10. A Blueprint for Action
In order to launch the above-mentioned intellectual movement, the
following two steps must be taken immediately.
First, an institution of mass propagation should be established that not
only invites people to renew their faith and reform their lives, but also
provides training and mentoring for the intellectual and moral
development of those who respond to its call. In addition, it should
elucidate the significance of the requisite scholarly work to those who
are sincerely aspiring for the renaissance of Islam, as well as identify
such bright and talented individuals who may be willing to dedicate
their lives for this purpose.
Finding such individuals, however, seems like a virtual impossibility at
first glance. This age of ours is characterized by a pervasive domination
of materialism and the love of this-world; in addition, the challenge of
earning a livelihood has become so acute that most people are forced to
invest all of their abilities and energies in order to afford the basic
necessities of life. The general trend of society is such that those who
rise above this level immediately become obsessed with continuously
raising their standards of living. Despite these impediments, the fact
remains that the world is never bereft of wholesome and pure souls that
are untainted by worldly ambitions. Consequently, if only a few sincere
and resolute individuals were to embark on this mission with a single-
minded devotion, they are—God willing—sure to find in the same
materialistic society many young individuals with brilliant minds and
exceptional talents, individuals who would devote their lives to the
learning and teaching of Qur’anic knowledge. Their lives would thus
embody the Prophetic saying “the best among you are those who learn
and teach the Qur’an.”
The only essential prerequisite for undertaking any momentous task is
a strong inner motivation that develops under the influence of a
particular thought or feeling. Once such an urge or desire is awakened
in a person’s heart, it becomes a force in its own right that is able to
create the appropriate ways and means for its own realization. A
motivation that emerges from within is also able to meet and overcome
any number of impediments and challenges that might arise in its path.
All that is really needed, therefore, is to propagate the idea that a
powerful intellectual movement is essential for bringing about the
renaissance of Islam. Once a strong sense of its necessity has taken root,
there is no reason why such a noble and exalted aspiration would fail to
attract the requisite human resources.
Second, a Qur’anic academy should be established that undertakes the
teaching and dissemination of Qur’anic knowledge on a mass scale, so
that the light of divine revelation illuminates the society at large and
that people come to appreciate the majesty and glory of the revealed
Word. At the same time, the academy should arrange for the education,
training, and mentoring of young individuals so as to equip them with
the necessary expertise in modern disciplines as well as direct
acquaintance with the Holy Qur’an. This, in turn, will pave the way for
undertaking the academic tasks mentioned above.
The most important outcome of the teaching and dissemination of Qur’
anic knowledge on a mass scale will be as follows: people’s attentions
will come to focus upon the Holy Qur’an; their intellects will be
impressed by its unmatched power; and their hearts will once again fall
in love with its ayat. In short, there will be a general attitude of respect
and reverence, as well as devotion and dedication, towards the revealed
Scripture. Inevitably, a large number of young individuals with brilliant
minds and exceptional talents will also become “introduced” to the Holy
Qur’an, in the real sense of the word. There is every reason to hope that a
substantial number of such individuals will come to recognize the true
worth and value of the Holy Qur’an, and that this recognition will
motivate them to spend their lives acquiring and propagating its
knowledge and wisdom.
The primary function of the proposed academy would be the education
and guidance of such individuals. To execute this function, Arabic
language will be taught on sound foundations, with the aim of
developing in the students a deep appreciation for the language as well
as a refined taste in classical literature. They will then go over the entire
text of the Qur’an in a formal academic setting, while also undertaking
the study of Hadith, Fiqh, and Usul al-Fiqh.
Subsequently, those with an aptitude for philosophy and theology will be
able to offer a cogent critique of modern philosophical trends in the light
of the Holy Qur’an, as well as to lay down the foundations for a modern
philosophical theology or kalam. Those inclined towards the various
fields of social sciences will be able to present the guidance of Islam
concerning the different spheres of human life at the highest
intellectual level.
In order to launch the above-mentioned intellectual movement, the
following two steps must be taken immediately.
First, an institution of mass propagation should be established that not
only invites people to renew their faith and reform their lives, but also
provides training and mentoring for the intellectual and moral
development of those who respond to its call. In addition, it should
elucidate the significance of the requisite scholarly work to those who
are sincerely aspiring for the renaissance of Islam, as well as identify
such bright and talented individuals who may be willing to dedicate
their lives for this purpose.
Finding such individuals, however, seems like a virtual impossibility at
first glance. This age of ours is characterized by a pervasive domination
of materialism and the love of this-world; in addition, the challenge of
earning a livelihood has become so acute that most people are forced to
invest all of their abilities and energies in order to afford the basic
necessities of life. The general trend of society is such that those who
rise above this level immediately become obsessed with continuously
raising their standards of living. Despite these impediments, the fact
remains that the world is never bereft of wholesome and pure souls that
are untainted by worldly ambitions. Consequently, if only a few sincere
and resolute individuals were to embark on this mission with a single-
minded devotion, they are—God willing—sure to find in the same
materialistic society many young individuals with brilliant minds and
exceptional talents, individuals who would devote their lives to the
learning and teaching of Qur’anic knowledge. Their lives would thus
embody the Prophetic saying “the best among you are those who learn
and teach the Qur’an.”
The only essential prerequisite for undertaking any momentous task is
a strong inner motivation that develops under the influence of a
particular thought or feeling. Once such an urge or desire is awakened
in a person’s heart, it becomes a force in its own right that is able to
create the appropriate ways and means for its own realization. A
motivation that emerges from within is also able to meet and overcome
any number of impediments and challenges that might arise in its path.
All that is really needed, therefore, is to propagate the idea that a
powerful intellectual movement is essential for bringing about the
renaissance of Islam. Once a strong sense of its necessity has taken root,
there is no reason why such a noble and exalted aspiration would fail to
attract the requisite human resources.
Second, a Qur’anic academy should be established that undertakes the
teaching and dissemination of Qur’anic knowledge on a mass scale, so
that the light of divine revelation illuminates the society at large and
that people come to appreciate the majesty and glory of the revealed
Word. At the same time, the academy should arrange for the education,
training, and mentoring of young individuals so as to equip them with
the necessary expertise in modern disciplines as well as direct
acquaintance with the Holy Qur’an. This, in turn, will pave the way for
undertaking the academic tasks mentioned above.
The most important outcome of the teaching and dissemination of Qur’
anic knowledge on a mass scale will be as follows: people’s attentions
will come to focus upon the Holy Qur’an; their intellects will be
impressed by its unmatched power; and their hearts will once again fall
in love with its ayat. In short, there will be a general attitude of respect
and reverence, as well as devotion and dedication, towards the revealed
Scripture. Inevitably, a large number of young individuals with brilliant
minds and exceptional talents will also become “introduced” to the Holy
Qur’an, in the real sense of the word. There is every reason to hope that a
substantial number of such individuals will come to recognize the true
worth and value of the Holy Qur’an, and that this recognition will
motivate them to spend their lives acquiring and propagating its
knowledge and wisdom.
The primary function of the proposed academy would be the education
and guidance of such individuals. To execute this function, Arabic
language will be taught on sound foundations, with the aim of
developing in the students a deep appreciation for the language as well
as a refined taste in classical literature. They will then go over the entire
text of the Qur’an in a formal academic setting, while also undertaking
the study of Hadith, Fiqh, and Usul al-Fiqh.
Subsequently, those with an aptitude for philosophy and theology will be
able to offer a cogent critique of modern philosophical trends in the light
of the Holy Qur’an, as well as to lay down the foundations for a modern
philosophical theology or kalam. Those inclined towards the various
fields of social sciences will be able to present the guidance of Islam
concerning the different spheres of human life at the highest
intellectual level.
Islamic Renaissance
The Real Task Ahead
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. The Pervasive Ascendancy of
Western Thought
2. The Fundamental Point of View
3. Political and Intellectual Onslaught
of the West on the Islamic World
4. Early Defensive Attempts and their
Outcome
5. The Development of the Social
Sciences
6. The Conception of an "Islamic
System" and the Twentieth Century
Islamic Movements
7. The Shortcoming in the Revivalist
Interpretation of Islam
8. Renewal of Faith: The Precondition of
Islamic Renaissance
9. The Real Task Ahead
10. A Blue Print for Action
Quotes and Insights
Bibliography
Introduction
1. The Pervasive Ascendancy of
Western Thought
2. The Fundamental Point of View
3. Political and Intellectual Onslaught
of the West on the Islamic World
4. Early Defensive Attempts and their
Outcome
5. The Development of the Social
Sciences
6. The Conception of an "Islamic
System" and the Twentieth Century
Islamic Movements
7. The Shortcoming in the Revivalist
Interpretation of Islam
8. Renewal of Faith: The Precondition of
Islamic Renaissance
9. The Real Task Ahead
10. A Blue Print for Action
Quotes and Insights
Bibliography
