Reflection on IIUM philosophy of education in a historical context

It is a basic psychological premise that human being acts the way he thinks; in other words, our acts explain the way we think. This premise emphasizes the assumption that problems of Muslim societies are mainly result of the prevailing thoughts which in turn are production of education philosophies. Whitehead emphasizes that the mentality of an epoch springs from the view of the world, which is in fact, dominant in the educated sections of the community in question. Hence, the contemporary global crises, especially in the Muslim world, have shifted the attention once again to the question of education and initiated many studies on this topic. The proper understanding of such problems, however, might not be possible without understanding the underlying philosophy of education, which deals with the major educational questions about the recipient, the content, and goals of education. The objective of this paper is to highlight the education philosophy of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) as an example of new model of Islamic education of higher learning that integrates knowledge with values and modernity with classic. The paper is designed to provide the basic information on IIUM philosophy, aiming at creating awareness on significance of this topic. It does not review or evaluate the theory of ‘Islamization and integration of knowledge’ (IOK); rather it presents the structure and the general framework of IIUM educational philosophy and its implications on practical challenges of modern Muslim societies in the globalizing world. This exposition would be in a historical context of Islamic education and development of its reformation thought

Fundamentals of the Islamic medical philosophy

The purpose of this paper is to advocate for a holistic medical philosophy that is capable of accommodating various models of medical explanations. Such a comprehensive and integrated approach of medical philosophy should be capable of addressing, the ethical, epistemological and metaphysical aspects of medical research and practice. The basic presupposition of the paper is that the Islamic principles on health promotion can play an important role in developing such a holistic medical philosophy. Adopting the analytic method, the paper investigates the three major frameworks of explanation that dominated the history of medical philosophy: (a) the humoral model that is based on balance of the humors; (b) the biocentric model which is based on causal explanation and defines disease in descriptive biological terms; and (c) the post-modern or meta-biocentric model that concerned mainly with the medical philosophy and aims at promoting the holistic approach. This paper, also, investigates the three basic forms of medical explanations which are determined by the above domains, i.e. the descriptive, the normative, and the integrated models. The paper traces the impact of explanation methods on good medical practices and explores the Islamic medical philosophy and its potential role in promoting the holistic approach. Along the way, the paper discusses the ideal relationship between physician and patient according to the Islamic perspective

The Islamic worldview for medical professions 2019

Implications of the Worldview on Thought and Life Implications of the word view on thought (at individual level) It gives meaning and purpose to our life. Provides the systematic answers to the ultimate / cosmic questions; Interprets the being as whole and identifies between means and goals; Gives meaning to human life and establishes ethical commitment; Identify role of human being in relation to other creatures; Establishes the theoretical principles for practical way of life; Implications of the word view on life (at individual & collective levels) Creates the essences of unity and harmony in community; Identifies the different communities and civilizations; Establishes the basic principles of social order and rules for living, with regard to how to satisfy the basic human needs; Protects the community from disintegratio

Appreciation of biodiversity in Qur'anic account: an investigation on ecological maintenance

Preservation of biodiversity is a major concern of the global community today. The continuous destruction of natural ecosystems is threatening the life on earth. The two major sources of the crisis, as identified by the available literature, are the need to satisfy the ever increasing human needs for development, and the climate change that follows. It seems to be a create paradox. Both, the religious contribution and scientific conclusions are necessary to deal with the matter. Although a considerable literature is already available on the topic, farther investigation is still necessary for preservation of biodiversity and maintenance of ecosystems. The central question that arises, in this context, would be about the nature of contribution that might be provided by Islamic teachings, especially the Qur`anic view on biological phenomenon, to deal with the ecological problems. The major objective of this paper is to examine this key question. The holy Qur`an is word of God that revealed, with instructions (awamir & nawahi), to guide man to the best choices. The natural biodiversity, on the other hand, is created by God with fixed laws to satisfy human needs and shift man’s attention, through systematic functions, to two forms of knowledge: (i) the practical knowledge of creatures for various purposes; and (ii) the theoretical knowledge that concluded from knowledge of creatures to recognize their Creator. To observe revealed guidance is a moral value and ethical obligation; while observation of natural laws in the created world is an epistemic value and scientific obligation. These are the two forms of knowledge that obligated to mankind to establish foundations of a meaningful life. Advancement in science and technology that based on moral values is, therefore, the core of development and key factor of progress in human society. The holy Qur`an appreciates the natural life and urges for protection of ecosystems and preservation of biodiversity for the above two purposes

Introduction to Shari`ah in medical practices

At the ending of the lecture the audiences should be able to understand: What is ‘Shari`ah Sources of Shari`ah Major types of rules (الأحكام الشرعية) in Islam How we deduce rules from their sources? The difference between Figh and Usul –al-Figh How Shari`ah can serve medicine and medical practices? Importance of reviviling the Islamic medical heritage Principles and characteristics of Islamic medical philosophy

The basic structure of ethical norms

THIS BOOK Taking in account the ethical implications of modern science and technology on nature and human, this book highlights the importance of ethics and moral values in human life. Knowledge and values are the two indispensible aspects of meaningful life. Aided by these two means, mankind has been able to achieve constant developments throughout the history. Along the course of history, Divine guidance has been revealed for moral perfection and total reconstruction of the worldview; thus, the modern value-free progression in science and technologies invites the attention for moral research. This book is designed to provide the essential knowledge on ethics and moral values. It is a theoretical study on the basic structure of ethical norms from both Islamic tradition and modern research perspectives. The central aim of the book is to expose readers to the general framework of ethical theories and moral norms. It especially highlights the relationship between facts and values; the major classifications of ethical norms in Qur`anic perspective; meaning of descriptive and normative ethics; the major classifications of ethical theories and virtue based ethical systems

The rational framework of scientific thinking in islamic tradition

The scientific thinking in Islamic tradition is inspired by the genuine sources of Divine revelation. It is mode of a systematic inquiry that triggered by the principles of the Islamic worldview and guided by the common thought of Muslim intellectual’s community. Both, the proper understanding of the sources and conscious application of the principles of the worldview are essential to maintain the spirit of scientific thinking. The terminal goal of systematic inquiry in Islamic tradition is to utilize forces of the temporal for the Absolute, but achieving such a noble goal is impossible without proper understanding of both the natural and human phenomena. This paper investigates the conceptual and rational frameworks of scientific thinking in Islamic tradition. Utilizing the analytic approach of qualitative method, the paper investigates both the cognitive (epistemic) and conventional (social) aspects of scientific thinking based on Qur`anic perspective. Keywords: Systematic mind, scientific thinking, rational framework, Islamic worldview, systematic inquiry, epistemology, strategic approach

Fiqh al-waqaf baina itarah al-qanuni wa-daurihi al-iqtisadi al-manshud =فقه "الوقف" بين إطاره القانوني ودوره الإقتصادي المنشود

The “Waqaf” is religio-economic term used in Islamic jurisprudence for donations made by individuals based on religious motives to serve the public. It usually made not in cash money but as concrete things, such as building schools or hospitals for use of public. The distinguishing feature of this private contribution in the community development is sustainability. Waqaf must be utilized in sustainable manner so that it can serve public as long as possible. Good management of Waqaf is essential for sustainability and long lasting services. Waqaf has played a crucial role to develop the society in the history of Islamic civilization through providing financial support to government and rendering direct services to the public. Many education centers, such as libraries and schools were established based on Waqaf. Therefore, this Islamic system can play a significant role in development of the contemporary Muslim communities. The major objective of this paper is to explain and highlight role of Waqaf in development of modern Muslim societies, especially in the realm of education and community cervices. يتوقف النمو الإقتصادي وإزدهاره في الدولة المعاصرة على عنصرين: أولهما دور القطاع الخاص أو الشعبي وثانيهما هو التخطيط الرسمي التي تقوم به الدولة. فالقطاع الشعبي، ممثلاً في رجال الأعمال وشركات التصنيع والمؤسسات المالية والحركة التجارية في المجتمع بصورة عامة، يلعب دوراً محورياً في النمو الإقتصادي وتطوره. ومن ناحية أخرى تعلب الدولة ممثلة في جهازها التنفيدي والتشريعي دوراً جوهرياً في تحريك عجلة الحياة الإقتصادية من خلال رسم السياسات السديدة وبناء الخطط الإقتصادية الطموحة، ثم وضع التشريعات والقوانين التي تكفل حمايتها وتطوريها. فنظام الوقف في الإسلام يمثل العنصر الثالث الطوعي المكمل للعنصرين السابقين. فمن المعلوم حقاً كان للوقف دوراً كبيراً في صناعة الحضارة الإسلامية ونهضة الأمة، حيث كانت أموال الأوقاف هي الأساس في إزدها العديد من المؤسسات، ولا سيما المؤسسات الإجتماعية والتربوية، ولكن أيضاً النظام الإقتصادي في تلك العصور كان متواضعاً خالياً من تعقيدات النظام الإقتصادي المعاصر. ومن هنا يبرز سؤال محوري وهو: كيف يمكن للوقف أن يلعب دوره الإقتصادي والتنموي المنشود في إطار أحكام الفقه التقليدي في الوقت المعاصر؟ حاول هذا البحث الإجابة عن هذا السؤال وتحديد العلاقة بين الإطار الفقهي والقانوني للوقف وبين دوره الإقتصادي المنشود في ظل التحديات النظام الإقتصادي المعاصر

Reconstruction of the worldview as strategy for environmental survival and sustainability

The current ecological crisis is a matter of urgent global concern that seeks global solutions and sincere cooperation of nations and all parties of the human community: experts, policymakers, organizations and publics. The relevant solution, however, sought to be found associated with a precise identification and clear vision of root causes which, consequently, guide to the development of valid theories that capable to address the issue from its various dimensions. Although the distinguished scholars of various disciplines across the glob have been suggesting solutions of different kinds to the problem, they agree that the major part of environmental crisis comes from human actions. However, more significantly, scholars are in agreement that human actions are determined by his ideas and beliefs. This factor obviously identifies the strategic approach to deal with our ecological crisis; that is to rebuild our ideas and beliefs towards nature, i.e. reconstruction of the worldview. This work examines this hypothesis which asserts that the environmental crisis which experienced by mankind today are mainly due to his world view; i.e. misconception of the true relationship between man, nature and the ultimate truth. The study focuses on philosophical foundations of man- nature relationship, with objective of providing useful insights and perspectives that might contribute to uncover the root causes of our environmental crisis; and to establish a new united vision that capable to maintain the indispensable friendship of man and nature. To achieve these goals the study shall focus on the view that both man and nature are creatures of one Creator. However, nature has been made to serve man, not as a machine dominated by human, but as “Amanah” or “Trust” which capable for utilization not destruction. Nature, according to this concept, has two main functions: to serve man in his physical needs, and to guide him morally to the right path, i.e. towards discovery of the Creator and His great wisdom in the natural phenomena

Jewish in the Holy Qur`an

This presentation introduces the audiences to the Palestinian issue and Jewish as presented by the holy Qur`an