This paper discusses the universality of the concept of identity from the perspective of Islam. This perspective of Islam was deemed necessary as a gap to be filled at ensuring that identity completes its course of universality as a concept. Therefore, the study subjects identity in its types to a Qur’ᾱnic critique with a view to identifying those that are in tandem with the tenets of Islam and those that are at variance with them. The contributions of Islam were critically discussed from four major schools of identity around the Muslim world. These schools with different formational motives and objectives were identified as the traditionalist, the reactionary, the non-conformist and the modernist.
The paper argues that the four schools of identity, in spite of their differences, were formed towards the achievement of the same goal of preserving the sanctity of Islam but using different theological mechanisms. With the perspective of Islam, identity as a concept was adjudged to have completed its cycle of universality. Conclusively, it was advanced that the primary basis in the formation of the four schools of identity is the Qur’ᾱn.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Definitions and Meanings of Identity
Types of Identity
Major Schools of Islamic Thought on Identity
The Secularists and Identity
Theologising the Types of Identity
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This study explores the concept of identity from an Islamic theological perspective, aiming to reconcile modern identity constructs with Qur’anic tenets. It critically examines how four major schools of Islamic thought—the traditionalists, reactionaries, non-conformists, and modernists—interpret identity and provides a framework for evaluating these identities within the guidelines of Islam.
- Analysis of the universality of identity and its secular definitions.
- Categorization of identity types: gender, racial/ethnic, sexual, class, moral, and religious.
- Evaluation of four distinct schools of Islamic thought regarding their theological mechanisms.
- Theological critique of identity constructs based on the Qur’an.
Excerpt from the Book
The Reactionaries/ Traditionalists and Identity
The Reactionaries/ Traditionalists are scholars of religion (especially Islam) who are said to be the moral voice of society. These scholars such as Abu’l Hassan ‘Ali an-Nadawī, Maulānā Tayyib and Mawdūdī are certainly aware of some of the distinctions and concepts that constitute the core of religious modernity going, by Jamal (nd).45 As it were, these are ‘Ulamᾱ’ who are conservative and whose conservatism is with a view to preserving the legacies of Islam. These scholars are described by Ozay (2001) with no concern for human problems, suppression of creativity and preaching of virtues of patience and fatalism even in the face of injustice and tyranny. According to him, the reactionaries jealously guard the supposed sanctity of the Islamic Law by holding firmly to the closure of the gate of Ijtihᾱd which is knowledge based on reasoning and declared closed in the 10th Century under the Abbasids.46 This, according to
Garipova (2016), therefore bounds future generations to blind imitation and unquestioned acceptance and memorisation of precedents and interpretations of the past authorities otherwise known as Taqlīd.47 Another name used to refer to the traditionalists is “qadimists”, a term derived from the word qadīm which, according to Garipova (2016), means old and has referred to the old method of education (or of doing things) as opposed to ’uṣūl al- Jadīd (the new method).48In Graham’s expression, Islamic traditionalism consists of the acknowledgement of the importance and authority of the revelations of the Qur’ān and Sunnah.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides the foundational context for the study, establishing identity as a universal concept and outlining the paper's intent to view it through an Islamic lens.
Definitions and Meanings of Identity: Reviews diverse academic and social science perspectives on identity, highlighting the limitations of secular definitions when applied universally.
Types of Identity: Discusses various disciplinary categories of identity, including gender, racial/ethnic, sexual, class, moral, and religious identities.
Major Schools of Islamic Thought on Identity: Identifies and critically analyzes the four key schools—traditionalist, reactionary, non-conformist, and modernist—and their respective historical development.
The Secularists and Identity: Examines the secularist perspective, which distinguishes between faith and politics, and critiques their Western-oriented approach.
Theologising the Types of Identity: Subjects the previously identified identity types to a Qur’anic critique to determine their alignment with Islamic principles.
Conclusion: Summarizes the study’s findings, reaffirming the Qur’an as the ultimate yardstick for defining and evaluating identities within the Muslim world.
Keywords
Identity, Islam, Qur'an, Traditionalism, Reactionary, Non-conformist, Modernism, Secularism, Gender Identity, Racial Identity, Moral Identity, Religious Identity, Ijtihad, Taqlid, Theology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper discusses the universality of the concept of identity from the perspective of Islam, analyzing how different schools of Islamic thought address and interpret identity in the modern world.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers the definition of identity, various types of identity (such as gender, racial, and moral), the evolution of different Islamic schools of thought, and the theological critique of these concepts.
What is the primary goal of this research?
The primary goal is to fill the gap in ensuring that identity completes its course as a universal concept by subjecting it to a Qur'anic critique, thereby identifying which identities align with Islamic tenets.
Which scientific method is utilized in this study?
The study employs a critical discursive approach, surveying existing literature on identity in social science and evaluating it against primary Islamic theological sources, specifically the Qur'an.
What does the main body of the text encompass?
It includes a comprehensive overview of various identity types, an examination of the four major schools of Islamic thought, and a detailed theological analysis comparing secular concepts of identity with Islamic principles.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Islamic identity, traditionalism, modernism, Ijtihad, Qur'anic critique, and the societal roles of different Islamic schools of thought.
How do the four schools of thought differ in their view of Ijtihad?
Reactionaries/Traditionalists generally favor the closure of the gate of Ijtihad to preserve past precedents (Taqlid), whereas Modernists and progressives argue for the re-opening of Ijtihad to allow for contemporary rational investigation.
What is the significance of the "pseudospeciation" theory mentioned in the text?
The text uses Erikson’s concept of "pseudospeciation" to explain the historical and psychological tendency of human groups to develop exclusive identities, often accompanied by a sense of superiority over other groups.
How does the paper propose resolving conflicts between secular identity and Islamic belief?
The paper proposes using the Qur'an as the primary "yardstick" for evaluating any new identity-related views, arguing that the Qur'an provides a universal constitution that transcends specific historical or secular trends.
- Citar trabajo
- Dr. Busari Moshood (Autor), 2022, Universalizing the Concept of identity through Islamic Theological Perspectives, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1183758
