Islamization of Knowledge: An Agenda for Muslim Intellectuals

Abstract

In course of history have been many types of epistemology, philosophy, and method of thought and methodology. These thoughts, researches, philosophies, opinions cannot after offer ultimate relief to man. Only revealed knowledge can offer ultimate relief to man. This paper highlights that Islamization of Knowledge is a comprehensive phenomenon what re-establishes the knowledge on its original basis according to the light of revealed knowledge. It appears to be synonymous with the term Islamic Revivalism (Renaissance) which is defi-ned as a reform-oriented movement driven by a conscious change in Muslim thought, attitude and behavior and characterized by a commitment to revive Islamic Civilization. It also shows that the IOK project has played a prominent role in contemporary scholarship and literature, in both theory and practices although the subject of IOK, intellectually and epistemologically, is being extensively debated. Numerous writers have elaborated, at different levels of scholarship, on the IOK. Proponents, some critical of certain aspects of the IOK project have developed further the seminal ideas of the major writers, and many have also added their own contributions to the ideas of the major writers. It also argues that the IOK is a continuous process of "moving towards a moving target," and most probably would change it dimensions through proper Ijtihad and deep research. There is a need for serious evaluation (implying criteria, standards) before accepting, rejecting, assimilating or synthesizing can be done in developing contemporary Islamic knowledge.