THE CONTRIBUTION OF SYED ALI ASHRAF, SYED NAQIB AL-ATTAS AND ISMAIL RAJI AL- FARUQUI TO THE ISLAMIZATION OF KNOWLEDGE THE CONTRIBUTION OF SYED ALI ASHRAF, SYED NAQIB AL-ATTAS AND ISMAIL RAJI AL-FARUQUI TO THE ISLAMIZATION OF KNOWLEDGE A thesis submitted to the Department of Islamic Studies, University of Dhaka in partial fulfilment of the requirements for MPhil degree Prepared by SK. Foyajul Islam Department of Islamic Studies University of Dhaka July 2016 Dhaka University Institutional Repository THE CONTRIBUTION OF SYED ALI ASHRAF, SYED NAQIB AL-ATTAS AND ISMAIL RAJI AL-FARUQUI TO THE ISLAMIZATION OF KNOWLEDGE A thesis submitted to the Department of Islamic Studies, University of Dhaka in partial fulfilment of the requirements for MPhil degree Prepared by SK. Foyajul Islam Registration no: 53 Session: 2011/2012 Supervised by Dr. Muhammad Shafiq Ahmad Professor, Department of Islamic Studies University of Dhaka July 2016 Dhaka University Institutional Repository W. gynv¤§` kwdK Avn‡g` Dr. Muhammad Shafiq Ahmad Aa¨vcK I mv‡eK †Pqvig¨vb Professor & Ex-Chairman Bmjvwg óvwUR wefvM Department of Islamic Studies XvKv wek¦we`¨vjq, evsjv‡`k University of Dhaka, Bangladesh ‡dvb t 966192059 Phone: off. 966192059 Ex: 4300 G·‡Ubkb t 4300 ZvwiLt........................ Date:………………... Certificate This is to certify that the thesis entitled “The Contribution of Syed Ali Ashraf, Syed Naqib Al-Attas and Ismail Raji Al-Faruqui to the Islamization of Knowledge”, done by Sk. Foyajul Islam is submitted to the University of Dhaka in partial fulfilment of award of the degree of Master of Philosophy. This is also to certify that: 1. This work is written under my direct supervision and guidance; 2. It is a bonafide record of researcher’s independent work; 3. It is informative, significant and original research; To the best of my knowledge, no MPhil degree is awarded under this title. Itis a satisfactory work for awarding MPhil degree. I have checked it minutely and approved it with a view to awarding MPhil degree. Dr. Muhammad Shafiq Ahmad Professor, Dept. of Islamic Studies, University of Dhaka Dhaka University Institutional Repository Abstract In the contemporary period of the history of Muslim education, there are only a handfulof scholars who are acclaimed for their invaluable contributions to the idea of Islamization of Knowledge. They include Syed Ali Ashraf, Syed Naqib Al-Attas, and IslamilRaji Al-Faruqui. They contributed by educating, publishing, and active engagement in the educational domain. They heightened awareness among the Islamic scholars and academics about the significance of the reform in the educational realm. This humble study critically examines idea of the above mentioned personalities on Islamization of knowledge, its methodology and its necessity. It also provides a general overview on their formative period of life and the formulation of their thought. A brief discussion has been presented on their other activities which are deemed to be worth mentioning such as the spiritual dimension of Syed Ali Ashraf and a few significant shifts in the formulation of thought in the case of Ismail Raji Al-Faruqui. The study is divided broadly into three parts. Each parts is devoted to one the above mentioned personality. In the beginning of each part a biographical narrative and analysis has been presented. However, the main focus has been given on their contribution to Islamization of knowledge through their lifelong commitment to the subject. The role of different institutionsestablished by them have also been discussed, namely the International Institute of Islamic Thought in the USA, International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and DarulIhasn University in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The similarities and differences among them are also shown where it deemed to be relevant. This work also shades light on their methodology of implementing the Islamization agenda which would be a sefulsource for the researchers who wish to extend their knowledge in the subject. Dhaka University Institutional Repository Acknowledgement This academic work reflects the contributions of many people. It was my utmost pleasure when Professor Dr. Mohammad Shafiq Ahmad kindly agreed to offer his supervision andguidance. His kind advice from the very beginning of this research i.e. selecting the topic and gradual development has made it possible to accomplish it. I, therefore, owe a great deal to him. I also offer a special thank and gratitude to Dr. AnwarulKabir of National University of Bangladesh, Md.Habibillah of Word University and Shams Shahid of Jahangirnagar University for their motivationand advice as well as feedbacks in some cases. I haves benefited immenselyform the Dhaka University Central Library, library of Bangladesh Institute of Islamic Thought, library of DarulIhsan University. I am grateful to the above mentioned library authorities for their kind support of providing me with the available resources and research materials. Dr. Ihsanullah Miah of Asian University, and Dr. MahmudulHasan of DarulIhsan University also have helped me cordially by providing me with many important and rare book collections. I am also grateful to them. While visiting International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization, and International Islamic University of Malaysia, the kind help of Mujjammel is worth mentioning, particularly in collecting books form different libraries in Malaysia. Finally, I would like to thank my family members for their encouragement and support over the years, particularly my devoted mother who set me in the right path and instilled within me the hope of pursuing higher education. Last but not least, I recall the days at Al-AzharUniversity where I developed the overwhelming desire for research which still inspire me so profoundly. Dhaka University Institutional Repository Abbreviations SWT –SubhanahuWaTa’alaa PBUH - Peace Be Upon Him ICT - Information Communication Technology OIC - Information Communication Technology UK - United Kingdom IAUPE - International Association of the University Professors of English ISESCO - Islamic Scientific, Educational, and Cultural Organization B. Ed - Bachelor of Arts in Education M. Ed. - Masters of Arts in Education ISTAC - Islamic Thought and Civilization DLitt -Degreeof Honorary Doctorate of Arts ABIM - Islamic Youth Movement of Malaysia GAPIM - Muslim Writers’ Association of Malaysia DBP –DewanBahasadanPustaka Ed. - Editor UTM -UniversitiTeknologi Malaysia US - United States. PhD - Doctor of Philosophy NAIT - North American Islamic Trust Dhaka University Institutional Repository AAR - American Academy of Religion IRPC - Inter-Religious Peace Colloquium GCWR - Global Congress for the World Religions IIFSO - International Islamic Federation of Student Organizations. IIIT - International Institute for Islamic Thought. USA - United State of America UNESCO - United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization Dhaka University Institutional Repository Table of Contents Certificate………………………………………………………………..…………i Abstract………………………………………………………………………….....ii Acknowledgement…………………………………………………………………iii Abbreviations……………………………………………………………………...iv Introduction ……………………………………………………………………......1 Part one: Syed Ali Ashraf Chapter one:Biography…………………………………………….………….…..20 Chapter two: Spiritual life of Syed Ali Ashraf………………………..…………..30 Chapter three: Syed Ali Ashraf in the eyes of important personalities…………...35 Chapter four: Syed Ali Ashraf’s view on education………………………………39 Chapter five: Syed Ali Ashraf’s contribution toIslamizationof knowledge……....52 Chapter six: Concluding remarks ………………………………………………...67 Part two: Syed Naqib Al-Attas Chapter oneBiography……………………………………………………………70 Chapter two: Syed Naqib Al-Attas’ view on education………………………......82 Chapter three: Al-Attas’ view on the concept of religion………………………...94 Dhaka University Institutional Repository Chapter four: Al-Attas’ view on knowledge…………………………………….100 Chapter five: Syed Naqib Al-Attas’ contribution to Islamization of knowledge..110 Chapter six: Concluding remarks…………………………………………...…...119 Part three: Ismail Raji Al-Faruqui Chapter one: Biography………………………………………………………….122 Chapter two: The formation of Faruqi’sthought….………………………….......131 Chapter three: Faruqi’scontribution to Islamization of knowledge… ………….140 Chapter four:Faruqi’smethod of Islamization of knowledge………………........146 Chapter five: Concluding remarks ….…………………………………..……….161 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….164 Bibliography……………………………………………………………………..168 Dhaka University Institutional Repository