Toward An Islamic Alternative In Thought and Knowledge

Abstract

Introduction
Current developments and the many acute problems facing the Muslim
Ummah, especially at the intellectual level, present a serious challenge to
Islam. This is why an attempt to outline an intellectual Islamic alternative
in thought and knowledge has never been so urgent and imperative. Thi
will, insha 'Allah, help in formulating a clear and coordinated policy with
regard to cultural transformation based on firm principles and sound strategy.
It is also hoped that this policy will lead to scientific findings.
By way of introduction, I will give a brief description of the state of
knowledge and thought. and of the educational and cultural systems in the
contemporary Arab and Muslim world.
The Present State of Thought
When examining the present state of thought among the Muslim peoples.
three basic approaches can be identified:
• The first can be described as the traditionalist approach which,
by and large, considers the "traditional'' thought of the Ummah
to be self-sufficient and capable of being presented as
it is or with very little alteration. This approach suggests
that the Ummah's contemporary intellectual life can be formed
and organized and that the structure of its civilization can
be built on this basis. This approach i often described as
the approach of authenticity.
• The second approach considers contemporary Western thought
and its world-view-its concepts of existence, of life and of
man-to be universal, without it a modern culture and civilization
cannot be built. This tendency maintains that Western
thought must be adopted in toto, and any consequent negative
aspects are the price that must be paid if a modern culture
and civilization are to be established. This view is often
described as mcdemistic.
• The third trend, or the eclectic approach, advocates yet
another view. It contends that one must select from traditional
thought what is most sound, and from "modern" contemporary
thought that which one considers and proves to
be correct, and weld the two to form an intellectual structure
that will provide a guaranteed basis for achieving what is
required.
However, the traditional approach, in the manner it has been presented
and applied, did not help to prevent the Ummah from falling into Lhe state
of decline and failure from which it is still suffering. Likewise, Western thought,
as it also is presented and applied, cannot protect the Ummah from its inherent
adverse, harmful and even disastrous effects. The advocates of the
eclectic selective approach have not yet presented the details of this proposed
blend, let alone tried to put it into effect. All this is conducive to the wideranging
question: Is the Umrnah going through a serious intellectual crisis;
and . if so, what is the way out of it? ...