Ismail al-Faruqi: Islamisasi Ilmu Pengetahuan

Summary

The video discusses the impact of foreign cultural imitation on the decline of Islam, leading to issues like de-Islamization, demoralization, and westernization. It introduces al-Faruqi's concept of the Islamization of science, which began at the 1977 Mecca conference and was further developed with the establishment of the IIIT in 1981. Al-Faruqi proposed a framework based on Islamic values to bridge the gap between secular and religious knowledge. While his ideas were groundbreaking, critics like Ziauddin Sardar argue that his approach still risks adhering to Western scientific frameworks, suggesting a need for a distinct Islamic worldview to truly create an Islamic science.

Takeaways

• 😀 Muslims imitating foreign cultures has contributed to de-Islamization, demoralization, and westernization, blurring the view of Islam.
• 😀 This situation led al-Faruqi to develop ideas to address global Muslim issues, starting with the Islamization of science.
• 😀 The concept of Islamization of science was introduced during the first World Conference on Islamic Education in Mecca in 1977.
• 😀 Al-Faruqi established the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) in Washington in 1981 to reform Muslim thought and promote the Islamization of science.
• 😀 Islamization of science, according to Al-Faruqi, is about creating a scientific paradigm based on Islamic values, addressing ontology, epistemology, and axiology.
• 😀 Al-Faruqi wanted to merge modern scientific disciplines with Islamic insight through critical study, not just as an academic pursuit but as a broader effort to align material and spiritual life.
• 😀 Al-Faruqi argued that science has caused dualism between knowledge from Revelation and reason, with the assumption that science is value-free, influencing a person's worldview.
• 😀 Monotheism is the foundational principle of Al-Faruqi’s concept of science, with five key axes: the unity of God, creation, knowledge, life, and human beings.
• 😀 Al-Faruqi proposed 12 procedural steps for Islamizing science, including mastering classical Islamic texts, critically analyzing Western knowledge through the Qur'an, and synthesizing both for a holistic Islamic science.
• 😀 Criticizing Al-Faruqi’s approach, Ziauddin Sardar argued that his efforts risked recognizing Western science as a standard, potentially leading to a framework still influenced by Western thinking.

Q & A

What is the Islamization of science, and why is it important?

The Islamization of science is an effort to align scientific knowledge with Islamic values. It aims to integrate modern scientific disciplines with Islamic principles, addressing the dualism between Revelation and reason. This effort seeks to create a unified scientific paradigm that is ethical and just, rooted in faith and monotheism.

Who is Ismail al-Faruqi, and what role did he play in the Islamization of science?

Ismail al-Faruqi was a prominent Muslim scholar who proposed the concept of the Islamization of science. He founded the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) in 1981, which aimed to reform Muslim intellectual thought by integrating modern science with Islamic principles and values.

What were the five axes of monotheism that al-Faruqi emphasized in his concept of Islamizing science?

Al-Faruqi outlined five axes of monotheism: the unity of God, the unity of creation, the unity of knowledge, the unity of life, and the unity of humans. These principles formed the foundation for his vision of a scientific paradigm that is harmonious and rooted in Islamic values.

What are the key procedural steps that al-Faruqi proposed for the Islamization of science?

Al-Faruqi proposed twelve procedural steps, which can be summarized into three key points: 1) Muslims must master both classical Islamic texts and Western scientific knowledge. 2) They should critically analyze Western knowledge through the perspective of the Qur'an. 3) They must synthesize both sources to create a unified, Islamic form of science.

How does al-Faruqi view the relationship between secularism and science?

Al-Faruqi believed that secularism can heavily influence the way science is perceived and practiced. He argued that a secular approach to science could lead to a secular worldview, which would influence the thinker’s broader framework of understanding. Thus, he called for a more integrated approach to science that incorporates Islamic values.

What was the purpose behind the establishment of the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT)?

The IIIT was founded by al-Faruqi in 1981 to reform the thinking of Muslims and promote the Islamization of knowledge, including science. The institute aimed to create a platform for scholars to critically engage with both Western and Islamic intellectual traditions to produce a more holistic and integrated understanding of knowledge.

What criticism did Ziauddin Sardar offer regarding al-Faruqi's approach to the Islamization of science?

Ziauddin Sardar criticized al-Faruqi for being too focused on making Islam relevant to modern Western science. Sardar argued that this could lead to the acceptance of Western science as the standard, which would undermine the creation of a truly independent Islamic system of knowledge. He suggested that the Islamization of science should begin with the development of an Islamic worldview.

Why does Sardar believe that building an Islamic worldview is essential for the Islamization of science?

Sardar argued that an Islamic worldview should be the foundation of the Islamization of science because it would provide a unique starting point for Islamic epistemology. Only by establishing this worldview first could a genuinely Islamic system of science emerge, distinct from the Western framework.

What does al-Faruqi mean by the concept of 'unity' in his five axes of monotheism?

Al-Faruqi's concept of 'unity' in the five axes refers to the interconnectedness and harmony between key elements: the unity of God, creation, knowledge, life, and humanity. By emphasizing these unities, al-Faruqi aimed to create a scientific paradigm that reflected a cohesive, integrated worldview grounded in Islamic teachings.

How does al-Faruqi’s concept of Islamizing science differ from traditional secular science?

Al-Faruqi's concept differs from secular science in that it integrates Islamic values, specifically the monotheistic principles, into scientific practice. Secular science often operates in isolation from religious or ethical considerations, while al-Faruqi sought to unify material and spiritual knowledge under the guidance of Islamic teachings.