Muhammad Abid al-Jabiri [Biografi dan Latar Belakang Pemikiran] Pemateri 1

Summary

In this presentation, Siti Lailatul Masruroh, the first speaker, introduces the influential contemporary Muslim intellectual, Muhammad Abid al-Jabiri, focusing on his biography and intellectual contributions. Al-Jabiri, born in Morocco in 1936, was known for his critiques of Arab Reason and his work on Arabic philosophy. His significant works, particularly his trilogy analyzing the Arab intellectual tradition, explore the interaction of different forms of reasoning in Arab society. Al-Jabiri's influence extended to both the intellectual and political spheres, with his ideas on Arab revivalism shaping contemporary thought in the region. The presentation also briefly mentions his thoughts on heritage and modernity, which will be elaborated by a colleague.

Takeaways

• 😀 Muhammad Abid al-Jabiri was a renowned contemporary Muslim intellectual and philosopher from Morocco, born in 1936.
• 😀 Al-Jabiri was greatly influenced by Marxism early in his life but later critiqued its application in Islamic thought.
• 😀 He was educated in both religious and secular institutions, with his academic journey beginning in Morocco and later extending to Syria and France.
• 😀 Al-Jabiri’s critical analysis of Arab reason, especially through his work *Nahkoda al-Aql al-Arabi*, challenged traditional Arabic philosophical frameworks.
• 😀 His intellectual contributions were centered around the tension between three forms of reasoning in the Arab tradition: Bayani, Irfani, and Burhani.
• 😀 Al-Jabiri’s critiques of Arab reason were motivated by his concern over the lack of real progress in Arab intellectual revival over the past century.
• 😀 He argued that the Arab revival discourse was disconnected from reality and based on a perceived gap between the Arab world and the modern West.
• 😀 His major works, including *Taqwim Al A'la Al Arobi* and *Al-Sound Halaqah al-Arobi*, focused on analyzing the epistemological and ideological roots of Arab thought.
• 😀 Al-Jabiri completed his PhD in 1970 with a thesis on Ibn Khaldun’s philosophy of history, contributing significantly to Arab-Islamic intellectual discourse.
• 😀 The speaker in the presentation, Siti Lailatul Masruroh, introduces the references used to support the discussion on Al-Jabiri’s thoughts, including journals from IAIN Syekh Abdurrahman Siddiq and UIN Ar-Raniry.
• 😀 The speaker concludes by transitioning to the next section of the presentation, where a colleague will explain Al-Jabiri’s views on heritage and modernity.

Q & A

Who is Muhammad Abid al-Jabiri and why is he considered influential?

Muhammad Abid al-Jabiri is a contemporary Muslim intellectual, philosopher, and scholar known for his critical work on Arab reason and his contributions to Islamic thought. He is influential due to his deep analysis of the intellectual history of the Arab world, particularly his critiques of the three forms of reason (bayani, irfani, and burhani) that have shaped Arab philosophical traditions.

What are the main academic contributions of Muhammad Abid al-Jabiri?

Al-Jabiri's major contributions include his critique of Arab reason, particularly in his work *Taqwim al-‘Aql al-‘Arabi* (Critique of Arab Reason). His trilogy on Arab reason explores the historical, epistemological, and ideological roots of Arab intellectual traditions and their impact on contemporary Arab society.

What was Muhammad Abid al-Jabiri's stance on Marxism and Western post-structuralism?

Initially, al-Jabiri admired Marxism, which was influential in Morocco due to the country’s colonial past. However, after reading works by thinkers like Lacoste, he began to question the applicability of Marxist and Western post-structuralist ideas in the context of Islamic thought, particularly comparing them with the ideas of Ibn Khaldun.

How did al-Jabiri's background and education influence his intellectual development?

Al-Jabiri's background in religious education and his exposure to both French and Arabic intellectual traditions significantly shaped his thoughts. His studies at the University of Damascus and the University of Mohammed V in Morocco, combined with his political activism, allowed him to critically engage with both Western and Arab intellectual traditions.

What is the significance of al-Jabiri’s critique of Arab reason?

Al-Jabiri's critique of Arab reason is significant because it addresses the intellectual stagnation in the Arab world. By analyzing the three forms of reason—bayani, irfani, and burhani—he suggests that Arab thought needs to evolve to engage with modern challenges and move beyond its historical constraints.

Why does al-Jabiri use the term 'Arab reason' rather than 'Islamic reason'?

Al-Jabiri uses the term 'Arab reason' because his analysis focuses on classical Arabic literature and intellectual traditions that emerged in the Arab socio-political and cultural context. He argues that this term better reflects the tensions and limitations of Arab intellectual history compared to the broader term 'Islamic reason.'

What was the central motivation behind al-Jabiri’s intellectual work?

Al-Jabiri was motivated by his frustration with the Arab world's inability to foster meaningful social and political change despite its calls for a revival of Islamic civilization. He believed that Arab intellectuals were unable to engage with modernity effectively, and this contributed to the lack of real progress in Arab society.

What is the importance of al-Jabiri’s work on Ibn Khaldun's philosophy of history?

Al-Jabiri’s work on Ibn Khaldun's philosophy of history is important because it explores the concepts of social cohesion (asabiyah) and political structures (daulah) in the context of Arab societies. Al-Jabiri's analysis of these concepts helped bridge the gap between classical Islamic thought and contemporary socio-political issues in the Arab world.

How did al-Jabiri’s political activities shape his intellectual journey?

Al-Jabiri’s political activities, especially his involvement in the Istiqlal Party and his imprisonment for conspiracy against the state in 1963, shaped his intellectual journey by exposing him to the realities of political struggle. His activism informed his critiques of Arab society, its political systems, and its intellectual traditions.

What are the key themes explored in al-Jabiri’s trilogy on Arab reason?

The key themes in al-Jabiri’s trilogy include the historical development of Arab intellectual traditions, the epistemological foundations of the three forms of reason (bayani, irfani, and burhani), and the ideological tensions between them. The trilogy emphasizes the need for intellectual reform and the development of a more effective reasoning system to address modern challenges in the Arab world.