Intellectual Discourse (Journal)
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Preaching and the epistemological enforcement of ‘ulamā’ authority: The sermons of Muhammad Mitwallī Sha'rāwī
Get PDFThe changes that have taken place during the modern era have threatened the overall authority of the ‘ulamā’ as transmitters of knowledge. The ‘ulamā’ nevertheless retained their status by adapting their past discursive forms. Based upon interviews and content analysis, this study found that the ‘ulamā’ in Egypt continue to use the medium of preaching as a means of instructing the public. They still interpret the Qur’ān and ḥadīth to bring forth new responses, ones attuned to their particular environment. Additionally, ‘ulamā’ communications to the believing public have become the texts of suitability, which represent continuation and adaptation, or textual traditions melded with the present concerns of adherents. One Egyptian ‘ālim preacher, Muhammad Mitwallī Sha‘rāwī, relied on his authority as a man of knowledge engaged with the past Islamic interpretive understanding to demonstrate the necessity of the religious specialist in his sermons to the people. He needed to reiterate the necessity of his expertise because many social and political forces were threatening his authority during his lifetime
The relevance of Prophet Muhammad's life and teachings in an insecure, fragile world. By A. R. Momin
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A return to the Qur’ānic paradigm of development and integrated knowledge: The Ulū al-Albāb model
Get PDFThe paper highlights that the secular and modernistic paradigm of development that lacks spiritual and ethical moorings is partly responsible for the 2009 global economic and financial crisis. Muslim policy-makers, intellectuals and scholars are duty-bound to promote the Tawḥīdic paradigm of holistic development and holistic knowledge. Closely related to the paradigm of development is the issue of the epistemology of autonomous human reason which denies the importance and validity of Divine revelation as a higher source of knowledge and wisdom. The Qur’ān projects the model of the Ulū al-Albāb, “people of sound reason” as intellectuals and scholars par excellence who combine the understanding of the Book of Nature with the Book of Revelation, and integrate human reason with Divine revelation. The paper ends by suggesting that Muslim countries develop institutions of learning or systems of education which integrates worldly knowledge with religious knowledge in a harmonious and symbiotic manner
Stoning for Adultery in Christianity and Islam and its Implementation in Contemporary Muslim Societies
Get PDFAbstract: This paper examines the scriptural bases of stoning for adultery in the two sister religions and its implementation in contemporary Muslim societies. Based upon archival and documentary research, this study found that stoning to death for adultery is prescribed in both the Bible and the Qur’ān. Christians, however, have abandoned this law and it is no longer practiced in any Christian-dominant country. With the expansion of Western imperialism, the same trend seems to be taking place in Muslim societies. There are a few Muslim countries that are trying to implement this law but they face a good deal of criticism from the Western media and other secular organizations, consequently, shying away from implementing this punishment in public