Islamization of knowledge

Short description: Concept integrating Islamic and modern knowledge

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Key texts

* Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam
(Iqbal 1930s)

* Principles of State and Government
(Asad 1961)

* Ma'alim fi al-Tariq ("Milestones")
(Qutb 1965)

* Islamic Government:
Governance of the Jurist ("Velayat-e faqih")
(Khomeini 1970)

Heads of state

* Ali Khamenei
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* Mohamed Morsi
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* Zia-ul-Haq

Key ideologues

* Muhammad Abduh
* Jamāl al-Dīn al-Afghānī
* Qazi Hussain Ahmad
* Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani
* Muhammad Asad
* Hassan al-Banna
* Rached Ghannouchi
* Safwat Hegazi
* Muhammad Iqbal
* Ali Khamenei
* Ruhollah Khomeini
* Necip Fazıl Kısakürek
* Abul A'la Maududi
* Taqi al-Din al-Nabhani
* Yusuf al-Qaradawi
* Sayyid Qutb
* Tariq Ramadan
* Ata Abu Rashta
* Rashid Rida
* Navvab Safavi
* Ali Shariati
* Haji Shariatullah
* Hassan Al-Turabi
* Ahmed Yassin
* Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab

Criticism of Islamism

* Criticism of Islamism
* Criticism of Islam
* Liberal movements within Islam
* Khaled Abu al-Fadl
* Farag Foda
* Abdelwahab Meddeb
* Maryam Namazie
* Maajid Nawaaz
* Olivier Roy

Related topics

* Islam and other religions
* Islamophobia
* Reform movements
* Modernity (Modernism)

* v
* t
* e

The Islamization of Knowledge (also abbreviated as IoK) is a conceptual framework originating from Islamic philosophy, advocating for the integration of Islamic teachings with modern academic disciplines, such as the social sciences, management sciences, humanities, sciences, engineering, and technology. This model emphasizes that all knowledge and scientific inquiry should align with the principles of Islam, aiming to foster a holistic understanding of the world through an Islamic worldview.[1] This includes aligning ethical principles and scientific practices with Islamic teachings to address contemporary issues.

## Contents

* 1 Origins
* 2 Principles and frameworks
* 3 Reception and critiques
* 4 Impact and legacy
* 5 See also
* 6 References
* 7 External links

## Origins

The Islamization of Knowledge traces its roots to the 1977 Makkah conference,[2] an influential event that initiated a dialogue among Islamic intellectuals regarding the role of Islam in shaping knowledge in the modern world.[3] Among these intellectuals, Isma'il Raji al-Faruqi played a pivotal role in formalizing and articulating the concept. Al-Faruqi expressed concerns about the secularization of knowledge in Muslim societies,[4] describing it as "the malaise of the ummah" (Muslim community). He argued that reliance on Western tools and analytical methods often led to breaches of Islamic ethics and a disconnect with the ecological and social realities of Muslim nations.[5]

Al-Faruqi advocated for the revival of methods used in early Muslim philosophy, the restoration of ijtihad (independent reasoning), and the integration of scientific methodologies within the boundaries of Islam. His theoretical framework and work plan for this concept were outlined in his 1982 book, Islamization of Knowledge: General Principles and Work Plan, which remains a foundational reference.[6]

## Principles and frameworks

The Islamization of Knowledge emphasizes the integration of Islamic teachings with modern disciplines by critiquing and re-evaluating contemporary fields through an Islamic perspective.[7] Ismail al-Faruqi’s 12-step work plan systematically integrates Islamic principles with modern disciplines. It focuses on mastery of modern sciences, understanding Islamic knowledge in various fields, and establishing the relevance of Islamic values to contemporary academic disciplines. Al-Faruqi's approach critiques Western epistemologies and recasts them within an Islamic worldview, harmonizing ethical and intellectual pursuits with the tenets of Islam.[8]

In Southeast Asia, Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas developed a complementary framework. He emphasized linguistic and philosophical foundations, focusing on the role of adab (proper conduct) and the metaphysical aspects of knowledge. His contributions shaped the curricula of institutions like ISTAC, which he helped establish.[9]

Abdullah Berghout, a contemporary scholar, proposed a quality-management system model for Islamization, incorporating Islamic perspectives into modern academic disciplines. His framework emphasizes input, procedure, output, and feedback, focusing on intellectual, psychomotor, and affective domains, with particular emphasis on the affective domain.[10]

The implementation of Islamization involves steps such as mastering modern disciplines, analyzing their history and development, mastering Islamic legacy, and critically evaluating modern knowledge from an Islamic perspective. It includes synthesizing Islamic and modern knowledge and reformulating these disciplines within an Islamic framework.[11]

## Reception and critiques

Supporters argue that the Islamization of Knowledge enables Muslims to maintain their religious identity in a secular world while benefiting from modern advancements.[12][13] Critics, however, highlight potential risks, such as conflating religion with science, restricting academic freedom, and imposing a single interpretation of Islam on diverse Muslim societies.[14][15]

## Impact and legacy

The concept has significantly influenced academic institutions such as the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), which advances research on Islamic epistemology and interdisciplinary studies.[16][17] Similarly, institutions like IIUM have implemented integrated curricula combining Islamic values with modern disciplines, serving as models for others globally.

## See also

* Islamization
* Islamic advice literature
* Islamic revival
* Early Islamic philosophy
* Islamic philosophy
* Torah Umadda, a philosophy concerning the interrelationship of secular knowledge and Jewish knowledge

## References

1. ↑ Rosenthal, Franz (2006) (in en). Knowledge Triumphant: The Concept of Knowledge in Medieval Islam. Boston; Leiden: Brill.
2. ↑ Maiwada, Danjuma A. (1997). "Islamization of Knowledge: Background and Scope". The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences 14 (2).
3. ↑ Ahmed, Mohammad Kaosar (2014). "Perspectives on the Discourse of Islamization of Education". American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences 2 (1). doi:10.11634/232907811402449.
4. ↑ al-Faruqi, Isma'il Raji (1982) (in en). Islam: Source and Purpose of Knowledge: Proceedings and Selected Papers of Second Conference on Islamization of Knowledge. IIIT.
5. ↑ Ahsan, Muhammad Amimul (2013). "Islamization of Knowledge: An Agenda for Muslim Intellectuals" (in en). Global Journal of Management and Business Research Administration and Management 13 (10).
6. ↑ al-Faruqi, Isma'il Raji (1982) (in en). Islamization of Knowledge: General Principles and Work Plan. IIIT.
7. ↑ Stenberg, Leif (1986). "Seyyed Hossein Nasr and Ziauddin Sardar on Islam and Science: marginalization or modernization of a religious tradition". Social Epistemology 10 (10).
8. ↑ Madani, Rehaf A. (2016). "Islamization of Science" (in en). International Journal of Islamic Thought 9: 51–63. doi:10.24035/ijit.09.2016.006.
9. ↑ Musa, Mohd Faizal (2021) (in en). Naquib Al-Attas' Islamization of Knowledge: Its Impact on Malay Religious Life, Literature, Language, and Culture. Singapore: ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.
10. ↑ Berghout, Abdullah (2011). "Islamisation in Modern Sciences: The Way Forward". Revelation and Science 1 (3): 21–34.
11. ↑ Madani, Rehaf A. (2016). "Islamization of Science" (in en). International Journal of Islamic Thought 9: 51–63. doi:10.24035/ijit.09.2016.006.
12. ↑ Saqeb, Ghulam Nabi (2000). "Some Reflections on Islamization of Education Since 1977 Makkan Conference: Accomplishments, Failures, and Tasks Ahead". Intellectual Discourse 8 (1).
13. ↑ El-Affendi, Abdelwahab (2001) (in en). Rethinking Islam and Modernity: Essays in Honour of Fathi Osman. Islamic Texts Society.
14. ↑ Stenberg, Leif (1986). "Seyyed Hossein Nasr and Ziauddin Sardar on Islam and Science: marginalization or modernization of a religious tradition". Social Epistemology 10 (10).
15. ↑ Sardar, Ziauddin; Jeremy Henzell-Thomas (2018) (in en). Books-In-Brief: Rethinking Reform in Higher Education: From Islamization to Integration of Knowledge. International Institute of Islamic Thought.
16. ↑ "About Us". International Institute of Islamic Thought. https://iiit.org/en/about-us/.
17. ↑ Sinanović, Ermin (April 29, 2016). "International Institute of Islamic Thought and Its Role in Promoting Islamic Studies at Theological Seminaries" (in en). Religious Studies News. https://rsn.aarweb.org/spotlight-on/theo-ed/islamic-theology/international-institute-islamic-thought-and-its-role-promoting-islamic-studies.

## External links

* Ibrahim Ragab, The Islamization of Social Sciences
* Alan Godlas, Liberal and progressive Islam, University of Georgia
* Imtiyaz Yusuf (ed.), Islam and Knowledge: Al Faruqi's Concept of Religion in Islamic Thought (2012)

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