Islamic Renaissance - The Real Task Ahead, livre ebook

• The founding manifesto of Markazi Anjuman Khuddam-ul-Qur'an and, by institutional extension, of Tanzeem-e-Islami — a primary document for tracing the genesis of a significant modern Islamic revivalist movement
• A rare instance of a revivalist scholar turning sustained critical scrutiny on the revivalist tradition itself, distinguishing sharply between Islam as socio-political “system” and Islam as inward, existential faith (Iman)
• Concludes with a concrete institutional “Blueprint for Action,” later realized in Dr. Israr Ahmad’s own founding of a Qur'an Academy movement
• Appends the founding statements of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s Darul-Irshad and Maulana Abul Ala Mawdudi’s Darul-Islam, situating the text within a longer genealogy of Qur'anic-academy proposals
• Presented in a careful English translation by Dr. Absar Ahmad, making an influential Urdu-language original accessible to English readers

Shelve under Islamic Studies / Contemporary Islamic Thought, adjacent to works on twentieth-century Islamic revivalist movements and English translations of South Asian Islamic reformist literature. This is a short primary-source monograph rather than a general introduction to Islam, and is best positioned for readers with an existing interest in Islamic revivalism, dawah literature sections, and religious studies coursework adoption. Cross-merchandising opportunities include sections on modern Islamic movements, South Asian Islamic history, and comparative religious reform.

It is an outcome of this very standpoint that the practice of the Islamic faith has come to be regarded as synonymous with the State, and worship (Ibadah) simply equivalent to obedience (Ita'ah). The Prophet's statement that prayer (Salat) is the spiritual ascension of the believer is completely disregarded. The attachment of the human soul to prayer to the degree that it becomes the only source of inner happiness and peace is nowhere to be seen. Contrary to this, the more progressive elements have identified the canonical prayer with the social order of the community. Some others assign importance to it only in so far as it is a comprehensive method for the organization of the Muslim community. The power of Zakat, the annual poor due, to develop and purify the soul is regarded as secondary to its role in the Islamic economic system or national welfare scheme. Fasting is commonly said to be an exercise in self control, but its potency to vitalize the soul by relaxing the shackle of the corporeal body upon it is either not fully realized or left unexpressed.

This new interpretation of Islam is a direct result of the universal domination of Western philosophical thought which has completely secularized the point of view of Muslims. Consequently the soul and its inner life is wholly discarded in favor of the affairs of worldly life which constitute the sole object of thought and reflection. This has resulted in a materialistic interpretation of faith and religion. Though at the theoretical level it is said that Islam is a comprehensive system of human welfare, concerned with both this world and the Hereafter, since their eyes are firmly fixed on the problems of this-worldly existence, Islam, in the final analysis, is reduced to a political and social system. Theological beliefs are considered as no more than a 'veil', a facade, or an outer crust. The real mission they have set for themselves is the enforcement of this system of life and conduct, while the yearning for communion with God is relegated to a peripheral status.

Preface

Global Domination of Western Thought

The Fundamental Point of View

Political and Ideological Onslaught of the West on the Islamic World

The Early Defensive Attempts and Their Achievements

The Development of the Social Sciences

The Idea of an “Islamic Way of Life” and the Twentieth Century Islamic Movements

The Error of their Interpretation of Islam

Revitalization of Faith: The Necessary Precondition of an Islamic Renaissance

The Real Task Ahead

A Blueprint for Action

End Notes