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Worldview: Conceptual Framework for UNDERSTANDING the world around us A worldview or world-view is the fundamental cognitive orientation of an individual or society encompassing the whole of the individual's or society's knowledge and point of view. A worldview can include natural philosophy; fundamental, existential, and normative postulates; or themes, values, emotions, and ethics.<br>
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The Islamic Worldview The world was in darkness until the sun rose in the Arabian desert with the advent of Islam. The teachings of Islam transformed the course of history and launched a civilization which enlightened the world for a thousand years. For various reasons, there have been temporary setbacks leading to decline and degeneration among Muslims over the past few centuries. But Islam contains complete and perfect guidance for all times to come, and implementing the teachings of Islam today would once again lead the Muslims to world leadership, as it did for a thousand years in the past.<br>
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Western/Eurocentric Worldview The world was enveloped in darkness and ignorance, until the sun of reason rose in Europe in the sixteenth century. Mankind learned to think for themselves, reject superstition, discover science and technology, and make tremendous advances in all fields of knowledge, for the first time in human history. The WEST created civilization, literature, philosophy, and everything good known to mankind today. Their accomplishments have shaped the world as we know it, and far outshine those of any other civilization.<br>
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Our Dual Heritage: Divides Heart & Head<br>
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Deep & Dramatic Conflict Requirement of Faith: To believe the Islamic Worldview
Requirement of REASON: To believe the Eurocentric Worldview
WHY? European Civilization dominates the world. European Science and Technology drive the world. European knowledge in all fields is the most advanced. European accomplishments admired by all.
WHEREAS: Islamic teachings nowhere in sight – Islamic civilization impoverished, Islamic people have low standards of conduct, no power, no knowledge of modernity, etc. etc. etc.<br>
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Modern education is BUILT on Eurocentric Foundations All educated people are TRAINED to see the world with European glasses.
20 years of education is focused on knowledge developed by Western Civilization over past 300 years.
This TEACHES US, experientially, that this knowledge is essential for survival, and to get respect, today.
WE have been indoctrinated into believing the Eurocentric worldview
This makes it IMPOSSIBLE to UNDERSTAND the teachings of Islam
Islam came as a stranger, and will become a stranger !!<br>
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SECULAR MODERN RESOLUTION of conflict Acknowledge the great accomplishments of Islam
Islam was a set of teachings which were great for their own time.
Modern era has move FAR BEYOND those early stages –
Islamic teachings are now obsolete
The ONLY PATH to progress lies through acquiring Western knowledge and the fruits of Western Civilization.
A Muslims CANNOT accept this resolution – BUT, we know of no ALTERNATIVE – We have no COUNTER-NARRATIVE!!<br>
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Islamic Approaches to Resolution of Conflict<br>
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Failed Counter-Strategies Madrassa Strategy:
Secularization: Differentiate between worldly & religious knowledge
IIUI and IIUM:
Islamization of Knowledge: Integrate Western & Islamic Knowledge<br>
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Need of the time: Ghazali Strategy Three Part Strategy:
1: Al-Munqid min al-Dalal: Deliverance from Error - Tableegh
2: Tahafat alFalasifa: Incoherence of Philosophers – rejection of Eurocentric Worldview
3: Ihya Uloomud Deen: Revival of the Religious Science – providing empirical evidence and proof for Islamic Worldview.<br>
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The Task Before Us: My eyes were not dazzled by the brilliance of Western wisdom
They were protected by the dust of Madina and Najaf<br>
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Articulating the Western Narrative<br>
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Values: Western Education Who created the Universe? No answer (by accident)
What is the purpose of creation of man? (no purpose)
What is the goal of our lives? (pleasure, luxury, power, fame)
What are rules of morality? (NONE – Machiavelli – rules used to keep public deceived, which allows rulers to rule).
How should our societies be constructed? (greed and competition)
International Arena: Survival of the Fittest.<br>
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Eurocentric History Enlightenment of Europe starting from 16th Century
Rise of Reason, Science, Technology, Democracy, Secular Faith
Spectacular Progress on all fronts, leaving behind all rest of humanity
Colonization of Globe to bring benefits of European civilization to all of humanity (The White Man’s Burden).
Developed Countries – waiting for the Under-developed countries to grow up and become like them.
There is only one path to progress. All Social Science is Western Social Science. There is no alternative TINA.<br>
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Counter-Narrative: Part 1 Tahafatul Falasafa<br>
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Counter-Narrative Pattern of History, described by Ibn-e-Khaldun: Civlization age and mature, become wrapped in luxury, defeated by young barbarians.
700 year old Islamic Civilization of Al-Andalus, defeated by barbarian European tribes.
Acquisition of books leads to European Enlightenment.
Breakup of Catholic Church, rise of Protestants.
Perpetual political/religious wars leads to public disenchantment
Barbaric, Savage and Violent colonization of the world – due to comparative advantage in violence, and Military Revolution<br>
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Counter-Narratives Moral Decline of West
Oppression of the Muslims
Tales of Muslim Heroism and Counter-Struggles
Oppression/Destruction of Other Cultures, and Tales of their resistance and heroism
The Narrative of Progress, replaced by death, destruction and doom of planet caused by excess greed.
Power of Propaganda. Iraq, Libya, Syria versus Islamic Terrorism.<br>
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Counter-Narrative Part 2 Ihya Uloom ud Deen<br>
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The Meaning of Development World was created for a purpose – a testing ground
We are here to STRUGGLE against injustice
Human lives have meaning; each one is infinitely precious
Goal of Society – enable development of inherent capabilities and potentials of every human being. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Human behavior – we are sons and daughters of Adam & Eve.
Do NOT allow divisions on basis of race, language, geography, nationality<br>
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Central Message of Islam: Just as needed today, as 14 centuries ago! Excellence in Conduct. The best Muslim is the one who has the best conduct.
Mercy to all Nations: We have the welfare of the entire humankind in our hearts. This is the responsibility entrusted to the Ummah of Muslims.
All men and women are brothers and sisters, born of Adam and Hawwa. We are all equal, and we are responsible for each other.
Power is given to us to HELP the oppressed, not to oppress.
Wealth is given to us so that we can help the needy, not to flaunt it like Qaroon
The leader of a nation is the servant of the people.
All creation is the family of God. The way to get near to God is to be of service to the Creation<br>
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What we need to do: Internal, Spiritual, Revolution: Strengthening of Faith in Allah & Book
Struggle with External World in dimensions where we can make a difference
Abandonment of vain efforts
Replacement of Goal-Oriented worldview with Journey-Oriented View<br>
