One social side-effect of this loss may be that we would end up with having highly specialized Muslims in specific fields/interests without the ability to bring it all together and use the accumulated ilm as a fuel to mobilize the Ummah in a positive direction. What we would have is scattered specialized Muslims in fields XYZ pointing fingers at the scholars/students of knowledge to solve all the problems of the Ummah because they have been studying–regardless of their field–under the illusion that their ilm was not a ‘sacred ilm’ that could serve to directly benefit our affairs. It is therefore very important to look as the word ilm [or words, ilmun nafi`un (beneficial knowledge)] as it was intended–as a means, not a goal– because it never stops. Looking at the term in a broader light “[illuminates] the mind” so that we can creatively work towards that which benefits our state as a whole.

JAK for the much needed reminders and new points to reflect upon.

Assalamu Alaikum Omar,

I apologize for the late reply– I recently noticed this– I had mentioned in the article thinkers’ names like Dr. Tariq Ramadan, Dr. Sherman Jackson, Dr. Heba Ezzat, Dr. Ismail Faruqi (rA), and Dr. Taha Jabir al-Alwani mostly because I think they are names people have maybe have heard of, but have not really read or sat with in discussion. There are really too many names to add to this list– for those who can understand Arabic, I recommend the International Union of Muslim Scholars website– they have lectures from a variety of scholars/thinkers including Dr. Mohammad Saleem al-Awwa, Dr. Mohammad Ammara, and more. Sheikh Salman Awda’s website, “Islam Today,” Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi’s books, and what you can find from Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah. Something nice to think about is that masha Allah, many of these names do not agree on a number of issues, but have the knowledge and tolerance to differ in a just and open-minded way.

There are many other names, but my main focus is not so much to direct you to the exact people or books I have gotten to experience, but rather, to encourage people to seek ‘baseera’ and increased Islamic Understanding through the advices given 🙂

WS
Muslema

Maybe you could share some of the other books/articles which helped you write this reflection as it would be of benefit to myself and I am sure others. Thanks!

May God reward you

Assalamu Alaikum Br. Omar,

One more thing– the scholars have a statement “La mushahata fil istilaah”– basically,that there is no real dispute over the names of things 🙂 The book is a good read either way 🙂

In terms of the book’s title– from an activist perspective– you might find what he is suggesting to be radically different than what you’ve experienced in the community because pple tend to choose ‘adaptation reform’ over ‘transformation reform.’

But from an usul al-fiqh perspective, context or al-waaqi3 has historically always and long been a significant point of consideration for scholars. Using the hard and social sciences as a necessary means of understanding context for informing fiqh rulings is, in my humble opinion, not so radical, but rather the next step in the historical development of understanding and using al-waaqi3 in usul al-fiqh.

Jzk also for your words of encouragement and beneficial comments!

WS
Muslema

Subhan Allah, Dr. Tariq Ramadan has some amazing points in his book, but this article is actually a reflection of many classes, readings, meetings and books from a wide variety of scholars and teachers of which Dr. Ramadan is one of them. There seems to be a general discussion moving in the direction of relevancy and empowerment in developing our Islamic Understanding with many great thinkers at the table. I think the discussion itself is a good sign for our ummah insha Allah.

WS
Muslema

The whole time I was reading it I was thinking, “hmm…sounds like someone’s reading TR” and then I saw your reference to him 🙂

That book is truly remarkable and very motivating. I have to disagree in terms of title choice though — I think the title is on point because I feel that a major reform is needed in terms of the “model” which Muslims use to practice activism in America (and elsewhere I suppose).

When TR spoke recently in SoCal he mentioned a few things along those lines:
– don’t confuse principles with models; principles are universal, and models can change
– you need a model for your area (i.e. context)
– we need to move past integration into contribution

But you are absolutely right, relevance is key if we really want to make an impact and effect positive change.

Thanks for this post! Inshallah we can have more like it in the future