The world of Islam today is passing through a critical
period of its history. We are confronted with many problems and find
ourselves in a limbo, between aspirations and despair. We, therefore, need
to locate the key problems the Muslim nation(Muslim Ummah) faces today and
identify our duties.
If we are really sincere and determined to overcome the problems facing
Muslims worldwide, we need cooperation between the different sectors of
Muslim societies. What is particularly needed is teamwork and dialogue
between the thinkers (Mufakkirs) and traditional religious scholars (Alims
– in Arabic pl. Ulama) of Islam. While the Ulama are better versed in the
permissibility or forbidden nature of a certain act, the Mufakkirs are
advanced in the field of ideas even if they are not fully conversant with
Islamic Laws (Shariah) and regulations concerning the various forms of
worship. The Mufakkirs deeply contemplate the problems the Muslim Ummah
faces today. Hence the Alims need the opinion of the thinkers. The
thinkers, on the other hand, require the opinion of the Alims. Dr.
Muhammad Iqbal, for instance, is not considered to be an Alim but a
Mufakkir of Islam. He was a pioneering thinker of Islam. In a similar
vein, Dr. Ali Shariati of Iran was a far greater thinker than many
contemporary Alims. Syed Qutb, too, was a remarkable thinker of Islam. He
is considered a Mufakkir rather than an Alim. Likewise, Dr. Khurshid Ahmed
of Pakistan, Dr. Hasan Zaman, and Dr. Syed Sajjad Husain of Bangladesh are
Mufakkirs or thinkers. What we need is an interaction between such
thinkers (Mufakkirs) with the traditional
religious experts (Alims). The Alims will identify the limits of Islam
that cannot be crossed in matters of permissibility and prohibition (halal
and haram). The Mufakkirs, on the other hand, will try to find solutions
within these prescribed limits. At the same time, the Alims must realize
that the Mufakkirs have thoroughly studied the outstanding problems
plaguing the world today, in their various depths and dimensions. If a
synthesis between the expertise of the scholars (Alims) and the ideas of
the thinkers (Mufakkirs) can be attained, only then is it possible to
arrive at a pragmatic and realistic solution to these problems. We,
therefore, need close cooperation and collaboration between these two
different and yet interdependent groups of people.
If we really want to serve the cause of Islam in a meaningful way in
today’s world, and respond effectively to the ills of our times, we must
be aware of contemporary problems. The philosophical problems the earlier
Muslim generations faced, notably the conflict between the Mutazilites and
the Asharites, which continued for more than two centuries, are no longer
relevant today. During the last century, we confronted the ideologies of
socialism, capitalism, secularism, and the ideas of Darwin and Freud and
these continue to be significant issues until today. Our seminaries (Madrasas),
however, continue to teach the philosophy of the Mutazilites and Asharites
and other ancient philosophical issues. They do not teach philosophical
issues of current significance. The old issues no longer pertain to the
world we inhabit today. The literature on such topics can remain in the
Madrasa libraries as reference books. Such topics should not be part of
the contents of present-day Mardasa text books, which should engage
contemporary issues, those
burning philosophical questions and difficulties of the day mentioned
above.
Today, a great deal of change has become apparent in the realm of
politics. Parliamentary system has been introduced. The ballots are now
being cast in secret. Issues such as those concerning the decentralization
of power, federal structure of the government which shares powers with the
autonomous units, the delegation of power to regional government, etc.
have come to the forefront. These issues and concepts are completely new
and therefore not
discussed in the old books of Fiqh (books on law). The earlier Fiqh books
do not contain any discussion, for instance, on election or the separation
of power among the three organs of the government as these are also new
concepts. Previously the elite used to dominate politics and the public
did not play an important role. The situation is quite different today.
Today, with the strengthening of civil society, the people play a central
role embodied in the elections even
though the elite continue to play a significant role as well.
Likewise, a good deal of change has taken place in the economic arena.
Earlier, concepts like Central Bank, Monetary Policy, Inflation, etc. were
absent. If we are not adequately familiar
with developments in this field, we shall not be able to arrive at the
most judicious decisions. Against this backdrop, it is essential to attain
knowledge of modern Economics and modern
Political Science.
Here, we may cite the contributions of the eminent thinker (Mufakkir) Dr.
AbdulHamid A. Abu Sulayman, who was Rector of the International Islamic
University, Malaysia and now the President of the International Institute
of Islamic Thought, USA. He has discussed in great detail the crisis
prevalent in the Muslim World. The crisis today has become more critical
than it was 10-15 years ago. In his book Crisis in the Muslim Mind, Dr.
AbdulHamid opined that a blind imitation of the West is not desirable from
an Islamic perspective. This will also not be acceptable to the common
Muslim. No nation can become great by emulating others in a wholesale
fashion. Such a people cannot become a leading nation in the world.
One view is that we must follow the earlier generations of Mulims, imitate
the way the Abbasids and the Umayyads solved their problems, the way
jurists (Fuqaha) solved their problems some 1200 years ago. Dr. AbdulHamid
argues that this is neither possible nor practical. Many changes have
occurred in many spheres of life – in politics, economics, administration
and communication- and the solution to today’s shifting problems cannot be
found in the practices of the earlier generations or opinions of the
Fuqaha of bygone times. He suggests that we must devise fresh solutions to
contemporary problems in the light of the Quran and Sunnah. We
must identify the problems of the Muslim Ummah, evaluate the nature, depth
and dimension of each crisis adequately, and then craft solutions while
maintaining the centrality of Islamic
precepts to our considerations. In designing these solutions, we must
utilize our intellect and resort to the methodology of Ijtihad. In his
seminal book, Dr. AbdulHamid terms this approach,
which he deems to be the most adequate for tackling contemporary problems,
the “Asala approach” or “the original approach.”
I suggest that the ideas of Dr. Abdul Hamid merit serious consideration
and implementation. He has underscored the importance of considering the
specificities of time and place. With the passage of time, circumstances
change, and circumstance or context, is a crucial factor in deciding
matters of gravity. We should, therefore, try to find the ruling of the
Quran and Sunnah
on a particular problem or issue giving due importance to issues of time
and space.
Dr. Abdul Hamid further stressed the importance of rewriting the social
sciences in the light of Islam. The subject of reconceptualizing the
social sciences did not make much headway and
progress in the hands of the Muslims. We must develop the social sciences
further, taking inspiration from Islamic principles. This requires a
serious investment of time and labor on our part. The International
Islamic University Malaysia has begun questioning the conventional
premises of the social sciences. Other Islamic universities are also
committed to revamping or restructuring social scientific thought and
approaches.
Bangladesh, today, is facing numerous problems. One of the major problems
we face is poverty. The alleviation of poverty is no easy task. Some think
that we can ameliorate poverty by simply
establishing Zakah. However, I feel that this problem is a complex one and
requires a complex, multifaceted strategy. In my article ‘Poverty
Alleviation: Islamic Perspective,’ I have emphasized that we must
simultaneously establish Zakah, restore endowment (Wakf), and utilise
monetary and fiscal policy and banking system in a harmonious,
well-coordinated manner with the objective of attaining overall economic
development. Only such a polyphonic approach can help us combat poverty
effectively in today’s world.
Education comes next. This is one of the primary problems plaguing
Bangladesh. We must craft an education policy in the light of the basic
tenets of Islam. Since the existing educational curriculum fails to meet
the requirements of Islam, it must be recast. The Alims should play a
constructive and meaningful role in the reform of education in the
interest of the nation of Bangladesh. The first step they must take
towards undertaking this project is carefully considering the work already
done in this field by the International Islamic University in Malaysia,
the International Islamic University in Islamabad, Pakistan, and the
International Islamic University in Chittagong, Bangladesh. In these seats
of learning, students are required to study specialized Islamic courses -
notable among them are the Quran, Islamic Studies, Fiqh, Arabic Language,
Islamic Economics etc. - along with other modern subjects. The students,
thus, acquire a basic knowledge of Islam alongside knowledge of the
subjects in their field of specialization. In this way, the existing
curriculum is being gradually modified, refined, and restructured. The
future curricula of the Muslim World may take shape following the above
outline in due course. Therefore, we can consider the curriculum of the
International Islamic University in Malaysia, the International Islamic
University in Islamabad, Pakistan, and the International Islamic
University in Chittagong, Bangladesh to constitute models for other
institutions of higher education to follow.
The Madrasa (religious schools / colleges of the sub-continent) education
will carry great weight only if it plays a meaningful role in preparing
people who can effectively administer contemporary civic institutions and
the economy. Should we wish to make the Madrasa part of the mainstream
general education, we must consider this matter of reforming Madrasa
education carefully. The
students now graduating from the Madrasas are not capable of running
either the economic sector or the administrative sector of a country
successfully. These students have neither studied Business Administration
nor Economics nor Political Science/Government nor Public Administration.
We can resolve this problem and improve the situation in the Alia Madrasa
(one of the two types of Madrasas in Bangladesh) by introducing three
additional options / degrees along with the existing four degrees (Kamils)
at the graduation level. Out of the total sixteen years’ curriculum, we
can keep the first twelve years curriculum more or less intact and
introduce new subjects into the course curriculum for the last four years
(Fazil and Kamil courses). The existing degrees of Tafsir, Hadith, Fiqh
and Adab may remain. We have to introduce three-four more degrees at the
Kamil level (15th and 16th year of study) notably Economics, Business
Administration, and Public Administration. This means, in the first twelve
years, students will acquire knowledge of Islam in the same way as before
and in the later four years they will study
contemporary subjects such as Economics or Business Administration or
Public Administration to fulfil requirements for the Kamil degree. If we
can conduct this project of revision successfully,
the Madarasas should become capable of producing persons skilled in
knowledges of both worlds and hence better able to serve their country and
the Muslim community.
The Qaumi Madrasas (the Madrasas that follow the Deobond regimen), in the
same way, confer degrees on Fiqh, Hadith, Tafsir and Arabic Language, and
the degree is called Dawra. We should introduce at least two more Dawras,
notably Dawra-e-Iqtesad and Dawra-e-Business
Administration. The course curriculum of the first twelve years here too
may remain unchanged. The new Dawras would be added to the course content
for the last four years only. If we are able to introduce these two new
subjects in the curriculum of the Qaumi Madrasas, these educational
institutions will also produce eminent Alims who shall be simultaneously
capable of fulfilling the general economic and administrative needs of the
societ. If we can make these changes, we shall be well on our way towards
unifying the madrasa and the modern educational systems.
Another problem the Muslim Ummah is facing is that of extremism or
radicalism. Islam certainly does not propound the way of extremism, but
that of the middle-path or the balanced path
Some twenty years following the death of Prophet Muhammad (peace and
blessings be upon him), the Khawarij emerged as a radical current among
the earlier Muslims. Extremist in religious
belief and political thinking, the Khawarij were rejected by the
mainstream of the Ummah. Even today, there are religious groups that adopt
extreme views on socio-political and religious issues.
We must be very cautious about these extremist groups and make Muslims
aware of their activities so that the Muslim Ummah may be protected from
the negative effects of the extremist approach. Extremism thrives when
people become preoccupied with very small matters, minor and side issues,
ignoring or neglecting the fundamental issues. Such a problem arises when
we fail to derive lessons from history and do not possess sufficient
knowledge and understanding of the Shariah and other related subjects.
There is no doubt that the welfare of the Ummah lies in avoiding the
extreme path. Extremism has led to the suffering of Muslims in different
countries around the world.(Reference:Islamic Awakening between Rejection
and Extremism by Dr. Qaradawi)
The social condition of women is another key issue. Many eminent Alims and
Islamic scholars have spoken about the rights of women. We can mention
here the names of a few who have spoken with particular eloquence and
insight on this issue, such as Prof. Dr. Yusuf Al Qaradawi, Dean of the
Faculty of Shariah, Qatar University; Dr. Jamal A. Badwi, Chairman,
Islamic Information Foundation, Canada; Sheikh Abdul Halim Abu Shuqqah,
eminent leader of the Ikhwanul Muslimeen (the Muslim Brotherhood of
Egypt); Dr. Hasan Turabi, ideologue of the Sudanese Islamic Movement, to
name only a few. They have argued that Muslims cannot advance unless women
are given the honor and support due to them. It is not possible to make
progress leaving behind half of the members of the society. They have
therefore stressed the importance of involving women in an entire range of
Islamic activities and ensuring that
the various rights of women are practiced and protected. While women can
clearly acquire a great deal of knowledge about Islam through attending
mosques, some people continue to debate the rights of women to attend
mosques. We should, therefore, try to understand and seriously consider
the various problems faced by women today and the Alims should take an
initiative in aiding women so that the latter can move forward.
Misinterpretation is another problem looming before us. Large numbers of
translations of the Quran and Hadith compilation are available in the
market today. Naturally people read them and many questions arise on
different issues in the minds of these readers, who then become inclined
to respond to these questions themselves even though these readers are not
well versed in the underlying principles and and methods of interpretation
(Usul). Those who want to judiciously interpret the Quran and Hadith must,
therefore, acquire knowledge of the Usul al Fiqh. They have to read books
on Usul al Fiqh that are accessible to the lay public. High-quality
authentic books on the subject need to be translated in local languages
from Arabic and circulated and publicized widely. The teachings of such
books must be disseminated to all those who intend to study Islam from the
original sources and cultivate the capacity of interpretation. Otherwise,
individual efforts to interpret will create confusion within the polity,
particularly by those who try to interpret by reading translations alone.
The Alims need to pay attention to this matter and help disseminate the
knowledge of Usul.
Likewise, we should also try to bring an end to the debate over democracy.
We know that there is no place for dictatorship or autocracy or monarchy
in Islam. The vast majority of Islamic parties and movements around the
world are struggling for democratic rights today. They consider election
as the most legitimate instrument to effect changes in government. They
demand legal rights so that they can participate in the fruits of civic
and political rights. If any restriction is imposed on the functioning of
Islamic parties, they turn to the law and file petitions with the Court so
that they are allowed to function as a legitimate and law -abiding
organization. During the days of unified Pakistan, one political party was
banned. That party fought a long legal battle all the way up to the
Supreme Court of Pakistan where it won its case. In other words, this
Islamic party determinedly sought to secure its democratic right to
function as a legal political party.
Islamic parties in different countries are trying to reform the government
by participating in democratic elections. All eminent Islamic political
scientists think that subject to the sovereignty
of Allah, democracy constitutes an adequate method for establishing an
Islamic state. The modern democratic process, in fact, can be understood
to be an elaboration of the principles of Shura and Khilafah. What is the
Khilafah? Khilafah means representation. It means a beneficial,
consultative government of the people through representation of the
Divine. We are all vicegerents (Khalifh) of Allah and must understand that
when we talk of democracy, we mean government under the suzerainty of
Allah and through consultation with the people. What I am hinting at here
is Islamic Democracy. This concept does not cohere completely with the
model of Western democracy but the two do have common ground. If this
concept is not clarififed, some people are likely to provide opportunities
for dictatorial parties to seize power. This will benefit the enemies of
Islam. All the Alims of Pakistan supported Fatima Jinnah against the
candidacy of Field Marshal Ayub Khan in the 1965 presidential elections on
account of her promise to restore democracy. Regrettably, some of us tend
to have very short memories indeed and are now adopting extreme positions
against the consensus of the Islamic scholars and Alims of the past. Such
a move will undoubtedly cause much harm in the long run.
[Translation of the speech delivered before the major Ulama of Bangladesh
from among the members of the Shariah Council of various Islamic banks.
The function was organized by the ‘Central Shariah Board of Islamic Banks
of Bangladesh in Dhaka on 4th March in 2003]. |