Islamization of Knowledge in contemporary world

Being a revealed, comprehensive and universal ideology, Islam recognizes both spiritual and
mundane requirements of the human beings. As for spirituality is concerned, the most
insisting aspect of the Islam is that it brings creation close to its creator (Lord), Islamic
teachings are based the concept of Tawheed (oneness of Allah Almighty). Islam vehemently
condemns all sorts of polytheism (shrik). For the acquisition of this purpose Allah (SWT)
sent multiple Prophets at different times and different places with varied capacities. However,
simultaneously taking into consideration the mundane needs and requirements, Islam
provides complete and comprehensive guidelines for the human beings, Islam encourages
human beings to generate wealth through legitimate means. In the Qur'an Allah (SWT) says,
"when the prayer is ended disperse in the land and seek to obtain (something) of God's
bounty...." Jumma'h:10 This verse of the Holy Qur'an explicitly says that how much Islam is
serious about human needs. In the intellectual field, Islam insists individuals to get
acquaintance from other science (Uloom) also. In multiple verses of the Qur'an, humans have
been asked to ponder over the universe, God Almighty has bestowed individuals with
intellectual faculties for the acquisition of beneficial knowledge. However, human beings
have to comprehend things according to Islamic Worldview by using Islamic research
methodology. In fact, all the sciences should be reformed and framed according to Islamic
epistemological parameters. It is called
Islamization of Knowledge (IOK). The main aim of IOK is to bridge the dichotomy between
revealed and non-revealed sciences for the purpose of human benefit. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi
says that IOK means to reform the whole human knowledge to Islamic point of view. Taha
Jabir Alwani sees IOK as amalgamation of revelation and natural sciences. Fazlur Rahman
stresses upon creation of thinkers who can examine our own tradition in the light of Qur'an
and Sunnah, moreover he says that the modern knowledge needs a critical study. Naqib al-
Attas says Islamization means the deliverance of knowledge from it's interpretation based on
secular ideology and from meanings and expressions of the secular. He suggests two steps for
IOK: liberation of knowledge from western culture and modification of this knowledge
within Islamic framework. Ziauddin Sardar says that Muslims need to evolve their own
paradigms and innovate appropriate disciplines within the conceptual categories and value
framework of Islam.
These scholars gave not only a comprehensive concept of IOK, rather they contributed much
towards this project. Besides these, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Jamal al-din al-Afghani,
Muhammad Abduh and Muhammad Rashid Ridha also can be seen in the field of IOK. The
basic aim of Islamic epistemology is to bring creation close to it's creator. Islamic
epistemology recognize the mundane ends of the human beings also. The Prophet (SAW) laid
the foundation of such an educational system where the adherents of Islam got developed
spiritually, intellectually, morally, socially and culturally. In the early days of the Islam a
paramount importance was given to other sciences also, people were curious to know new
things for their benifit. Subsequently, al-Ghazzali (1058-1111), Ibn Sina. (980-1037), al-
Farabi (872-950),Ibn Taymiyyah(1263-1328) and many other scholars of the same field
promoted such an educational system which provided a congenial atmosphere for alround
development of an individual within Islamic framework where revelation was placed first.
They introduced other sciences also in the Muslim educational curriculum. And understood
them according to Islamic epistemology .So these were some examples of the IOK during
early Islam and intellectual greatness of the people.
Similarly during 20th centurymany international conferences were held at different places of
the Muslim world with the collective aim of IOK. In 1977 a two week international
conference was held in
Switzerland, here the participants focused on reformation in Muslim education. In 1998
another conference of the same nature was held in Islamabad,Pakistan. This conference was
assisted by Islamic University Pakistan. The main motive of this conference was IOK in
Muslim education. Third conference was held on 24 July 1984 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in
this regard. Fourth one was held on January 1987 in Khartoum, Sudan. They focused on
methodology of Islamic thought and islamization of behavioral sciences.
In contemporary times, Muslim Ummah is facing various challenges at intellectual level, out
of these challenges educational dilemma stands first which is contributing immensely to the
intellectual decline of Muslim Ummah. Dichotomy between revelation and reason, blind
adherence (Taqlid), uncritical thinking and personal and sectarian bias are some major factors
at indigenous level of the Muslim educational system towards intellectual decline of the
Muslim Ummah, besides, the concepts of modernity and enlightenment are some other
factors at external level which have completely negated the divine source of knowledge,
consequently there are educational crises in the Muslim Ummah. So there is a dire need to
address these issues at intellectual level and to pull out Muslims from this dilemma and
confusion. Although the project of IOK was launched during 20th century to cure the
intellectual ills of the Muslims, and the scholars associated with this project done their best to
bring out Muslims from educational dilemma and left no stone unscathed in this regard,
however, the project of IOK is more valid in contemporary time.IOK ,on one hand helps to
clear the misconceptions about modern sciences from the minds of Muslim youth especially,
and will serve the purpose of their mundane needs, on the other hand It can be helpful to
present a comprehensive, universal, firm and violence less image of Islam in the front of
other communities.
Muslim educational system must needs a complete reformation, the primary and original
sources of Islam needs a comprehensive interpretation in light of modern needs and
challenges ,as classical interpretation can't provide solution to modern issues. Islamic
research methodology alone can help to understand the modern sciences and to bridge the gap
between revelation and reason. Muslim education system should be human benefit oriented.
The aim of Islamic epistemology is human service in all aspects . It's narrated that Prpohet
(SAW) said that "I seek refuge of that knowledge which is of no use".
Islamic education system needs liberation from blind adherence, sectarian prejudice and
narrow thinking. A spirit of research has to be infused in Muslims, door of ijtihad should be
opened, and exercising of ijtihad especially on those issues is must where Qur'an and Sunnah
remains silent. Introduction of Arabic language course at different Islamic academic levels is
must, moreover, translation of primary sources of Islamic teachings into other languages can
contribute much towards the same purpose. Introduction of modern sciences at Muslim
educational system has no less importance in this regard IOK is alone step to regenerate the
Muslims at intellectual level.