Insight Islamicus

Shah-i-Hamadan Institute of Islamic Studies

University of Kashmir

ISSN: 0975-6590

The paper attempts at deciphering the purpose and role of education in Islamic world-view. Relating the developments in the field to the modern times has thrown up serious challenges to the survival and development of its brilliant legacy. Modernism developed in the course of post-Renaissance philosophy led the whole civilizational development of man on the basis of positivist philosophy. Development of science and technology, though inherited by the West from the Islamic world, took a different turn and created the so-called scientific temper and man’s insistence on knowing the Truth from the empirical method only. His senses, ratio and reason are sufficient to guide him, not only know the reality but to manage himself and the world to the development of the best after best. Materialism, capitalism, communism, socialism, hedonism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, globalization are some of the fruits of this thinking. Ecological Crisis, Economic Recession, Big gaps between rich and poor, continued existence of conflict spots, wars, terrorism, disinformation campaigns, too should be owned up by the upholders of this civilization. Energy crisis, pollution, loss of meaning, Postmodernism has only added to the frustrations of the modern man. That crisis is overwhelming and no solutions are in sight for the modern man has put up serious challenge and opportunity for the Ummah of Islam to delve deep into their ethos and come up with authentic and moderate solutions to the crisis. The paper shall elaborate some critical measures, which can help the modern man overcome the crisis and lead a life which is fulfilling not only in this world but brings God’s grace, hence salvation in the hereafter. Islamic education shall marshal the spiritual domain of one’s personality to dominate his bestial self with full utilization of his sensory, rational and experiential capabilities. Same has to be the treatment to the society and the humanity in general. Muslim communities have to develop necessary intellectual capabilities to convince the modern man to moderate his worldview. By developing a transcendental world view, Muslims can build up bridges across authentic traditions for developing a universal model of balanced education where man’s self, society, state and globe is relooked from the divine perspectives, a legacy of religions, last of all authentically nurtured and continued by the Islamic Ummah.

The foundation of fiqh was laid during the Prophet‟s (S.A.A.W.S) lifetime. Then, during the time of the Ṣaḥābah (Prophet‟s Companions), it began to develop and take shape. It flourished in the years that followed. When various subjects/branches of Islamic knowledge assumed independent identities and their subject matters were compiled, codified, and organized toward the end of the second century hijrī, fiqh and fiqh sciences also assumed their independent identity and area of concern, which covers all issues related to Islamic law (rituals, personal law, business law, civil law, criminal law, international relations, etc.). From that time until now, mujtahids, jurists (fuqahā’), and scholars have rendered countless services to this discipline, and books of high quality on every aspect of fiqh and jurisprudence have come into existence. This process is still going on and will be so in the future. The majority of books on the subject of fiqh and uṣūl al-fiqh were written exclusively in Arabic and a few books were available in Persian. It is only recently that many books have been translated from Arabic into English, Urdu, and other languages. Furthermore, in this modern era, various original research studies both in Urdu and English have been conducted in this area. In this regard, Prof. Imran Ahsan Khan Nyazee, a prominent author and specialist in both traditional and modern law has worked extremely effectively in the fields of fiqh and jurisprudence and produced a number of both original and translated books on the subject. In light of his book “Islamic Jurisprudence (Uṣūl al-Fiqh)”, the current paper aims to discuss his contributions to fiqh and fiqh sciences.

Philosophy is an endeavor of the pursuit of truth peculiar to human beings due to our sophisticated consciousness and the enduring soul bestowed on us by the Creator. Academically, Philosophy is called the mother of all sciences as most disciplines were taught /studied under this discipline. Philosophy of Science is a recent subject that helps us to determine what the basics of today‟s modern empirical science and its methodology entail. It also elaborates the difference between factual experimental natural sciences and pseudoscience. Islam has always encouraged believers to pursue science with a lofty purpose. God is the center of everything Islamic which includes the study of natural phenomena as signposts toward the Absolute Being. In the Paper we are going to discuss the meaning of Philosophy, its branches, Islamic approach to philosophy and sciences

The madāris of South Asia and Kashmir face many challenges, particularly with regard to their curricula, textbooks, role in society, social work, financial matters, administration, intellectual development, and education of women. The curriculum of the madāris, despite being very extensive and sound, needs some reform and modification in the context of the present age. In fact, many academics from the Indo-Pak subcontinent, Africa, and the Arab world have worked hard in this direction. It is in this backdrop that the present paper makes an effort to highlight the main contribution of the madāris, particularly in terms of advancing a society that embodies spirituality and high moral and intellectual standards. The paper also covers a wide range of topics related to the relevance of the madāris in today‟s modern world in fostering a peaceful, amicable, and prosperous society. The paper goes into great detail about the curriculum of the madāris and the reforms and modifications that must be made in light of the modern era, as well as the adoption of contemporary tools and technology in their educational system