MidTerm UNGS 1301 PDF

Worldview A worldview is the overarching framework of beliefs, values, and assump ons through which an individual or a group interprets and understands the world around them. It shapes how we perceive reality, make decisions, and relate to others and our environment. Some other argue that a worldvie...

Worldview A worldview is the overarching framework of beliefs, values, and assump ons through which an individual or a group interprets and understands the world around them. It shapes how we perceive reality, make decisions, and relate to others and our environment. Some other argue that a worldview influences ideas about life’s purpose, morality, existence, and the nature of reality itself. It is also claimed that the worldviews are formed by culture, religion, philosophy, personal experiences, and educa on. SECULAR WORLDVIEW ISLAMIC WORLDVIEW while a secular worldview may priori ze For example, a religious worldview might science, reason, and human-centred ethics. see the world in terms of divine crea on and moral laws set by a deity, What is Islamic Worldview? Islamic worldview is based on knowledge. This knowledge comes from the Creator Allah SWT through a special source called revela on to the Prophets who shared this knowledge with mankind. This Knowledge claims that Allah SWT is the Creator, who reveals the Truth and Reality of life and the world. The Islamic worldview declare five fundamental reali es: 1. The Reality of the existence of Allah SWT as the Creator and Sustainer 2. Allah SWT has selected messengers and sent them to guide mankind with His Books 3. Allah SWT sent through revela on His books, the Quran being the last. 4. Allah SWT reveals the fact that this life in this world is short. A er this life there is another life. 5. In the second life there would be accountability. Reward and punishment. The above truth and reality are made known in the revealed books. Different Muslim Scholars on Worldview S. M. Naquib Al-A as Alparslan Acikgenc Choudhury The vision of reality and truth A mental framework, mental A comprehensive that appears before our mind's a tude, a totality of concepts, Islamic design of reality eye revealing the world of ul mate founda on of all rela ng to human life, existence in its totality, a human conduct, scien fic, the epistemology of metaphysical survey of the philosophical and the Divine Unity, the visible and invisible worlds technological ac vi es world reality and the including the perspec ve of developed by the individual world system derived life derived from the Divine throughout his/her life. from divine source. source. The characteris cs of Islamic worldview: 1. Knowledge-based worldview A comprehensive knowledge-based perspec ve on life, existence, and the universe, rooted in the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah. Offers a holis c and comprehensive understanding of reality, encompassing not only spiritual but also physical, moral, ethical, social, and legal dimensions of life. Key elements of the Islamic worldview include: Knowledge – true, authen c, and universal [TAUK] generally called as Islamic Revealed Knowledge is one of the important aspects of the Islamic worldview; knowledge has mul ple implica on for educa on, knowledge is infinite, and it originates from Allah swt and ends with Allah swt. Allah swt is the Absolute Knower, knows everything since knowledge is an aspect of Allah’s a ributes, hence, seeking it, expanding and teaching it is considered important act of Ibadah. The proper and sincere applica on of True, Authen c and Universal Knowledge [TAUK] in one’s personal and collec ve life forms the founda on of true, authen c and universal criterion of human excellence. Thus, the true, authen c and universal concept of knowledge and its applica on is an integral part of Islamic worldview. We gain knowledge through the study of the Quran and Sunnah as well as the study of nature, history and the inner experience of man based on the knowledge derived from them. The teachings found in the above fundamental sources on one side cons tute the true, authen c and universal concept of epistemology and on the other help to develop stability and frameworks to deal with emerging challenges 2. Universality of Islamic Worldview i. Misunderstandings About Islam In modern mes in the West and elsewhere Islam has been considered as a religion and religion of Muslims, a human ar fact manufactured by human beings. I have realized based on the reading of the Qur ‘ān it considers this kind of understanding and presenta on of Islam as fallacious and false and contends forcefully that “Islam is not a religion or faith in the modern Western sense, nor is it linked with their sort of power, poli cs, and state. It cannot be reduced to any of them, though it must include each of them. Even an outside observer, if not some Muslim, can plainly see that: ‘It cannot be repeated too o en that Islam is ‘not merely a religion’. It is a total and unified way of life, both religious and secular; it is a set of beliefs and a way of worship; it is a vast and integrated system of law; it is a culture and a civiliza on; it is an economic system and a way of doing business; it is a polity and a method of governance; it is a special sort of society and a way of running a family; it prescribes for inheritance and divorce, dress and e que e, food, and personal hygiene. It is a spiritual and human totality, this worldly and otherworldly’. Hence, ‘religion and poli cs are two sides of a single coin in Islam’”. For Allah SWT there is only one Din - Islam [worldview, system of life or the way of life and source of conduct and morals] which is designed and instructed by Allah SWT, the Creator of en re universe. Islam is presented in the Qur ‘ān by Allah SWT as the most suitable way of life for mankind. This means two things: man needs to acknowledge Allah SWT as his Creator and Lord and the sole object of obedience and devo on and follow Islam as the system of life. In this sense from a pure literal sense Islam means submission. Hence, man should consciously submit to Allah SWT and seek His guidance. This worldview, the way of life, mode of thinking and living is called as Islam. Hence, Islam is presented in the Qur ‘ān as Din which means, in truth and reality, the din which is the only Din which is acceptable by Allah SWT. “The True Din [Way of Life] with Allah is Islam [3: 19]. “We sent you with the Truth as a bearer of good dings and a warner!” [2: 119]. It means whatever is said about Islam in the Qur ‘ān it is true. The Qur ‘ān presents Islam as Din, the way of life that was given to the first Prophet Adam [pbuh] and later to all the Prophets [pbut] who followed and transmi ed it as the most appropriate way of life to all people throughout the ages. “This is a definite Truth from your Lord; be not, then, among the doubters” [2:147]. In this sense Islam, only Islam is universal. According to the Qur ‘ān, the Book of Allah SWT all religions and ideologies are historical and product of human mind. Allah SWT granted to mankind ‘the knowledge of the Truth and clear GUIDANCE. The Qur ‘Ān Speaks about Islam as Din - The Way of Life and Worldview Approved by Allah SWT. Islam literally means submission to Allah SWT and one who submits is called Muslim. Muslim is one who submits unreservedly himself and willingly and consciously acknowledges Allah SWT alone as his Lord, Master, and Creator. Henceforth, man is expected to undertake responsibility to live life in accordance with the guidance that has been granted to mankind by Allah SWT through the process of revela on, the Qur ‘ān is the last revela on. All this knowledge is given to man by Allah SWT. Therefore, this understanding cons tutes the core message of all the Prophets [pbut] who had appeared from the beginning of life on earth among various peoples and in different mes and places. According to the Qur ‘ān, all the Prophets [pbut] presented before mankind the same Din – Islam [the way of life]. Likewise, every revealed Book, “in whichever language it was revealed, and to whichever people it was addressed, contained the teachings of Islam”. These teachings are relevant to their me and place. ii. The Name Muslim was Given by Allah SWT One can see in the Qur‘ān that not only Islam was presented as the universal way of life which was granted by Allah SWT, even the name Muslim was also given to the Prophet Abraham [pbuh] by Allah SWT and to all those who came before and a er him and submi ed to Allah SWT. Believers bow down and prostrate yourselves before Your Lord and obey [serve] Your Lord and do good that you may prosper. Strive in the cause of Allah in a manner worthy of that striving. He has chosen you [for His task], and He has not laid upon you any hardship in Din. Keep to the faith of your father Abraham. Allah named you Muslims earlier and even in this [Book], that the Messenger may be a witness over you and that you may be witnesses over all mankind. So, establish Prayer, and pay Zakah, and hold fast to Allah. He is your Protector. What an excellent Protector; what an excellent Helper. 3. Comprehensive Nature of Islamic Worldview i. Islam is a message for all me For the en re humanity, for all aspects of life “O ye who believe! Be mindful of your duty to Allāh, seek the means of approach unto Him, and strive with might and main in His cause in order that ye may prosper.” (Q. al-Mā’idah: 35) ii. Comprehensive ‘aqidah, ‘ibadah & shari‘ah. “And in the earth, there are signs for those who seek cer tude - as also within your own selves. Afalā tubṣirūn (Will you not then see)?” (Q. al- Dhāriyāt:20- 21) “Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allāh, the Cherisher of the Worlds” (Q. al-An‘ām:162). 4. Realis cs and Prac cal i. Relevant throughout ages and different periods of human development, in line with human nature (fiṭrah) Unchangeable fundamentals (uṣūl) – all development and changes must be within the framework of these permanent reali es Branching issues (al-furū‘) – take into considera on reali es & circumstances ii. Remains prac cal & applicable throughout the ages, not sta c