Challenges Of Islamic Civilization And Its Implications: A Critical Analysis From Muhammad Asad’s Point Of View

• Main Authors: Siti Fatimah, Mohd, Rahimah, Embong
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc; CB History of civilization
• Online Access: http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/517/1/FH03-INSPIRE-16-06128.pdf; http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/517/
• Institution: Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin

This paper aims at analysing Muhammad Asad’s thoughts regarding challenges facing Islamic civilization. Muhammad Asad (1900-1992), a prolific Muslim scholar who studied about the comparison between Islamic and Western civilizations. His previous name was Leopold Weiss. He is a genuine revert who embraced Islam because he was impressed with the beauty of Islamic teaching. He made frequent journeys to Arab countries and this gave him more comprehensive worldview about Islamic civilization compared to the Western civilization. Many other scholars acknowledged his writings and works on Islamic civilization. From his point of view, the existence of Islamic civilization in this world began since the beginning of human history as Islam absolutely, is originated from the Ultimate Creator, Allah s.w.t. and not created by humankind. The rise and fall of Islamic civilization have been studied by many scholars including Muhammad Asad in many aspects especially its distinguished features, underpinning elements and arising challenges. This paper uses the qualitative method of critical and content analysis of his writings mainly Islam at the Crossroads. This to examine critically and analytically his primary thoughts regarding the arising issues and challenges in Islamic civilization. Muhammad Asad has highlighted three major challenges internally and externally. The first is an internal challenge that is the existence of pseudo scholars (ulama’ al-dunya). The second is an external challenge that is the emergence of orientalism and its insolent strategies. The third challenge is also external one; the impact of western civilizational theory that is clash of civilizations. Consequently, two main implications of this analysis are recommended; firstly, it promotes dialogue of civilizations and secondly, it revisits Islamization of knowledge. Both implications are identified to be significant contributing factors towards revitalization and rejuvenation of Islamic civilization which is stagnant for a few decades.