Naquib Al-Attas’ Islamization of Knowledge

Naquib Al-Attas’ Islamization of Knowledge
Author: Mohd Faizal Musa
Publisher: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute
Total Pages: 1
Release: 2021-07-29
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 981501109X

The concept of the Islamization of knowledge was introduced by Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas in the late 1970s. It aimed to detach knowledge from Western culture and civilization in order to replace it with Islamic concepts, frameworks and values. The Islamization of knowledge was to occur in the fields of education and culture, manifesting in changes to the syllabus in institutions of higher learning and niche areas of interest in selected research institutes. In the field of culture, however, it resulted in an unintended consequence of Malay literature being heavily characterized by Islamic elements. Over the years, proponents of the Islamization of knowledge in Malaysia have moved beyond the fields of education and culture. They have entered the mainstream and become part of the state machinery, thus possibly impacting national policies. The concept has also evolved and arguably led to the strengthening of Islamic conservatism among Malaysian intellectual and cultural elites. More specifically, its exclusivist thinking does not augur well for intra- and intercommunal relations in the country.

Islam and Secularism

Islam and Secularism
Author: Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2023-08-19
Genre:
ISBN: 9788119024346

Written 40 years ago, Islam and Secularism is one of the most creative and original works of a Muslim thinker in the contemporary Muslim world. The author deals with fundamental problems faced by contemporary Muslims and provides real solutions, beginning with a discussion on 'The Contemporary Western Christian Background' in Chapter (I), followed by his analysis of the concepts (which he newly defines) of 'secular', 'secularization', and 'secularism' in Chapter (II). All this is then contrasted in Chapter (IV) of the book entitled 'Islam: The Concept of Religion and the Foundation of Ethics and Morality'. Based on all the preceding explanation, the author proceeds to analyze the Muslim 'dilemma' by declaring that it should be resolved primarily through what he calls the "dewesternization of knowledge" or, conversely, the "islamization of contemporary knowledge", an original concept conceived and elucidated by the author for the past five decades. Numerous original and profound ideas are contained in this book-arrived at chiefly through critical study of the Muslim tradition-such as the concepts of dīn, 'adl, ḥikmah, adab, ma'nā, and ta'dīb, and their significance in the development of an Islamic system of education. The rationale for the Islamization of contemporary knowledge and the establishment of a truly Islamic university was in fact provided for the first time in contemporary Muslim thought by this author long before the appearance of the present book, which explains these interconnected subjects more concisely. Further, the appendix entitled, 'On Islamization: The Case of the Malay-Indonesian Archipelago' is an actual explanation and application of the seminal ideas discussed in the book. This is a must-read for all Muslims and those concerned with the problems and effects of secularization in our world today. Islam and Secularism is a development of ideas contained in the many paragraphs of another book in Malay entitled: Risalah Untuk Kaum Muslimin, which the author wrote and completed during the first few months of 1974. Due to many circumstances which demanded the author's attention at home and ahmad, however, the Risalah has not yet been sent to the press. In this book, what is contained in Chapter III was composed and completed during the month of Ramaḍān of 1395 (1975), and delivered as a Lecture under the same title to the International Islamic Conference held in April 1976 at the Royal Commonwealth Society, London, in conjunction with the World of Islam Festival celebrated there that year. It was published as a monograph in the same year by the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM), Kuala Lumpur, and in 1978 it appeared, together with other Lectures delivered on the same occasion by various Muslim scholars, in a book of one volume entitled: The Challenge of Islam, edited by Altaf Gauhar and published by the Islamic Council of Europe, London. All the other Chapters of the book were begun in March 1977 and completed in April of the same year, during my appointment as Visiting Scholar and Professor of Islamics at the Department of Religion, Temple University, Philadelphia, U.S.A., in the Winter and Spring of 1976-1977. What is contained in Chapter V was presented as a Paper entitled: "Preliminary Thoughts on the Nature of Knowledge and the Definition and Aims of Education", addressed to the First World Conference on Muslim Education held at Mecca in April 1977. It will appear, together with other selected Papers of the Conference, in a book entitled: Aims and Objectives of Islamic Education, edited with an introduction by the author and published by King Abdulaziz University and Hodder & Stoughton, London, 1979, as one of a series of seven books.

The Educational Philosophy and Practice of Syed Muhammad Naguib Al-Attas

The Educational Philosophy and Practice of Syed Muhammad Naguib Al-Attas
Author: Mohd. Nor Wan Daud (Wan.)
Publisher:
Total Pages: 507
Release: 1998
Genre: Islam
ISBN: 9789839379105

The topic of Islamization of contemporary knowledge and education of the Muslims was debated at the First World Conference on Muslim Education in Mecca in 1977, but no serious attempt has been made to trace the history of the ideas and to study and evaluate some these matters in practice.

Tradition and Islamic Learning

Tradition and Islamic Learning
Author: Norshahril Saat
Publisher: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute
Total Pages: 118
Release: 2018-03-19
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9814786853

The Al-Azhar University remains the top destination for Southeast Asian students pursuing an Islamic studies degree. The university, built in the last millennium, has been able to withstand competition from modern universities across the globe and continues to produce influential Islamic studies graduates. What are the motivations of students pursuing a degree at Al-Azhar? What are the challenges they face? Are they certain of their future and career opportunities upon their return to Singapore? This book combines both qualitative and quantitative analysis of former and current students at the Al-Azhar University. It not only hopes to develop more critical analysis of returning Al-Azhar graduates but also attempts to understand the deeper connections between Muslims in Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore, and the Middle East.

Islam

Islam
Author: Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas
Publisher:
Total Pages: 52
Release: 2013
Genre: Islam
ISBN: 9789670149349

From the Greeks to the Arabs and Beyond

From the Greeks to the Arabs and Beyond
Author: Hans Daiber
Publisher: BRILL
Total Pages: 831
Release: 2021-07-05
Genre: History
ISBN: 9004441816

From the Greeks to the Arabs and Beyond written by Hans Daiber, is a six volume collection of Daiber’s scattered writings, journal articles, essays and encyclopaedia entries on Greek-Syriac-Arabic translations, Islamic theology and Sufism, the history of science, Islam in Europe, manuscripts and the history of oriental studies. It also includes reviews and obituaries. Vol. V and VI are catalogues of newly discovered Arabic manuscript originals and films/offprints from manuscripts related to the topics of the preceding volumes.

Islamic Thought

Islamic Thought
Author: Abdullah Saeed
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 222
Release: 2006-11-22
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1134225644

Islamic Thought is a fresh and contemporary introduction to the philosophies and doctrines of Islam. Abdullah Saeed, a distinguished Muslim scholar, traces the development of religious knowledge in Islam, from the pre-modern to the modern period. The book focuses on Muslim thought, as well as the development, production and transmission of religious knowledge, and the trends, schools and movements that have contributed to the production of this knowledge. Key topics in Islamic culture are explored, including the development of the Islamic intellectual tradition, the two foundation texts, the Qur’an and Hadith, legal thought, theological thought, mystical thought, Islamic Art, philosophical thought, political thought, and renewal, reform and rethinking today. Through this rich and varied discussion, Saeed presents a fascinating depiction of how Islam was lived in the past and how its adherents practise it in the present. Islamic Thought is essential reading for students beginning the study of Islam but will also interest anyone seeking to learn more about one of the world’s great religions.