By MMN,
New Delhi: Islamic Fiqh Academy (India) organized a national seminar on “Islamic Thought: Introduction, History and its Role in the Reconstruction of Ummah” in collaboration with Dr Zakir Husain Institute of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, at the institute’s conference hall. This one-day seminar derived participation of a cross section of experts and academics who delved on the history and context of Islamic thought in resolving the present day thought crises of the world.
Professor Yusuful Amin, Aligarh Muslim University, inaugurated the seminar and stated that western sciences have generally led to the prevalence of a thought that challenges the authority of God and causes environmental degradation and that Islamic thought presents convincing solution to these contemporary problems. He argued that Islamic thought accepts the importance of observation and experimentation in the development of human thought and gives emphasis on a transcendentalist paradigm for understanding the reality. He stated that non-Muslims can contribute in the development of Islamic thought but their authority cannot be accepted in the field. He also suggested that the ideas of Shah Waliullah should be taken as a model for the development of future Islamic thought.
Dr Akhtarul Wasey, the National Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities, made it evident in his presidential remarks of the inaugural session that science does not necessarily alienate scientists from God, as could be noted from the personal belief of many eminent scientists and Nobel laureates. He emphasized that Muslim religious experience in India can be a model for reconstruction of the community, as it has lived here all the three kinds of life, as rulers, as ruled and now as co-rulers. Professor Wasey argued that Muslims should demolish the British inspired dualism of religious education which separates education from the development of vocational competence.
The chief guest of the seminar and president of Universal Knowledge Trust, Abdul Rashid Agwan, expressed the opinion that the contemporary Muslim thought mainly manifests either reaction to the Western thought or an imitative approach to it and thus calls for rediscovery of its nature course, which can be ensured by the development of proper competence among scholars while applying three tools; namely, deep understanding and mastery on the contemporary knowledge, proficiency in English apart from Arabic and then reflective interpretation of Islamic sources in the wake of contemporary crises.
Maulana Ejaz Ahmad Aslam, secretary Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, was another chief guest of the program who said that the theme of the seminar has great significance for the reconstruction of Ummah and a balanced approach should be developed by applying Islamic thought in both religious and mundane affairs.
While welcoming the delegates, Dr Mohammad Ishaq, professor in Islamic studies at the Jamia, elucidated that Islamic thought is evolutionary in nature due to the interface of both the divine and human intellect. He said that Muslims have learned from many civilizations in developing Islamic thought during the past ages and the practice of Taqlid (Imitation) started emerging in Islamic thought by the fourth century Hijrah onwards, which became consolidated only during later periods.
As the organizer of the seminar, the secretary of Islamic Fiqh Academy Maulana Amin Usmani thanked the participants and hoped that the seminar would have stimulated the attending scholars to work more attentively for making the Islamic thought relevant enough to meet the present and future needs of Ummah.
Many scholars contributed their papers and views in different sessions of the seminar including Dr Yusuful Amin, professor Ubaidullah Fahad and Dr Ziauddin Malik of Aligarh Muslim University; Dr Junaid Haris, Dr Farida Khanam, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Tijarvi, Maulana Zubair Nadvi and Dr Shahid Ali of Jamia Millia Islamia; and independent scholars Dr Waqarul Anwar Abdul Rashid Agwan and Dr Gitrif Abbas Nadvi.
Salam to all,
It seems Islam is sitting in a corner of a dark room containing few Scholars. Though as Holy Prophet Mohammed MSAS foretold of emergence of 73 Sects among Muslims at the end time, the population of Muslims has grown to 2.4 Billion in world .
it is the high time to talk aloud that islam does not base on ISIS but
on the true teaching of Holy Quran containing order of ALLAH SWT &
guidance of Holy prophet Mohammed MSAS. There are many English Muslim Scholars in west why they were not invited including Dr.Zakir Nayak.
Holy Quran contains the guidance to mankind including the sign & science & therefore the knowledge of Holy Quran Must be imparted
in all academic level in order that Muslim achieves perfection in their
day to day living & not enticed to move or sell the faith for a few dollers in India or else where.
Islam is the only acceptable Religion with ALLAH SWT & this must be
basic concrete lesson to all mankind whether they accept or reject .
Thank You.