Muslims need to revive their intellectual traditions’

From: The Daily News.

* Karen Armstrong urges today’s Muslims to follow the example of reasoning undertaken by the companions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)LAHORE: Dr Karen Armstrong asserted on Saturday that Muslims today needed to follow the example of the companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who, in the time immediately after his death, had re-explored the verses of the Holy Quran within the framework of ‘reasoning’ in order to establish a pluralistic society. The internationally renowned religious historian and scholar said this while delivering a seminar entitled “Intellectual Traditions in Islam” – part of a series of lectures to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Imamate of His Highness the Aga Khan. The lectures, organised by the Ismaili Council of Pakistan, were aimed at developing a comprehensive understanding of the need for pluralism and tolerance within society. Dr Armstrong stressed that the world often passed through periods of great turbulence and upheaval. Indeed, she noted, Muslims had faced such crises directly after the death of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Fitna (chaos or mischief), she said, ensued after his death. For many at that time, his death represented a religious and political vacuum. Others saw the crisis as having the potential to give space to non-Arab influences that directly challenged the prevailing Arab-Islamic culture. Thus, she noted, the companions of the Prophet (PBUH) began addressing these problems within the framework of Quranic injunctions and the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in the form of the books of the Hadith, which were compiled in order to offer additional guidance to Muslims. Dr Armstrong stressed that great Islamic scholars such as Abne Rushad (Averros) and Ibne Seena (Avicena) were also at the forefront of those who pondered and followed the teachings of their religion within the framework of reasoning in order to form a just and ideal society. Thus, she said, Muslims today should not shy away from adopting the same approach towards Islam. This was especially true given that the Holy Quran represents a code of conduct, which promotes the idea of pluralism and, as such, is open to new ideas. “We need to assume confidence which we do not have at the moment and then we need to recover spiritualism.”Given that Muslim tradition had demonstrated an introspective approach to the crises of a particular era, she urged Muslims today to adopt a similar approach. This would help them fulfil the visions of Muslim saints, including the Sufi leaders, who had practised Islam in its true form to promote humanity, equality and respect for all. Indeed, Dr Armstrong said that since the Holy Quran itself urged believers against blind faith, Muslims should engage in exploring the true meaning of its injunctions in order to advance further the cause of humanity. Earlier, President Ismaili Council for Pakistan Iqbal Walji addressed the gathering saying that it was essential for Muslims to promote a pluralistic society in order to foster peace and harmony. In addition, he said that communities needed to be provided with a greater range of choices and understanding in order to promote mutual respect and tolerance. Towards this end, he said that it was imperative to promote good governance in the bid to eradicate poverty. Stressing that the world should strive to become an alliance of civilisations, Mr Walji appreciated the role played by Dr Armstrong in building bridges between the West and the Islamic world. After the end of the lecture, the audience was invited to participate in a brief questions and answers session, where Dr Armstrong again stressed that the Holy Quran outlined the need for understanding of Islam’s true meaning and that this could not be developed until its injunctions had been fully explored. Such an approach, she said, should extend to madrassa education. Dr Armstrong is the author of many books on religion, many of which have been translated into forty languages worldwide. In 1999, she was honoured by the Muslim Council for Public Affairs (USA) and in 2004 by the Muslim Association of Social Sciences in recognition of her contributions for building bridges between the West and Islamic world. staff report