Issues in Contemporary Islamic Thought

by Taha Jabir Al-Alwani

This collection of papers presents a reformist project calling upon Muslim intellectuals and scholars everywhere to comprehend the vast breadth and depth of the crisis engulfing Muslim thought today and the necessity of solving this crisis to enable the Ummah to experience a revival and fulfill its role among the nations of the world. The reader will find a variety of articles dealing with this intellectual crises, these include a chapter on the role of ijtihad role and history, important since our intellectual problems cannot be solved without the use of independent reasoning and creativity by scholars. Another discusses imitation (taqlid) calling upon Muslim scholars and intellectuals to abandon imitation and to stop favoring the past over the present when trying to solve modern problems. Another looks at human rights.

Genres: Islam

Paperback

First published December 1, 2005

About the author

Dr. Taha Jabir al Alwani was born in Iraq in 1354/1935. He received his primary and secondary education in his native land and then graduated with an Honors Degree from the College of Shariah and Law at Al Azhar University in Cairo in 1378/1959. From the same university he was awarded his Master's Degree in 1388/1968, and a Doctorate in Usul al Fiqh in 1392/1973. For ten years (from 1395/1975 to 1405/1985) Dr al 'Alwani was a Professor of Fiqh and Usul al Fiqh at Imam Muhammad b. Sa'ud University in Riyadh. Dr. al 'Alwani participated in the founding of the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) in the USA in 1401/1981, and is now the Institute's President and a member of its Board of Trustees. He is a founder-member of the Council of the Muslim World League in Makkah. A member of the OIC Islamic Fiqh Academy in Jeddah since 1407/1987. President of the Fiqh Council of North America 1408/1988.

Reviews

[Ahaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a collection of articles written by Taha Jabir Al-Alwani which have been translated into English. Throughout the book, Al-Alwani expounds upon his ideas for reforming Islamic thought and the Muslim Ummah as a whole.

Although one might disagree with his ideas, one can see that Al-Alwani has given the issues much thought and reflection and has sincerely given his advice for reform. These articles were written in the 90s and as such reflect the issues present at that time. Although those issues have not yet been resolved, new and graver issues have appeared since then. One cannot help but wonder how Al-Alwani would react and respond to the events and issues facing the Muslim Ummah today.

This book serves as an interesting insight into one project of Muslim reform that emerged in the 80s and 90s. It could also serve as a potential source of new ideas developed off of the ideas in the book.

I personally did not agree with many of Al-Alwani's positions especially with regards Ijtihad. Although, I did like his Islamization of Knowledge endeavor.