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(UNGS 2040)

STANDARD CONTENTS Department of General Studies, 2008

ISLAM: KNOWLEDGE AND

CIVILIZATION

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Definition of Knowledge

2

Al-ilm () /Knowledge

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Al-ilm ()

3

y The arrival (Husul : ) in the soul of the meaning ofa thing or an object of knowledge and the arrival(wusul: )of the soul at the meaning of a thing orobject of knowledge

y

y (al-Jurjani:160-161)

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.cont.,

4

yRealization of the meanings ofthings (Al-Ghazzali)

y

Realization of someth

ing in itstrue nature through different levelsof understanding and in agreement

with

th

e facts or true to nature.(textbook, 4)

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cont.,

5

yTo know, to understand, toperceive, to be familiar andacquainted with things.

y A firm belief that accords with thereality of things ( )(47:19).

- Theology (), Principles ofJurisprudence( ) etc.

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Opposite of

6

: ConjectureyUncertaintyyNot supported with decisive proofsyIt might accord with the reality and itmight not

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y :doubty :ignorancey : foolishnessy: misguidance

.cont.,

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Degrees of Certainty

8

:knowledgeCertainty, conviction ( / )

Accords with the reality Certainty by observation certainty through knowledge Certainty through experience

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Importance of Knowledge

9

y 1. Knowledge is a requirement for the fulfillment of mans

obligations as a khalifah on earth. Allah says:

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10

y

)30( )31(

)32(

)33(

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11

2.The first revelation to theMessenger of Allah is about

seeking knowledge and revealingscientific knowledge: * *

* * ):1-5(

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Cont.,

12

Read! In the name of the Lord andCherisher, who created- createdman, out of a mere clot of

congealed blood.Proclaim! Andyour Lord is most Bountiful- Hewho taught the use of the pen,taught man that whichhe knew not

(96:1-5)[read, teach, pen]

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cont.,

13

3. Islam is a religion based upon knowledge.4.The text of the Quran is full of verses inviting

man to use his intellect, to ponder, to think

and to learn.5.The total number of verses in whichilm or itsderivatives and associated words are used is704.

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14

6.The main miracle and sign of authenticity ofprophethood of Mohammed ( )

was a book of knowledge;Th

e Quran.

cont.,

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cont.,

15

7.The Prophet ( ) madeseeking knowledge obligatory on

Muslims (men and women):

Seeking knowledge is obligatory

on every Muslim.

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cont.,

16

8. Knowledge is the way through which peoplecan recognize Allah, fearhim, and discover thetruth.

):162(

But those among them who are well-grounded

in knowledge, and th

e believers, believe inwhat has been revealed to you and what wasrevealed before you

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17

):6(

And those who are knowledgeable seethat the revelation sent down to youfrom the Lord is the Truth, and that itguides to the Path of Allah who is

Exalted and Worthy of all praise.

cont.,

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18

9. Knowledge elevates the status andposition of its bearer and makesdifference between him and

ignorant. ):11(

Allah will raise up, to high ranksthose of you who believe and whohave been granted Knowledge

cont.,

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19

:)15(

We gave knowledge to David andSolomon: and they both said: "Praisebe to Allah, Who has favoured us

above many of His subjects wh

obelieve!"

cont.,

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20

)10(

)11()(

We bestowed grace on David and Wemade the iron soft forhim. Make coats ofmail, balance well the rings of chain armour,and work righteousness; for be sure I see all

that you do."

cont.,

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21

):9(

Say: are those equal, those

who know and those who donot know?

cont.,

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Purpose of knowledge

Divinely Worldly

To recognize God To benefit man

Pleasure of God

22

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Classification of Knowledge

WeekTwo

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24

y (a) Absolute (perfect) knowledge:y this is the knowledge of God who knows the

reality, essence and details of all things.y (b) Limited knowledge:y The knowledge given to His creations;

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25

yangels,yprophets,yhuman beings,yjinn,yand animals.

cont.,

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..cont.,

26

Limited knowledge:

y (i) Gifted knowledge:

a. Instinctive knowledge (natural): itis imparted in the very nature ofthe creation.

b.Revealed/Sacred knowledge: theknowledge that Almighty Godreveals to human beings.

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27

(ii) Acquired Knowledgey Gained through effort by way of reflection,

senses and experience.y (a)Recommended (praiseworthy)

i-Fardayn ii.Fard kifayah

y (b)Prohibited (blameworthy)-Magic (kindly refer to slides 46-48)

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28

General Classification of

Knowledge in Islam

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29

General classification of

Knowledge in Islam

Limited Knowledge

Acquired KnowledgeGifted Knowledge

Absolute Knowledge

Instinct (ilham)Sacred Praiseworthy Blame worthy

By external

influence By itself

Fard AinFard Kifayah

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30

Al-Ghazzalis Criteria forClassification of sciences :1.Theoretical and practical

2.Presential and acquired3.Religious and intellectual4. Individual obligatory and

communal obligatory

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Classification of Knowledge

According to al-Ghazali

Theoretical Practical

31

Intellectual

Fard kifayah(CollectiveObligatory Knowledge)

AttainedPresential

Religious

Fard ayn (Personal

Obligatory Knowledge)

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Al-Ghazzalis Criteria for Classification of sciences

32

1. Theoretical and practical (philosophers)

Theoretical: to know the states of beings as they are( to

realize/ compreh

end th

e reality of beings; celestial &terrestrial)

Practical: deals with mans actions To find out what isuseful to mankind in this life as well as in the

Hereafter

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.Cont.,

33

2. Presential & acquired (tasawwuf) (the mode ofknowing)

Presential : intuitive, contemplativespiritual experience - revelation

Acquired : empirical, rational, logical

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.Cont.,

34

Which one is better?Al-Ghazzali:y the presential is superior to the acquired, It is

free from errors & doubt, certainty on spiritualtruths

y This is true with the revelation and intuitionreceived by the prophets

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35

yThe intuitive knowledgeclaimed by people other than

prophets may not be taken forgranted unless it is judged inlight of the established

principles of Islam

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.Cont.,

36

3.Religious and intellectual (the source)Religious (transmitted sciences):Acquired from revelation/ prophets

1.Roots (Quran, sunnah

, consensus)2. Branches (law and ethics)3. Ancillary sciences (grammar andlexicography)

4. Complementary sciences (Qiraat,commentary,history)Intellectual: attained by human intellect alone

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.Cont.,

37

4. Fard Ayn and Fard kifayah(the need for learning)Fard ayn:

yWhat should be learned by eachand every Muslim.yIndividual responsibilitiesy

Things which cant be done onbehalf of others

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yBeliefs, worship,halal andharam, core moral values,how todischarge ones responsibilitiestowards others (mansobligations to family andsociety), necessary skills fordaily life.

.Cont.,

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.Cont.,

39

Fard kifayah :- the communitys needs that can be performed

by a sufficient group on behalf of others.

- collective responsibilitiesy Religious sciences: knowledge that is not

needed for daily practice of Islam.y Intellectual knowledge: all types of

knowledge needed for the welfare of thesociety in this life

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.Cont

40

Praiseworthy sciences:yEnhances human well being and

the environment within the

boundaries outlined by shariahyAll sciences which are useful,beneficial and satisfy the

requirements of science.

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41

Blameworth

y sciences:yA science which does not meet therequirement of science, or it is

purely or usuallyh

armful.yBlameworthy by its nature by an

external factor

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.Cont

42

Magic:It is defined as seeking the help of demons to

perform something harmful against somebody or

showing something to an audience, which iscontrary to reality.

y Reasons why magic is prohibited in Islam:

y 1) It is an act of blasphemy (kufr). Allah says in the

Holy Quran:

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43

y And when there came to them a Messenger from Allahconfirming what was with them, a party of those who were

given the scripture threw away the book of Allah behind theirbacks as if they did not know. And they followed what thedevils gave out falsely of magic of the reign of Solomon; forSolomon did not disbelieve but the devils disbelieved,teaching men magic and such things that came down at

Babylon to the two angels Harut and Marut, but neither ofthese two (angles) taught anyone (such

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44

things) until they had said: we are only for trial, so don't

disbelieve. And from them (magicians) people learn that through

which they would cause separation between a person and hisspouse, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's

leave; and they learn that which harms them rather than profits

them. And indeed they knew that its practitioner would have no

share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which

they sold their own selves if they but knew. (2:101-102).

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45

y 2) According to the following authentic hadith, magic is a

deadly act:

y The Prophet (s.a.w) said: Avoid the seven deadly acts

which are: ascribing partners toG

od, magic, killing thehuman self which Allah prohibited except with right,

eating usury (riba), devouring the orphans wealth,

defecting from the battle-field (without a justified

reason) and slandering chaste, unwary believing women.

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46

y Magic being harmful and evil act, Allah has told us to

seek His protection against it:

y Say I seek refuge in the in the Lord of daybreak From

the evil of that which he created; From the evil of thedarkness when it is intense, and from the evil of

malignant witchcraft, And from the evil of the envious

when he envies. (Surah al-Falaq)

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Differences between magic and

miracles (mujizat)

47

y Magic is from devils (see the above Quranic verse:

2:101-102)while miracles are from Allah.

y On the other hand, miracles are real while magic is

deceptive; it is covering the truth with falsehood).y Because miracles are from Allah, they could only be

performed by Prophets while magic, which is from

devils, can be performed by anyone who associates

himself with the devil.

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48

y Horoscope

y Not only magic is prohibited in Islam but also horoscope

or reading ones palm to foretell the future.

yThe Holy Quran affirms that no one knows the futureor the unseen except Allah: He knoweth the Unseen as

well as that which is Open. (6:73) With Him are the

keys of the Unseen, the treasures that none knoweth but

He... (6:59)

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49

y The Holy Quran also asserts that not even Muhammad

knows the unseen:

y If I had the knowledge of the unseen, I should have secured

abundance for myself, and no evil would have touched me.

(7:188).

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50

y The Prophet (s.a.w) said: Whoever goes to a fortune teller

(a soothe sayer) or a diviner and believes him, has, in fact,

disbelieved in what has been revealed to Muhammad.

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.Cont..

51

Example: HoroscopeCapricorn: (Dec 23 - Jan 20)

Todays stars encourage you to be morediplomatic and inclusive in your relations with

oth

ersAquarius: (Jan 21 Feb 19)On the Zodiacs Day of Metamorphosis, youneed to transform ideals into reality, and turndreams into concrete plans. If you work patientlytowards your goals, you can achieve the long-term success you are looking for.

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Cont.,

52

Astrology:y It is the study of the positions and aspects of celestial

bodies.

y Muslims scholars agree that astrology is a prohibited

field to deal with. For example, Imam Ibn Taymiyahsaid: Astrology that is concerned with studying thepositions and aspects of celestial bodies in the beliefthat they have an influence on the course of naturalearthly occurrences and human affairs is prohibited by

Almighty Allahs Book, the Sunnah, and theunanimous agreement of the Muslim scholars.

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y Ibn `Uthaymeen, said: Astrology is a kind of sorcery and

fortune-telling. It is forbidden because it is based on illusions,

not on concrete facts. There is no relation between the

movements of celestial bodies and what takes place on the

Earth.

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y During the Prophets lifetime, it happened that the suneclipsed on the same day when the Prophets son Ibrahimdied. The people then thought that it had eclipsedbecause of the Prophets sons death. On knowing this,

the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led themin the Eclipse Prayer and then delivered them a speechsaying: The sun and moon are but signs of Allah; they donot eclipse because so-and-so died or was born.

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y The above hadith indicates that the Prophet (s.a.w) denied all

relation between the movements of the heavenly bodies and

events on the Earth.

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y Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father)reported that Allahs Messenger (s.a.w) said: He who hasacquired some knowledge of astrology has acquired someknowledge of sorcery; the more he acquires of the former

the more he acquires of the latter. (Reported by Ahmad, AbuDawud, and Ibn Majah)

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y Commenting on the above hadith, al-Shawkani said that the

Prophet (s.a.w) compared between astrology and sorcery

because sorcery was known to be forbidden; and so, he who

would get some knowledge of astrology would do something

forbidden and would be sinful.

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y To sum up, astrology is based on lies and deceit; it has no

scientific basis. The astrologists usage of computers to

convince people that what they do is technological and

scientific is nothing but deceit. There is no scientific

proof that there is a relationship between the appearance

of a star in a specific time and the character and behavior

of someone born at that time.

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Conclusion

59

y Sciences are inter-related, and none of themcan exclude the others.

y Humanities, natural sciences, and the religioussciences unite to produce true understanding

of this world and the causes behind itsexistence.y Religious scholars are in need of philosophical

and natural sciences as much as scientists are

in need of th

e religious sciences.

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y

Natural and philosophical sciences are toenable the Muslim to explore, exploit andget a better insight into what Allahhascreated in this universe.

y Religious sciences are to guide people tounderstand the reality of this life, theirorigins and their mission.

y And to set the moral and legal guidelines

that should be observed by human beings fora meaningful and better life.

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Sources and Means ofKnowledge

WeekThree

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1.Revelation (:

)2.Reason ()3. Nature/ physical world ( )

4.Five Senses ( )5. Intuition ()

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The Quran as a Source of Knowledge

63

y An introduction to the the Qurany Definitiony Quran is the Book revealed from Allah to His

Messenger Muhammad (saw) as written in masahif

and transmitted to us from him through an authenticcontinuous narration

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Definition analysis:

- Quran is the pure speech of Allah (al-Nisa:42)- Only the Allahs speech revealed to Muhammad- It is an exposition of all things (tibyan li kulli

shay)- As guidance and mercy- Nothing is neglected (al-Nahl:89)

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The Quran is the Arabic words as well as their

meanings (translation is not a Quran) Transmitted to us by way of[tawatur]

(continuous narration by a large number of peoplein each part of the chain of narration)

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Revelation & Recording of the Quran

a) Revelation of the Qurany The Quran was transmitted directly from

Allah (swt) to the Messenger of Allahthrough Gibril (not a mere inspiration)

y The Quran was not revealed to theMessenger of Allah all at once.

y It was revealed to him in stages and

sometimes in accordance with incidents facedby Muslim community.

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The wisdom behind revealing it by stages

1. To allow people to memorize, understand andimplement it gradually.

):106(

It is a Quran which we have divided into partsfrom time to time in order that you might recite itto men at intervals(17: 106)

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2.T

o strength

en th

eh

eart of th

e Messenger of Allah

(saw), give him courage and moral support toovercome the difficulties and challenges he wasfacing. Allah said:

):32(

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Those who reject faith say: "Why is not the

Quran revealed to him all at once? It is revealedin stages so that We may strengthen your heartthereby, and We have rehearsed it to you in slow,well-arranged stages, gradually. (25: 32)

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3. Live interaction between the divine text and the

socio-political reality and daily practice of thepeople.Some verses came to deal with:

y some situations faced by the Messenger of Allah;y solve problems faced by Muslim community;y respond to the challenges put by disbelievers;y correct the mistakes committed by the Muslim

community, etc.

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y Those incidents, cases, and questions are called

occasions for revelation ) ( and theyhelp those who came later in a betterunderstanding and implementation of thoseverses.

y The period of revelation lasted for around 23years.

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The Recording of the QuranyThe Messenger of Allah used to

memorize the verses revealed tohim then recite them forhis

companions who used to memorizethem

yThere were scribes who used to

record the verses after theirrevelation

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yThe original copies of the writtenrecords were preserved in thehouse of the Messenger of Allah.

yWhile some other scribes wouldrecord the verses for themselvesand preserve them for their ownuse.

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y The order of the verses within each surah aswell as the order of the surahs was directed by

Jibril.

y During each month ofRamadan Jibril used torecite what was revealed in its order with theMessenger of Allah.

y During the time of Abu Bakr the Quran wascompiled in a single official copy.y The suggestion came after the battle of Yamamah.

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The Quran and the other Revealed Books

Universality:y The previous Books were local for

specific people.y Quran as the last revealed Book

and a universal message for allmankind needs to be comprehensive

and eternally preserved.

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):48(To you we sent the Scripture in truth, confirmingthe scripture that came before it, and a watcher

over it. So, judge between th

em by wh

at Allah

has revealed

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2.Th

e way of preservationyThe people of each Book wereentrusted with guarding it against any

distortion or manipulation

...):44(

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It was We who revealed the Torah; therein wasguidance and light. By its standard have beenjudged the Jews, by the prophets who bowed toAllah's will, by the rabbis and the priests; for to

them was entrusted the protection of Allah'sBook, and they were witnesses thereto (5:44)

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y If they fail to do so, Allah sends another prophet to

take people back to the right way.y Since Muhammad (saw) was the last Messenger,

Allah (swt) assumed the responsibility of guardingand preserving His last Book.

):9(y We have, without doubt, sent down the Message;

and We will assuredly guard it against anymanipulation or change.

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Preservation of the Quran

The way Quran was preserved:y The Quran was made public from the very

beginning.y The Quran was fully recorded from the time it

was revealed.y The Quran was preserved in the original form

(same language, same words).y

The assurance from God that the Quran willbe preserved till the Day of Judgment.

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):41-42(

And indeed it is a Book of exaltedpower. Falsehood cannot come at itfrom before it or from behind it. (Itis) a revelation from the Wise, theOwner ofPraise.

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y

No one can alter or ch

ange any part of th

eQuran even the Messenger of Allah himself. )43( )44( )45( )46(

):47.(

This is a Message sent down from the Lord of theworlds. And if the Messenger were to invent anysayings in our name, we should certainly seize himby his right hand, and we should certainly then cutoff the artery of his heart: Nor could any of you

protect him from that.

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):52(

For We had certainly sent unto

th

em a Book, based on knowledge,which We explained in detail, aguide and a mercy to all who

believe.

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2. Spiritual/ social healer

):57(O mankind! there has come to you a direction fromyour Lord and a healing for the (diseases) in yourh

earts, and for th

ose wh

o believe, a Guidance and aMercy.

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3- Light

):157(

So it is those who believe in him

(the Messenger), honour him, helphim, and follow the Light which issent down with him, it is they who

will prosper.

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"):8(

Believe, therefore, in Allah andHis Messenger, and in the Lightwhich We have sent down. AndAllah is well acquainted with all

th

at you do.

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4- Preacher for believers ) :138(

Here is a plain statement to men,

a guidance and instruction tothose who fear Allah!

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5-R

evealing reality and clarifyingdoubts ):1(

T

a. Sin.Th

ese are verses of th

eQuran, a Book that makes thingsclear and showing its reality.

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90

):15(

O People of the Book! there has come to you OurMessenger, revealing to you much that you used to

hide in the Book, and passing over much (that isnow unnecessary): There has come to you fromAllah a (new) light and a perspicuous Book.

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6- MiraculousyThe Quran is the main miracle of

the Messenger of Allah and the main

proof of the authenticity ofhisprophethood.yThe miracles contained in it are the

proof of its authenticity as the realBook of Allah

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yIts miracle is in terms of:i. Structureii. Meaning (the knowledgecontained in it:historicalevents, prediction of what

willh

appen in th

e future, andscientific facts.

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Challenging the Unbelieversy The miracle is manifested in a challenge to all

mankind to produce:a. An other book similar to it:

)33(

)34(.Or they say: He has invented it? Nay, but they donot believe! Then let them produce a speech likeit, if they are truthful.

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b. Ten chapters similar to those of the Quran

)13().(Or they say: He has invented it! Say:Then bringtensurahs, the like thereof, invented, and call on

everyone you can beside Allah, if you aretruthful!

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Types of Knowledge in the Quran

The Universal Booky Islam is the last and universal religion;y Human societies are always open for evolution

and development.y The Quran should: Meet the needs of all

human beings in different places and differenttimes.

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To be able to do so, it should:y Give clear and detailed discourse on what is

important forhuman life and cant be knownthroughhuman reasoning only (beliefs and

ibadat)y Set the core values and principles which guide

human life to the right way, and safeguard itagainst any corruption or deviation from sucha way.

y Be flexible to accommodate the evolution anddevelopment ofhuman life and societies.

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y Regarding human lifes aspects which are subject

to change and development, the Quran ,generally, sets norms, standards and universalvalues which suit all peoples and all times.

y These values and norms should not be subject to

any alteration or change to ensure the prevalenceof righteousness and justice (immutable valuesand norms).

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99

yIn light of these norms, peopleare given freedom to innovateand adopt whatever systems,

procedures, etc th

ey mayconsider as good for them aslong as they dont breach those

norms and values.

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100

Physical and Natural Sciencesy The Quran deals with those things which are

needed to be known and may not be realized byman or may not be understood accurately (manwould speculate about then only)Such as:

- The origin of mankind, the substance and theway ofhis first creation,his first acquisition ofthe basic knowledge.

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101

- The origin of the earth and the heavensy In other fields such as:

- astronomy- Geology,

- Physics,- Embryologyy The Quran just gives some references for the

following purposes:

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102

The aims of scientific references in the Qurany It is not to give people details and teach them

natural and physical sciences.y They are signs to prove:

- The existence of God

- The omnipotence and power of God- The weakness of men compared to

the power of the Creator

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- Indebtedness of mankind to Allahfor all what we have in life.

- The authenticity ofProphets and

revealed Books i.e. this Qurancomes from Allah and it isimpossible for a human being,especially at the time of Muhammad( ). to compose it.

Cont.,

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104

y

For the Muslim who reads andunderstands these references, theyserve to strengthen his orher faith.

) :191.(

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105

Th

ose wh

o remember and praise Allah

, standing,sitting, and lying down on their sides, andcontemplate the wonders of creation in theheavens and the earth, (with the thought): "OurLord! not for naught has you created all this!Glory to you! Give us salvation from the Penaltyof the Fire. (3:191)

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y

For the non-Muslim whoquestions the authenticity orauthorship of the Quran , these

references provide someinteresting answers.

):53(

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108

How should we deal with these scientificfacts?

y They should be used for the aforesaid things.y They can be used to grasp a better understanding

of those verses dealing with natural phenomenacompared to the way they were understood byearly Muslims.

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109

y We should not over-emphasize the scientific

miracles to the extant that we hurry to relate eachnew scientific theory to the verses of the Quran .

y Such an act may lead to misinterpreting the textsof the Quran and changing the interpretation

from time to time.This may becounterproductive and cause some confusionespecially among non-Muslims.

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b) Religious, human and social sciences

Belief: (Revelation is the only source)The Concept of Gody The existence of God; the Creator and Lord

of this universe.y The concept oftawhid(Unity of God)

Since the concept of God was not new tomankind, the Quran focuses on correcting

the prevalent concepts of God andemonstrating the Unity of God,hisomnipotence and knowledge, etc.

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The Concept of Prophethoody

God used to send a prophet to every peopley A briefhistory of prophets (some names

mentioned)Revelationy Some revealed books: Suhuf/ Ibrahim, Zabur/Dawud,Torah/Musa, Injil/ Gospel/ EsaAngelsy Their nature, character, position and relation

with God (not his sons or daughters)

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112

Day of Judgmenty

Its existence, what will happen on that day,Jannah,Jahannamy No specific date is given for its happeningIbadat(worship)y Revelation the only source.y The Quran sets the basics of ibadat and the

Prophet gives details

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Moralityy

Revelation the main sourcey The Quran sets universal ethical norms and

valuesy Obedience and submission to God, justice,

benevolence, kindness, generosity,brotherhood,honesty, truthfulness, sincerity,trust (amanah), forbearance, patience,tolerance and forgiveness,inviting/encouraging people to good,preventing/ changing evil (munkar)

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Human and social relationsy Revelation is the main sourcey The Quran deals with the main principles of

these relations:y Relationship among family members

- between husbands and wives- between parents and children- marriage, divorce, inheritance

y Relations with relatives

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y Relations with neighboursy Social relations and interactiony Relations between gendersy Etiquettes and mannersy

Relations with

non-Muslimsy Relations with animals

Halal & haram:(Revelation is the only source)Food, drinks, clothes

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Law:- Family law- Criminal law- Procedural law

- Commercial law- International law

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117

Economic system

y (Revelation provides guidance toattain and maintain justice)y Islam sets some norms and

principles along with

somerestrictions to ensure theobservance of those norms and

principles (prohibition ofriba,uncertain contracts, etc.)

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118

yZakatis imposed to secure theminimum economic and socialjustice,

y Rich people are exhorted to spendand promised to be rewarded forthat.

y Social welfare (59: 7)

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119

Political systemyThe Quran sets norms andprinciplesy

The establishment of agovernment/ central authorityand the duties of subjects to

obey its commands

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yThe governance should be based onconsultation ()and the right ofpeople to select their leaders.

yThe format of )( and governmentare left for the choice of people andare open for development.

Hi t d Ci ili ti

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121

History and Civilizationy The origin of this universe

The Quran states that this universe wascreated by Allah, and gives short descriptionof that creation

y The origin of mankind- The Quran states that the first man (Adam)

was created by God from dust/ clay (15:26),(15:28-29), (17:61), (23:12), (32: 7), (32:9),38: 71-72)

- Eve was created for Adam (4:1), (7:189),(39:6)

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- Adam was taught the basicknowledge by God (2:30-33)- When Adam and his wife,mistakenly, disobeyed the commandsof God, they were sent down fromJannah (Paradise) to the earth wherethey and their children settled.

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yHistory ofMessengers of Allah

- The Quran gives a brief account ofthe history of the most significantMessengers.

- The Quran does not focus on thedetails of that history, instead itfocuses on the lessons that should be

learned from those events.

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- The Quran pays enough attention to

civilizational studies by examining the patternsof rise and fall of civilizations.- The Quran wants Muslims to learn from human

experience.

- The aim of this is to guide Muslims how to buildtheir civilization and guard it against socialdiseases that may lead to its fall and collapse.

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125

How should we deal with the

Quran ?y Quran is an authoritative text that should be

followed and implemented by all Muslims.y Those texts which are clear and self-

explanatory should be implemented withoutany further examination.

y Those texts which are open for interpretationand may impart more than on meaning can be

examined and construed based on thefollowing principles:

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y Grouping of similar texts/ statements whichtalk on one topic/category

y Analysis and understanding of each text/statement in its components and context

y

Identification of the rules which unify thevarious categoriesy Identification of the general rules and

purposes which govern the interaction/

interrelation of various categories.

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The Sunnah as a Source ofKnowledge

127

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y It may be a good example or a bad one, and it

may be set by an individual, a sect or acommunity.

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Wh

osoever originates in Islam any good way/precedent (good sunnah)has its reward and thereward of whoever acts upon it till the Day ofJudgment. And whosoever originates in Islama bad way/ precedent (bad sunnah) bears its

burden and the burden of whoever acts upon ittill the Day of Judgment

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yThe opposite ofsunnah is bid`ah

(innovation), which ischaracterized by lack ofprecedent and continuity with the

past.Technical meaning:a. The acts, sayings and approvals

of the Messenger of Allah.

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Kinds ofSunnah with respect to the channels of

the ahkam1. Sunnah which is intended to be binding law:

This kind includes the sayings, acts andapproval of the Prophet (saw) through whichhe intended the laying down of the law or theexplanation of the ahkam (law) laid down bythe Quran .This comprises the largest partof the sunnah.

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2- Sunnah which is specific to the Prophet(

)This kind includes those acts which arespecific to the Prophet ( ).Thenumber of these acts is very limited.One

example is the number ofhis marriages,marriage without dowry, not eating out ofcharity ().

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3

. Ordinary physical acts performed byevery human beingLike eating, drinking, walking. Such actsare not meant to lay down laws. If oneimitates the Prophet (saw) in these acts outof love forhim and with the intention toget reward,he will be rewarded for this.But the etiquettes and manners prescribedby the Messenger of Allah for the

performance of such acts are part of thewhich is meant to be binding law.

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4. Acts based on human experiencey This may include acts that pertain to his

experience as a human being, like theorganizing of the army, tactics of war,

trading skills.y These acts dont become precedents of law,

because their basis is skill and experiencerather than revelation.

y However, if they are still relevant to onessituation they might be followed.

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Status of the

Sunnahwith respect to the Quran

yThe Sunnah is the second source

just next to th

e Quran wh

ich

is th

efirst source.yThere will be no Islam without the

adoption of thesunnah.

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yThe Sunnah is basically anelaboration and commentary onthe Quran .

y

Some ahkam are found in th

eQuran in general, undetermined orunelaborated form.

y The Sunnah restricts, qualifies, or

elaborates these ahkam.

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y The Sunnah is a concrete implementation, atangible form and the actual embodiment of theQuran

y The Sunnah may lay down some rules that arenot mentioned in the Quran

y Quran says: And whatsoeverthe messengerbroughtto you, follow it.And whatsoever he

forbids, abstain fromit (al-Hashr:7)

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The knowledge we get from The Sunnah

139

y Worship ()The rulings and teachings related to

y

Halal and haram:In food, drinks, clothes, and transactions:- the Sunnah interprets what needs to be

interpreted in the Quran .

- The Sunnah may add some prohibitionswhich are not included in the Quran .

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y Law

(family, criminal, commercial, procedural,international )y Manner of conduct:

The biography of the Prophet (saw) is the modelof individual moral conduct.A noble modelyou have inAllahsApostle, forallwhose hope is inAllah, andin the finalDay,and who often rememberAllah (al-Ahzab:21)

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yTh

e model in implementing andembodying the teachings andprinciples of the QuranyThe model in the relationshipbetween humans and Allah(ibadah)

yThe model in establishing a

family and treating wives as wellas children.

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yA model in dealing with people.yA model in hard-working,patience, and perseverance etc.

Leadership:yHe was a model leader, and from

him we learn the requirements of

a successful leader.

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Dawah:

yHow he started from nothingand ended withhundreds of

thousands of followers aftertwo decades only.

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144

Nation building and social reformation:

yHow could he establish a nationand changed a quite primitivesociety dominated by tribalism andrivalries between different tribesand social classes to a civilized andstrong state characterized by unity,cooperation, and brotherhood.

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y Eliminating idolatry and establishing Tawhidy Eliminating bad social values in dealing with the

weak social classes: women, slaves, poorpeople, black people, etc.

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Reason ()

as a Sources ofKnowledge

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Reason as a Source of Knowledgey The term reason is used in different senses

and meanings:1. The power of being able to think in a logical

and rational manner , as distinct from

experience or emotions.2. Ability to think clearly and coherently3. The ability or process of drawing logical

inferences.

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Meanings/ Functions ofReason:1. Reason is sometimes used to denote a numberof self-evident principles (such as the

principle of non-contradiction) which governthe process of thinking of mentally competentpeople, regardless of their cultural

background.- These fundamental truths are intuitivelyapprehended- as opposed to sensation,perception, feeling,

desire (th

e existence of wh

ich

is denied byempiricists)

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y In this sense, reason is an instrument used for

examining the coherence and rationality of abody of statements.y The examination allows us to conclude that the

examined statements are:

- Eith

er coh

erent, andh

ence in conformitywith the principles of reason;- Or contradictory, and thus in violation ofreason

y Reason which gives a priori knowledge (pure

reason)

2 The capacity of rational beings to acknowledge

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2. The capacity of rational beings to acknowledgethe truth of certain assertions and deny the truthof others with the power to abstract, analyze,synthesize

y A body of knowledge which has been examined

and systemized by th

e principle of logic andconsidered by certain people as reasonable.y = Reason as an mental faculty.y Reason is to be associated with methods and

mechanisms used in science and knowledge,generally, rather than a source of knowledge.

Reason vs. Revelation

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y Reason is gift from Allah and its the most valued part

ofhuman bodyy Reason is the basis oftaklif(legal capacity) because it

is the power of discernment by whichhumans candistinguish between good and bad, right and

wrongy Reason is the basis of Iman/ faith, thus, it is given the

authority to examine the authenticity of prophets andthe revelation they claim to bring from God.

y Th Q i f ll f f hi h d

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y The Quran is full of references which command

and exh

ort people to th

ink, contemplate, and toexamine the claimed revelationy This shows that:

- Islam values reason; and

- Islam is confident that there will be nocontradiction between what is contained in therevelation and what can reasoned by human reason

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y What is claimed by unbelievers to be irrationalor unreasonable is either:

y = Mere speculation and ignorance, such aswhen they deny some beliefs or theymisunderstand them

):36(

But most of them follow nothing butconjecture and speculation: truly conjecture

and peculation can never challenge or replacetruth. Verily Allah is well aware of all that theydo. (10:36)

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= Or mere wishes and eluded hopes (hawa)

):111(

And they say: "None shall enterParadise unless he

be a Jew or a Ch

ristian."Th

ose are th

eir vaindesires. Say: "Produce your proof if you aretruthful." (2:111)

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y Interestingly, those who claim to reject

religion/ revelation based on logic andrationality are characterized by the Quran asthose who fail to use their mental faculties/reason properly.

):18(

Then We put you on the right way of religion;

so follow that way, and do not follow thedesires of those who do not know. (45:18)

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):171(

The parable of those who reject Faith is as if onewere to shout like a goat-herd, to things that listen

to nothing but calls and cries: deaf, dumb, andblind, they are void of wisdom. (2:171)

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Hawwas (senses)as Means to Knowledge

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y Senses as sources of Knowledge The Quranurges us to use the faculties of senses.

y It blames the Kuffar for not using their sensesproperly.

y The faculties of sense will bear witness for oragainst one on the Day of Judgment.

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Sound Senses (Hawwas al-Salimah)

1.Hearing2. Sight,3. Smell,4. taste,

5. touch

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Hearing (al-sam)y It is a faculty (quwa) placed in the nerves

spread out in the cavity of the earhole, bywhich sounds are perceived.

y

It is by way of connecting with

th

e earh

olethe air which whichhas assumed the qualityof the sounds, meaning that Allah thencreates perception in the soul (al-nafs)

[E.Elder,18]

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Seeing (al-basar)y It is a faculty placed in the two hollow

nerves which meet each other in the brain,thence they separate and go to the two eyes;

by th

is faculty are perceived rays of ligh

t,colours, shapes, measures, motions, thebeautiful and the ugly, and other things, theperception of which Allah creates in the soul

wh

enever th

e creature uses th

is faculty.

Smelling (al shamm

)

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Smelling (al-shamm)

It is a faculty placed in the twoprotruding lumps on the front ofthe brain, which are like the two

nipples of th

e breast; by th

isfaculty odors are perceived byway of connecting with thecartilage of the nose the air whichhas assumed the quality of theodors.

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Taste (al-zawq)It is a faculty spread out in thenerves situated on the organ of the

tounge; by th

is faculty flavors areperceived through the mixing ofthe saliva which is in the mouthwith the thing tasted, and throughits reaching to the nerves.

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Touch (al-lams)It is a faculty spread out intoall the body by whichheat and

cold, moisture and dryness,and the like are perceived atthe time of touching andcontact.

Methodology

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Definition:Method:A particular way of doing something, esp. asystematic one; implies an orderly logicalarrangement.

Methodology:1.The theoretical analysis of the methods

appropriate to a field of study or to the body of methods and principles particular to a branch ofknowledge.

Kinds of Methodologies

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Kinds ofMethodologies

i. Methodology in revealed knowledgeii. Methodology in human knowledge(pure and social sciences)

iii. Integrative methodology of revealedknowledge and human knowledge.

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What is Islamic Methodology?

Methodology means a technique or method.It is the field of inquiry concerned with the examination of methodsused in the study of natural sciences, human and social sciences andreligious sciences in order to understand the subjects.

A comprehensive Islamic methodology is means to Islamize andintegrate knowledge on the basis of the combination between therevelation and reason in order to overhaul the obstacles andchallenges facing a modern man and the society.

Methodologies used by the early Muslim

scholars

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Ijtihad(wahy, `aql and

Hawas)

Istihsan

(Juristic

Preference)

Masalih

Mursalah(public interest)

`Urf

(a particular

Custom)

Consultation

&

Consensus

Chain of

Transformation

Reliable

Narrators

Verifications

Collection of

Data

Islamic

Methodologies

Islamic Methodology

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gy

1. Collection of data of the Quran and Sunnah

2. Verified techniques used by the narrators in order to

ensure the authenticity of narrations.

3. Compilation of the Quran and Sunnah.4. Considering the reliable narrators with specific criteria.

5. Chain of transformation, no gap between two generations

and not less than 40 forty narrators.

6. Memorizations of the Quran and Sunnah

Islamic Methodology

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gy

7. Consultation among the scholars and consensus basedon majority opinions.

8. Ijtihad (rational arguments, explanation, interpretation

and adjustment with the local culture and custom)

9. Istihsan (juristic preference), supplementary methods inorder to make up for the growing number of new

situations that were difficult with the textual and the

analogical arguments.

Islamic Methodology

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g

10. Maslahah orMasalih Mursalah (public interest),supplementary methods, if the texts of the Quran and

Hadith or consensus or analogy were not available.

11. `Urf (custom of a particular society or a nation), supporting

for adjustment from avoiding the contradictions and socialdivision and disunity for the public interest.

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yMerits of the Traditional Approach

y Merits of the traditional approach were the sincerity, piety,

enthusiasm, commitment, and dedication of the early Muslim

researchers, many of whom looked for their rewards in the

Hereafter.

172

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y

Islamic research, experimentation and empirical investigationwere considered acts ofibadah.

y The God-consciousness of the traditional scholars wasreflected in their writings and research, which they wouldcommence with bismillah (in the name of Allah), seek His

blessings and conclude by dedicating their results to Him.

173

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y

The holistic nature of the traditional Islamic educationalsystem made no distinction between revealed knowledge and

empirically derived knowledge.

174

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y

Knowledge was perceived as a comprehensive whole, withempirically derived knowledge subject to the verification of

revealed knowledge.

175

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yMerits of IslamicMethodology

ySummarized

177

s

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Knowing context,Purpose and

Application of the

Texts

As Ibadah

Mastery of

Arabic

Language

Combination ofWahy & Aql Identifying the

Short-comings

Of Empirical

Knowledge.

Self-Initiative(Establishing

Institutions)

Reflection

Of

Allah

Awareness

Commitment to

People and

society

PureIntention

For

humanity

Allahs

pleasure

Merit ofIslamic

Methodologies

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Methodology in HumanKnowledge (pure and

social sciences)

S i

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ScienceyFrom Latin wordscientia means

systematic knowledge of thephysical or material world

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Knowledge ofSciencey Is acquired through experience,

observation and researchyDiscursive: preceded by

argumentsy Inductive and deductive

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2. Inductive method (istiqra)()

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. duct ve et od (istiq a )( )

y A method of discovering general rules andprinciples from particular facts and examples.

y In induction one starts from observed data anddevelops a generalization which explains the

relationships between the objects observed.

Characteristics ofScientific Method1 E thi i t ti

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1. Everything is open to questiony In our quest to understand things, we should

strive to keep an open mind about everythingwe thing we know or we want to understand.

y

What we call knowledge is transitional andsubject to refutation!! Is this possible? Can this characteristic be open?

To which extent can we hold this perception?

2

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2

. Evidence based on observationyScientific method seeks knowledgethrough observed evidence not

auth

ority, tradition or ideology.yThe evidence should be systematic,

comprehensive, and objective as

possible.

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y The observation will be on some assumed

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y The observation will be on some assumed

correlation between some aspects according tosome tentative hypothesis to prove if there is anyinterrelationships between them.

y This observation can be done in a laboratory(physics, chemistry, biology, etc.) or in a fieldwhen the parts under study spread over vast areasin time and space (astronomy, geology).

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and quadrants (an instrumentfor measuring angles,especially to check your

position at sea or to look atstars) for exact observationsof stars and planets, and evenhad invented a sphericalastrolabe.

Measures to guard against distortion:

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The person taking observations should be clear inhis mind; he should not be obsessed by anypreconceived ideas.

He should record only what is really happening

(objective). He needs patience and perseverance to ensure the

reliability ofhis observations.

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3 The chemist must have trusted friends;

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3.The chemist must have trusted friends;

4. He must have sufficient time to conductexperiments;

5.Patience and reticence (not disclosing resultshastily before testing them);

6.Perseverance;7. He must not be deceived by appearances into

bringing his operations to too hasty a conclusion.

2. Classification and analysis of data:T h d i l d

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y To arrange the data in some regular order;y To find out the characteristics of the population

from where the random sample of data was taken;y To establish the relations and correlations between

different members of the population under study or

with members of other series.

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4- Hypotheses testing:

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4 Hypotheses testing:yThe hypotheses will put into testing

through experiments in differentproduced conditions to show their

validity and applicability.

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Origination ofScientific methodology

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y Muslim scientists were the first ones to introducethis method and to emphasize the role of experimentation.

y Jabir ibn Hayyan, for example, stated clearly in hisbook on chemistry: the first essential is toperform practical work and experiments. One whodoes not do so will never attain mastery.

Among the rules of experiments

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laid down by him:1. The operator should know the

reason for performing the

experiment (hypotheses andpredictions should be set clearly);

2. The instructions must be properlyunderstood;

yImpossible and profitless

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Impossible and profitlessprocesses should be avoided(vague hypotheses which dont

lead to definite predictions, orhasty experiments which leadto vague results, are of no

value).

Example:

y h th h

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y

Until th

e 10th

century th

eGreek and Egyptiantheory of geocentric

cosmology was assumedto be true, and It was heldby early Muslim

scientists.

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y In Greeks astronomy, this was an axiom and all

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other problems of astronomy had to satisfy thistruth.

y The Muslim astronomer Ibn al-Haytham,basedon his inductive method and with help of the

equipment developed by Muslim scientists,came to a conclusion that the stars of the MilkyWay were as far off as the other fixed stars, andthat they were not situated in the atmosphere of

the earth.

yIbn al-Haytham was facing two

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y gcontradicting hypotheses: theGreeks axiom and hish

ypoth

esis.yAnd the question was: how todecide about the validity of

these two opposing hypotheses?

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3. The result was that if the stars of

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the Milky Way are in theatmosphere of the earth, then, in

both the sets of observations

suggested, their relative positionswill be different.

y If the stars of the Milky Way are as

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far as the other fixed stars, therewill be no change in the relativepositions of the two sets of stars in

eith

er cases.yObservations were taken and it wasfound that the stars of the MilkyWay did not change their relative

positions among the fixed stars.

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Draper, Conflictbetween Science and Religion

y The characteristics of their (Muslims) method

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are experiment and observation, geometricaland mathematical sciences they worked up asinstruments of reasoning.

y In their numerous writings on mechanics,

hydrostatics, optics, etc. it is interesting toremark that the solution to a problem is alwaysby performing an experimental observation.

y It was this that made them the originators of

ch

emistry;

that led them to the invention of all kinds of

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apparatus for distillation (to make a liquid pureby heating it until it becomes a gas, thencooling it and collecting the drops of liquidthat form), sublimation (conversion of a

substance from the solid to the vapour statewithout its becoming liquid), fusion (theprocess or result of joining two or more thingstogether to form one, like the fusion of copper

and zinc to produce brass), filtration (theprocess of filtering a liquid or gas), etc.;

that caused them in Astronomy to appeal to

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divided instruments such as quadrants andastrolabes, in Chemistry to employ the balance,the theory of which they were perfectlyfamiliar with, to construct tables of specificgravity and astronomical tables like those of

Baghdad and Spain, great improvements inGeometry, the invention of Algebra and theadoption of Indian numeration in Arithmetic.Such were the results of the performance of theinductive metho d their declining the reveries

(imaginations/ dreams) ofPlato.

y Francis Bacon, who is considered by the West as

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one of the founders of inductive/ scientificmethod, in his bookNovum Organum (1st quarterof the 17th century) while pleading for theintroduction of empiricism in Europe says againand again that:

great authorities follow this and consider thismethod better than the old deductive method of Greeks.

yBut he never once mentions the

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name of the great authoritiesand the wise people

yNo one applied this method

before except Muslim scientists.It is suggested that he did notmention them by name for fear

of inquisition.

Achievements of scientific method:y

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yFreed sciences from the domination of rigiddeductive method that is more suitable totheoretical and philosophical studies.

y Limited the sphere of intellectual speculations

and made a big room for empirical knowledge.

y Freed scientific research from the grip of Greek

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axioms.y Limited the sphere of metaphysical studies and

made shift to natural and physical studies.

y Successful results achieved by scientists gave

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them confidence in this scientific method andencouraged them to further their research.y This, in turn, led to expansion of the horizon of

scientific research; discovering new laws and

opening new areas.

yExperimental endeavour led to the

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transformation of science totechnology, and the invention of sophisticated machines and

equipment.

Side effects of the

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scientific methodyThe overconfidence in and

adoration of the scientific method

led to extreme rationality.yExtreme rationality led to the

adoption of scientific method in the

field ofhuman and social sciences.

Empiricism/ logical-positivism

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(from the Greek word empeiria = experience.)y Inaugurated by Francis Bacon and developed by

John Locke (1632-1704) In philosophy, theattitude that beliefs are to be accepted and acted

upon only if they first have been confirmed byactual experience.

y Stressing experience, Empiricism is opposed to the

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claims of authority, intuition, imaginativeconjecture, and abstract, theoretical, or systematicreasoning (Rationalism) as sources of reliablebelief.

y Th

e essence of empiricism is observation,measurement, and quantification of sense dataavailable to the observer.

Early empiricism vs. Revelation

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yAlthough Bacon proclaims theuniversal applicability of induction, he himself treats it

almost exclusively as a means tonatural knowledge and ignores itssocial application.

y Most divine knowledge must come from

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revelation, and reason has nothing to do with it.There is such a thing as divine philosophy(what was later called rational, or natural,theology), but its sole task and competence is

to prove th

at th

ere is a God.

y John Locke one of the fathers of empiricism did

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consider revelation, in principle, as a source of certain type of knowledge. But he assigned to it avery marginal and subordinate role.

y He argues that knowledge acquired by humanreasoning is more reliable and certain thanknowledge received through revelation.

yBecause one may doubt theh

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preservation of t e originalrevelation through the act of narration, or question the lack of means for validating or substantiating its content.

yBut one can always be certain

about wh

ath

is faculty of understanding considers true.

y He gives revelation the upperhand over reason

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in two instances:1. In questions belonging to the realm of faith,

because its inaccessible to human reasoning.2. Revelation should supercede reason in the

realm of probable knowledge which does notrise to certainty.

y (But one can always be certain about what his

faculty of understanding considers true.)

PositivismIn philosophy, generally, any system

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that confines itself to the data of experience and excludes a priori(knowledge that is independent of all

particular experiences, as opposed toa posteriori knowledge, which derivesfrom experience alone) or

metaphysical speculations.

yAs a philosophical ideology and

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movement,Positivism first assumedits distinctive features in the work ofAuguste Comte (17981857).

y

It then developed through severalstages known by various names,such as Empirio criticism, LogicalPositivism, and Logical Empiricism,etc.

The basic affirmations of Positivism are:

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1.That all knowledge regardingmatters of fact is based on thepositive data of experience;

2.That beyond the realm of fact isthat of pure logic and puremathematics, which were, in a later

phase of Positivism, classified aspurely formal sciences.

3. Strict adherence to the testimony ofh

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observation and experience is t eall-important imperative of thePositivists.

4. In its basic ideological posture,Positivism is worldly, secular, anti-theological, and anti-metaphysical.

Naturalism/ natural method

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yA theory that relates scientificmethod to philosophy by affirmingthat all beings and events in the

universe are natural.yConsequently, all knowledge of the

universe falls within the pale of

scientific investigation.

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yNaturalism presumes that nature is

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in principle completely knowable.yThere is in nature a regularity, unity,

and wholeness that implies

objective laws, without which thepursuit of scientific knowledgewould be absurd.

yNaturalism has no ontological

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preference: dualism and monism,atheism and theism, idealism andmaterialism are all per se

compatible with it.

Two positive results of bahaviourism

1

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1. Development of neurosciences.2. Development of behaviour therapy

(behaviour modification), which focused onmodifying observable behaviour, rather than

on th

e th

ough

ts and feelings of th

e patient (asin psychoanalysis).

Conclusion

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W. M. Smart, The origin ofthe earth.yLet us not then exalt the scientific

meth

od unduly as th

e closepreserve of the scientist nor, whichis much more important, as the onlymeans by which we attempt to

discover th

e secrets of nature.

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y But more and more scientists are realizing thatthey are exploring only one section the great world

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of nature in all its manifold complexity; beauty,moral, conduct, spiritual values, religiousexperience, are all outside their domain, yet allcome within mans scrutiny when he attempts tointerpret the universe as a whole and strives todiscern purpose therein

Harris, Kelvin (1979),Educationand Knowledge

yTh

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yThe limitations of empiricism inhuman and social sciences can bemanifested in different areas

among them:yDerived conclusions could not be

logically valid for generalizationbecause there could be exceptions.

yMethodology of data collection is

h h h

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theory laden, that is, theinvestigatorhas preconceptions andmotives, which influence his

choice of methodology of investigation and this subsequentlyaffects the outcome

y The humanistic studies of Western man and the

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social analysis of Western society by a Westernscientist are necessarily "Western" and cannotserve as models for the study of Muslims or of their society.

Ismail Raji al-Faruqi (1977), "Islamizing theSocial Sciences"

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1. Natural and physical sciencesyTh h h

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yThe scientific method in its technicalprocedures has a universalapplication.

y It was initially started by Muslimscientists and, later developed byWestern scientists, and became as ah

eritage ofh

umanity.

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y The employment of this Western methodologyin the Muslim world is leading towardW t i ti f M li i ti

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Westernization of Muslim societies.y Refer back to slide 260.

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e.g.

O d di f h

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Our understanding of therelationship between the earth andthe sun is mediated by mental

constructs, and hence is completelyat variance with the immediateimpression received from the senses.

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Setting the norm/ standard/ modely In social and human science norms, models,

standards are cr cial for nderstanding j dging

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standards are crucial for understanding, judging,and changing human behaviour as well as socialphenomena.

y The norms/ standards/ models are used to deduceconclusions.

yWestern scholarship assumes that

th ti f th W t i t

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the practices of the Western society(which is assumed to stand at the

peak of human evolution) become

the standard of normality.

Integrative Methodology of

R l d K l d d

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Revealed Knowledge andHuman Knowledge

yThe common point among Muslim

scholars who are concerned withIslamization of knowledge/Islamic methodology is the

incorporation of Revelation intodifferent fields of research.

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yReflect the Islamic objectives andl

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valuesySet our norms/ standards/ models

which are derived from the Quran,the Sunnah, and the practice of theearly Muslim society

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Conclusiony Muslims of the past always followed the Islamic methodology in

the research:

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y They based their work on the principle of tawhid;

y They verified the information to ensure its authenticity;

y They were sincere, pious, enthusiastic, committed and dedicated

researchers;y They perceived knowledge as a comprehensive whole;

y They avoided any innovation in the religion for fear of Allahspunishment;

y They had greater familiarity with classical Arabic than

contemporary Muslim scholars, which facilitated their

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contemporary Muslim scholars, which facilitated theirunderstanding and analysis of the original texts;

y They used to commence their work with bismillahi al-Rahman al-Rahim (in the Name of Allah, the Gracious,

the Merciful), seeking Allahs blessings and conclude bydedicating their results to Him; in this way they treatedtheir research as an act of ibadah.

Islam andCi ili i

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Civilization1. Meaning of civilization2. Civilization and Culture3. Arabic terms for civilization4. Characteristics of Civilization

Arabic terms:yal- Hadarah/ Al-Tamaddun/ al-

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al- Hadarah/Al-Tamaddun/ al-Madaniyyah

yAl-Tamaddun/ al-Madaniyyah:

derived from the wordmadinah(city or town), and

din(religion).yAl-Umran

Meaning of CivilizationAn advanced level of development in society

that is marked by complex social and political

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that is marked by complex social and politicalorganization, and material, scientific, andartistic progress

A society, its culture and its way of life duringa particular period of time or in a particularpart of the world.

yThe way and level of life of people

in the cities as contrasted with the

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in the cities as contrasted with theway and level of life in rural areas.yThe relation between madinah

and dinindicates the role ofreligion in the establishment ofcivilization and refinement of social

culture

y Civilization designates a condition ofhumansociety characterized by a high level ofcultural and technological achievements;

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cultural and technological achievements;y and correspondingly complex social and

political developmenty

It is an advanced state of intellectual, culturaland material development in human society

y Each civilization has a body or matter and a soul.

y The body of the civilization is its material

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e body of t e civilization is its materialachievements such as buildings, infrastructure,agriculture, industry, educational institutions,technological equipment, and all that is related to

various pleasures of worldly life.

The soul of civilization is the set of;

y ideologies,

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ideologies,y concepts,y moral values,y manners and traditions that are embodied in the

behavior of individuals, groups, and theirinterrelations.

Characteristics of Islamic civilization

1- Based on the

y Muslim civilization was the first universal

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1 Based on the y Muslim civilization was the first universalcivilization that was based on a pure andstrict unitarianism (unity of God)

y Th

e only one wh

o deserves submissiony The only one who deserves worshipy The only one who deserves absolute

obedience.

yEliminates idolatry (idols, and

statues)

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statues)yFrees common people from the

oppression of the kings,Papacy,

and BrahmanismySets right the relationship between

the ruler and the ruled (all people

are equal)

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y Open to the contribution of all members of theMuslim ummah regardless of their race, ethnicity,or colour, and even non-Muslim citizens.

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or colour, and even non Muslim citizens.y This civilization is attributed to all Muslims on an

equal basis.y

(Arab nationalism Western civilization =supremacy of white man)y [Universality vs. Globalization]

3- Moderate Rationalismy It gives human reason a high positiony Its faith is based on reasoning and conviction

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Its fait is based on reasoning and convictiony It rejects superstitious and unfounded beliefs.y It does not go to the extreme of denying the

truth

s wh

ich

are not directly related toempirical knowledge but are based onrevealed knowledge

4.Tolerancey Tolerance towards people of different religions

(especially Christians and Jews)

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(espec a y C st a s a d Jews)y Minorities enjoyed a high level of tolerance and

freedom of religion and economic pursuit.y This characteristic is peculiar for a civilization

based on religious foundations.

yIt would be reasonable for asecularist who does not believe

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secularist who does not believein any religion to treat religions

equally and give peoplefreedom of belief, but it may bedifficult for a religious person

to do so.

5. Integrated and balanced

civilization

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civilizationy Integrates the faith with the state/

rejection of secularismy Integrates the body with the spirit

(material vs. spiritual)y Integrates the worldly life with the

life in the hereafter

y Integrates empirical sciences withrevelation

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revelationyAssigns priority to moral principles

= morality vs. pragmatismy Integration in a balanced manneryBalance means following a middle

course between two extremes ofthought and action.

Western Culture and Civilizationy

Western Civilization is Th

e civilizationthat has evolved out of the historical fusion

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that has evolved out of the historical fusionof cultures, philosophies, values andaspirations of ancient Greece and Rome;

th

eir amalgamation with

Judaism andChristianity, and their further developmentand formation by the Latin, Germanic,C e l t i c a n d N o r d i c P e o p l e s .

Western Civilization

Ch

aracteristics of Western civilizationy In terms of material progress and

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C aracteristics of Western civilizationy In terms of material progress andscientific exploration, the modernWestern civilization has surpassedall civilizations across history.

y Pushing forward mans incentivesand capabilities to exploit nature and

benefit from it.

yT

ech

nological ach

ievements =eased human life luxury

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ec nological ac ievements eased human life, luxuryyEffective management and

organizationyRespect ofhuman rights within

its homelands

The ideologies of the Western civilization are:1. Utilitarian materialismy This civilization may not deny the existence of

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y yGod strongly and openly, or deny the existenceof the spirit.

y But it does not recognize the value of God inits ideological system.

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2. Secularismy Inspired by secular philosophy, devoid of

certainty, subject to constant review and

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y jchange

y Its worldview formulation is not upon revealedknowledge and religious belief but rather uponcultural tradition, speculations to secular lifecentered upon man as physical entity

y religion as a personal matter limited

to individual practice with

out anyinterference in social economic or

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to individual practice wit out anyinterference in social, economic orpolitical activitiesy

religious practice limited to deadrituals

y Destruction of moral values =

utilitarianism/ pragmatismD t ti f f il ( b ti

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utilitarianism pragmatismy Destruction of family (abortion,

neglect of the elderly)y

Created an atmosphere of fear,anxiety and distraction3. Atheism: The doctrine or belief

that there is no God

4. Humanismy Reliance upon the powers ofhuman reason alone

to guide man through life

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5. Dualismy Adherence to the validity of dualistic vision of

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reality and truthy Affirmation of the reality of the

temporary/impermanent aspect of existenceprojecting a secular worldview

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The Rise and Decline

of Islamic civilization

A brief chronology ofMuslimCivilization

Preparatory phase571: Birth of the Prophet

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571: Birth of the Prophet.This year was marked with an i