UNGS 2030 – INTRODUCTION TO ISLAMIC WORLDVIEW: STUDY OF SELECTED

ESSENTIALS
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SUMMARY OF CHAPTER 1

ISLAMIC WORLDVIEW (IWV) : GLIMPSES ON STUDIES AND

DEFINITIONS

 GLIMPSES ON THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE IWV

STUDIES
 DEFINITION OF THE IWV
• AL- TAWHID AS A KEY ELEMENT IN THE DEFINITION AND
CONCEPTUALIZATION OF THE IWV
• DEFINITION AND CONCEPTUALIZATION
• A COLLECTIVE VISION OF LIFE AND VICEGERENCY
• A COMPREHENSIVE STRUCTURE OF INTEGRATED
KNOWLEDGE
• A VISION OF LIFE AND PERFECTION
• A MANIFESTATIONS OF RELIGION, STATE, SOCIETY AND
CIVILISATION

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 GLIMPSES ON THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE IWV

STUDIES

The study made in the present is only devoted to deal with the development of
the concept of worldview within the Islamic tradition and context due to:

1. There is a shortage of studies on the development of 'worldview' from

both historical and conceptual perspectives within the Islamic context
- no specific discipline and no specific branch of knowledge called '
worldview studies'

2. There is no specific branch of research that deals with the historical

development of the concept of worldview in contemporary Islamic efforts
− the major works did not discuss worldview historical development and
conceptual construction but focus mainly on the issues and topics; eg:
Islam, Iman , Ihsan, God,man, life, vicegerency, etc.
− There were specific attempts under such a field called IWV studies after
the appearance of certain specific works such as the work of Sayyid Qutb
on the 'Characteristics of IWV'
− Most of the scholars have provided many ideas and insights on IWV
multifaceted aspects
− Another group of scholars dealt directly with the issues of IWV but not
with its inception and development as a concept and a separate field
 − These have shown the extent and attention given by Muslim scholars to
research on this area but the works only dealt with worldview issues in
general terms, rather than systematic and objective inquiry in worldview

*Thus, there is a need to develop more comprehensive approaches to the study

of worldview in a well organized body of research.

 DEFINITION OF THE IWV

• AL- TAWHID AS A KEY ELEMENT IN THE DEFINITION AND

CONCEPTUALIZATION OF THE IWV
− Unity of God as a vision of existence and vicegerency
− core of IWV, without; Islam loses its originality and dynamism
− al-Tawhid is a general overview of reality, of truth, of the world, of space
and time of human history and destiny
− any definition and conceptualization of the IWV should revolve around al-
Tawhid and its implications to belief and life
− IWV emanates from the belief based on life and existence came into
being as a result of the will, desire and design of the One and Only
Creator

• DEFINITION AND CONCEPTUALIZATION

PROF NAQUIB AL-ATTAS
− inseparable link between the seen and unseen aspects and between the
present world realities and the hereafter ones

i) the IWV deals mainly with existence in its totality which includes the seen
and unseen worlds;
ii) the IWV vision is a metaphysical survey and revealed knowledge that aspires
towards clearing towards clearing the confusion and setting the truths about
existence;
iii) the non-dialectical nature of the IWV and non-historicity of its source which
is revealed as complete and comprehensive text providing clear and profound
interpretations about the truth of existence

− firmly stresses on the metaphysical of IWV

PROF CHOUDHURY
− emphasizes both the divine sources ie Quran and the process-orientation
of unified knowledge which is derived from the divine source of IWV as
well as the intellectual processes required in its construction in light of
the revealed word of God
− result of the Muslim's endeavour to construct his vision of reality in light
of the revealed word of God
− the IWV come as a result of the Muslim mind's interaction with the world
realities in light of the teachings of the Quran and the practices of
Prophet Muhammad

MURTAZA MUTAHHARI
 − worldview is our vision of the world, but by its nature is not the product of
our feelings and emotions rather it is the result of our thoughts and
speculations;
− relates to the well-known question of knowledge; exclusively human
property as opposed to feeling, which man shares with other animals;
− world knowledge is exclusive to man and is a function of his reflection
and intellection

ALPARSLAN
− worldview is the mental framework is the totality of concepts and mental
attitude developed by the individual throughout his life;
− the ultimate foundation of all human conduct

PROF MOHD KAMAL HASSAN

− the IWV is a comprehensive conception of the universe and man's
relation to it from the Islamic perspective
− emphasizes on the Islamic perspective and one's philosophy or outlook of
life
− Islam becomes the permanent reference and source from which the
Muslim seeks guidance and direct his intellectual efforts and ijtihad

MUHSIEN ABDULHAMID
- IWV is the Islamic perception on issues pertaining to the Universe and Its
Creator, Prophethood, society, man, hereafter as opposed to other
worldviews that address the same issues but from their stand perspective

• A VISION OF LIFE AND PERFECTION

CONCEPT OF IWV:
1. Collective Ummatic nature of IWV
2. Posits and deals with exisstence in its totality: seen and unseen worlds
3. Result of the Muslim interaction with life and reality in accordance with
the teachings of Islam
4. IWV provides the necessary guidance for the Muslim to outrival in his
objectives in this world and in hereafter ie Khilafah

• A COMPREHENSIVE STRUCTURE OF INTEGRATED KNOWLEDGE

− IWV is a comprehensive integrated and consistent structure of knowledge
pertaining to the realms of the seen and unseen;
− it is essential and vital for both man's understanding of himself and his
surroundings as well as success in his mission as a vicegerent of God and
conveyer of the revealed guidance to humankind

• A VISION OF LIFE AND PERFECTION

ASPECTS OF IWV:
i) tells man about the cosmos and cosmollogical truths and patterns;
ii) explains the epistemological rules and principles that need to be considered
while dealing with issues of existence and life;
iii) explains theological matters pertaining to the belief system and matters of
faith and worship;
iv) explains the ethical system necessary for balance and stability in human
life;
v) provides legal and legislative injunctions for the running of human affairs
and judging of human acts;
vi) provides man with a civilisational vision so as to assist him to achieve
excellent and perfection in his endeavours;
vii) ''everything that happens in the world does so by His commands, by His
action''

* IWV is a structure of integrated knowledge and a vision of life that offers man
the necessary knowledge and orientation required in his endeavours as a
vicegerent of God on Earth

• A MANIFESTATIONS OF RELIGION, SOCIETY, STATE, AND

CIVILISATION
− entails and systematically integrates the religious, social, state and
civilisational aspects of life

RELIGION
− Islam is a way of life which encompasses issues related to belief and
social systematic
− Islam as a religion includes a perfect ethical and moral system

SOCIETY
− IWV as a society is meant to construct a balanced human society, which
stands for equality and justice among the differences races living therein

STATE
− the practices and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad including the
constitution of Madinah and his international relations activities and the
practices of the 4 guided caliphs show the importance of state and
government within the IWV context

CIVILISATION
− IWV also is considered as the cementing power behind the construction
of the Islamic civilisations by:
I) constructing a good Muslim personality
ii) contributing in scientific and intelllectual development
UNGS 2030 – INTRODUCTION TO ISLAMIC WORLDVIEW: STUDY OF SELECTED
ESSENTIALS
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SUMMARY OF CHAPTER 3

WORLDVIEW: OBJECTIVES, KINDS AND APPROACHES

 OBJECTIVES OF WORLDVIEW
 KINDS OF WORLDVIEW
 APPROACHES: SCIENTIFIC, PHILOSOPHICAL AND RELIGIOUS

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 OBJECTIVES OF WORLDVIEW
− gives a basis, or a perspective, from which we can analyze, categorize,
and synthesize data enabling us to make sense of our existence
− help us to integrate the facts into a meaningful whole
− basis for making life's decisions
− enable man to possess:
I) a model of the world
ii) ability to explain and answer the qustions
iii) ability to answer the question
iv) ability to see through good and bad values and answer the question
v) ability to know how to act properly
vi) ability to construct proper knowledge about existence and truth
vii) ability to develop worldview

 KINDS OF WORLDVIEW

- existence of many approaches and classifications of worldviews

 − distinction between the revelation based worldview wherein the text is
preserved and man-made worldviews which have an inclination towards
moral and ethical foundations
− there are also worldviews which incline to scientific basis, philosophically
oriented, focus on ideological, political, linguistic and other foundations
− the interpretations and answers provided by the followers of each
worldview that distiguish it from other worldviews
− a good worldview should provide logical, rational, and objective historical
and civilisational evidences for its abilities to offer man a more
meaningful vision and instill in him a sense of purpose

 APPROACHES: SCIENTIFIC, PHILOSOPHICAL AND RELIGIOUS

− science and philosophy are more like methods and approaches to tackle
problems and issues; also they more like tools and techniques of inquiry
that assist in developing worldviews and answering its questions
− some other schools of thought prefer to approach worldview from a more
religious perspective following the methods and tools of religious analysis
− Islam, because of its original, preserved and complete word of God that
offers a cosmic and all-encompassing worldview, provides a real religious
worldview and not only religious approach to worldview

• SCIENTIFIC APPROACH TO WORLDVIEW

- reason and its rationalistic paradigm is the God of Scientific Inquiry

MAIN PRINCIPALS:
1. empiricism in which all issues under discussion should undergo the test
of experimental and empirical requirements
2. rationalism wherein reason and human intellect assumes he position and
role of the controller interpretation
3. skepticism where one should assume that any knowledge, fact or belief is
subject to scientific questioning

METHOD OF SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY

1. identifying the problem through observation and use of senses
2. proposing hypotheses and assumptions that could explain the problem
posed
3. collecting the data and information
4. testing the hypotheses and identifying the correct one and the bias one
5. providing interpretation with evidence
6. generating interpretations
7. developing scientifec theory
8. establishing scientific laws and facts
* based on the principal of skepticism, the facts are questionable bacause of
the advancement in science and technological discoveries

IMPORTANT ELEMENTS:
1. exactitude and precise nature of the scientific approach
2. confines it to physical realities that can be observed and subjected to
empirical and experimental conditions
 • PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACH TO WORDVIEW
− wider than scientific approach as it extends its coverage to the met-
physical matters as well as the physical ones
− focuses more on logical reasoning and speculative methods
− inquiry upon self-evident and self-proven premises and principals of logic
and mind
− among the main tools are deduction, analogy, syllogism, logical
induction, etc
− Mutahhari argues that despite it lacks the preciness of SWV, it enjoys an
assurance and none of the instability of SWV
− unlike science, philosophy is capable of giving man a worldview as the
foundation of ideology
− it perceives the universe as a whole and in a more comprehensive way

DIFFERENCES OF APPROACHES TO WV
SCIENTIFIC ASPECTS PHILOSOPHY
High EXACTITUDE AND Low for the very reason of the
PRECISENESS methods and tools used in each
sphere of inquiry
Less changes due to the nature of STABILITY More stable in terms of its
scientific inquiry which is attached conclusion and interpretation for the
more to the physical realities, very reason of its reliance on the
senses control and continuos oremise of logic and laws of the
advancement in the tools and mind
techniques of inquiry
Revolves and concerns itself with NATURE AND Bears heavily on the study of met-
the progressive advancement within INCEPTION physical matters and horizon
the confines and limits of the
physical world
Less acceptable MEANING AND More acceptable
PURPOSE
Looks for more human success and INDICATOR Perceives it in term of happiness,
achievement in material and wisdom, justice, and virtue terms
technological terms

• RELIGIOUS APPROACH TO WORLDVIEW

− divided into two; revealed and man-made

− provides a more comprehensive vision
− more human in nature and emanates from the human mind's effort and
interaction with the physical and meta-physical phenomena
− entails most of the ultimate questions pertaining to the realms of seen
and unseen
 − characterized by its stability and generality
− insists on the need for strong evidences and proofs for its truth and
teachings
− imparts meaning to life
− links the present human conditions with those of the future as well as
with the realities of hereafter in a more meaningful and strong away

 Materialism: Example of an Extreme Western Worldview

− referred to as naturalism or scientific materialism that denies the

existence of any supra-natural being or supra-intelligent mind or creator
− the only reality that is real and possible is this physical reality
− entire existence is confined and reduced to what one sees in this worldis

MAIN PRINCIPLES:
1. matter/ energy is all there for eternity and no supernatural God exists in
reality
2. the universe is a closed system which functions only by cause and effect
3. man is a 'machine' whose personality and thinking are merely a result of
matter's properties
4. human death is merely the ceasing of biological life, including the
extinction of personality
5. there are no terms like ethics, values, morality in dictionary of
materialism
6. history is an unrepeated line of events related by cause and effect,
without a real purpose and no goal to which it is heading