Study of other religions �in light of �Abdulhamid AbuSulayman’s notion of �Islamisation of Knowledge (IOK)

• Main Author: Ibrahim, Mansor
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: BL Religion
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/103983/1/Study%20of%20Other%20Religions%20AHAS.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/103983/2/ASSOC.%20PROF.%20DR.%20HASLINA%20IBRAHIM%20AHAS%20CONFERENCES.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/103983/

AbdulHamid AbuSulayman’s appreciation for the traditional methods and approaches in Islamic intellectual tradition was followed by his emphasis on its’ reform. This call transpired in his notion of Islamization of Knowledge (IOK) which by right, should paved the way for alternative methods in the teaching and learning of various disciplines in the Islamic educational institution. Study of other religions for an instance, traditionally was developed from within theology, specifically under Kalam. However, theology and kalam have been subdued with the emergence of modern scientific approaches that was more interested in grasping the human aspect of religions instead of examining and verifying its’ truth-claim. In this regard, teaching Study of other religions at the department of Islamic studies must be guided by the notion of IOK without which it will suffer from epistemological and ethical disorientation. This article therefore suggests reviving the teaching of Study of other religions in light of AbuSulayman’s notion of IOK to restore the purpose of knowledge seeking and its meaning in an Islamic intellectual endeavor. In doing so, the author will adopt a thematic approach in analyzing AbuSulayman’s ideas of IOK under three guiding themes which include the need of heritage and the traditional method, the question of objectivity and impartiality of Truth and the Islamic methodology in studying other religions.