سفك ل ك و دس نق و مدك بح بح نس ن حن و اء الدم ي سفك و

ت عل مون ال ا م عل م أ إني ال ت عل مون ق ال ا م عل م أ إني ال ]] ق 3030البقرة: البقرة: ].].• Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create

a vicegerent on earth." They said: "Wilt Thou a vicegerent on earth." They said: "Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood? Whilst we do celebrate Thy and shed blood? Whilst we do celebrate Thy praise and glorify Thy holy (name)?" He said: "I praise and glorify Thy holy (name)?" He said: "I know what ye know not“ [al Baqarah:30]know what ye know not“ [al Baqarah:30]

Human Being and KnowledgeHuman Being and Knowledge

هم ض ا ثم ع ر اء كGله سم هم و ع لم آد م األ ض ا ثم ع ر اء كGله سم و ع لم آد م األاء سم نبئوني بأ ال أ ق ة ف ئك اء ع ل ى الم ال سم نبئوني بأ ال أ ق ة ف ئك ع ل ى الم ال ادقين ء إن كنتم ص ؤال ادقين ه ء إن كنتم ص ؤال ه

• [[ 3131البقرة: البقرة: ].]. “ “And He taught Adam the names of all And He taught Adam the names of all

things; then He placed them before the things; then He placed them before the angels, and said: "Tell Me the names of angels, and said: "Tell Me the names of these if ye are right“ [al Baqarah:31] these if ye are right“ [al Baqarah:31]

Human Being & KnowledgeHuman Being & Knowledge The Qur’an states that at the dawn of creation Allah The Qur’an states that at the dawn of creation Allah

taught Adam the names of things (al-Baqarah: 31)taught Adam the names of things (al-Baqarah: 31) Adam= a symbol of mankindAdam= a symbol of mankind Names of things signify the elements of Names of things signify the elements of

knowledge.knowledge. Bowing= a symbol, acknowledging superiority Bowing= a symbol, acknowledging superiority

(due to knowledge)(due to knowledge) It is knowledge that distinguish man from angel It is knowledge that distinguish man from angel

and from rest of creation.and from rest of creation.

• God is the Creator of nature from God is the Creator of nature from whence man derives his knowledge.whence man derives his knowledge.

• The object of knowledge is the patterns The object of knowledge is the patterns of nature which is the work of God. He of nature which is the work of God. He gives man of his knowledge; and His gives man of his knowledge; and His knowledge is absolute and universal.knowledge is absolute and universal.

HonorabilityHonorability• :: ر لن اهم في الب م من ا ب ني آد م و ح د ك ر ل ق لن اهم في الب ر و م من ا ب ني آد م و ح د ك ر ل ق ولن اهم قن اهم من الطيب ات و ف ض ز ر الب حر و لن اهم و قن اهم من الطيب ات و ف ض ز الب حر و ر ول قن ا ت فضيال ن خ ل قن ا ت فضيالع ل ى ك ثير مم ن خ ]] ع ل ى ك ثير مم 7070اإلسراء: اإلسراء: ].].

• We have honored the sons of Adam; provided We have honored the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favors, above a great conferred on them special favors, above a great part of Our Creation” [al Isra’:70]. part of Our Creation” [al Isra’:70].

• ليعبدون اال واإلنس الجن خلقت ما ليعبدون و اال واإلنس الجن خلقت ما و• ))al- Dhariyat: 56)al- Dhariyat: 56)• (And I (Allah) have not created jinn and (And I (Allah) have not created jinn and

humans but to serve Me)humans but to serve Me)• Thus, indeed, the knowledge that Thus, indeed, the knowledge that

fulfilled his/her (human being) vocation fulfilled his/her (human being) vocation (as an (as an ‘abd‘abd and and khalifah)khalifah) is the only is the only condition for his/her salvation. condition for his/her salvation.

Perfect design:Perfect design:

• ن ان في أ حس ل قن ا اإلنس د خ ن ل ق ان في أ حس ل قن ا اإلنس د خ ل قممت قويت قوي

[[ 44التين: التين: ]] We have indeed created man in the best We have indeed created man in the best

of moulds” [al Tin:4]. of moulds” [al Tin:4].

Iqra’Iqra’• ““Read! In the name of Read! In the name of

thy Lord and thy Lord and Cherisher, Who Cherisher, Who created, Read! and thy created, Read! and thy Lord is Most Lord is Most Bountiful, He Who Bountiful, He Who taught (by the use of) taught (by the use of) the pen, Taught man the pen, Taught man that which he knew that which he knew not. [al ‘Alaq: 1-5]not. [al ‘Alaq: 1-5]

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Source and Scope of KnowledgeSource and Scope of Knowledge

• Empirical knowledge:Empirical knowledge:

• ““Have We not created for men their eyes, Have We not created for men their eyes, their tongues and lips? Have We not their tongues and lips? Have We not granted them their senses of orientation ? granted them their senses of orientation ? (al-Balad [8]: 10 )(al-Balad [8]: 10 )

• Allah has indeed made all that is in heaven Allah has indeed made all that is in heaven and earth subservient to humankind (al-and earth subservient to humankind (al-Jathiyah [45]: 13)Jathiyah [45]: 13)

Useful and useless knowledge.Useful and useless knowledge.• Muslim philosophers have distinguished Muslim philosophers have distinguished

between useful and useless knowledge.between useful and useless knowledge.

• Among the useful they have included Among the useful they have included sciences (pure and applied sciences) such sciences (pure and applied sciences) such as physics, medicine, chemistry, as physics, medicine, chemistry, geography, logic, etc. along with the geography, logic, etc. along with the descipline dealing with religious descipline dealing with religious knowledgeknowledge

• Magic, numerology are counted among the Magic, numerology are counted among the useless branches of knowledge. useless branches of knowledge.

Empirical ToolsEmpirical Tools ال اتكم ه أم بطون من كم ج أ خر الله ال و اتكم ه أم بطون من كم ج أ خر الله و

ار بص األ و مع الس ل كم ع ل و ج يئا ش ار ت عل مون بص األ و مع الس ل كم ع ل و ج يئا ش ت عل مون ت شكرون ل ع لكم فئد ة األ ت شكرون و ل ع لكم فئد ة األ ]] و

• 7878النحل: النحل: ]]

• ““It is He Who brought you forth from the It is He Who brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers when ye knew wombs of your mothers when ye knew nothing; and He gave you hearing and nothing; and He gave you hearing and sight and intelligence and affection: that sight and intelligence and affection: that ye may give thanks (to Allah)” [al Nahl: ye may give thanks (to Allah)” [al Nahl: 78].78].

Transcendental, Trans-empirical Knowledge

• The knowledge of the nature of Allah • The destiny of the human soul• The creation of the universe• The life in hereafter, and other

problem of transcendental.

Empirical Transcendental Empirical Transcendental knowledgeknowledgeThose are questions relating to (i) the nature of God (ii) the destiny of human soul and (iv) the life hereafter are not ‘problem’

they are ‘mysteries’ incapable of being solved through the technique of inductive or deductive knowledge reasoning… (Gabriel Marcel (1889-1973)

Concluding remarksConcluding remarks• The sense of Sacred does not preclude The sense of Sacred does not preclude

the study of empirical knowledge or so the study of empirical knowledge or so called worldly sciences – theoretical and called worldly sciences – theoretical and practical.practical.

• It is incumbent upon believers to acquire It is incumbent upon believers to acquire knowledge of every type. However, since knowledge of every type. However, since almost all modern knowledge are devoid almost all modern knowledge are devoid of any sense of sacred, we have to be of any sense of sacred, we have to be selective, creative and innovative.selective, creative and innovative.

The Qur’anic stresses the middle path as the overriding principle for appropriate conduct and way of life of the entire populace.

It applies to the conduct and way of life at individual, family, and community levels.

The middle path also implies a balance development that paves the way for the emergence of economic growth and social well-being.

As such the the Qur’an emphases towards a balanced development strategy that would reduce the vulnerability of the ummah and nation as a whole to shocks and excesses that may arise as a result of false knowledge;