Islamic Renaissance seeks to rejuvenate Islamic ideals, practices, and societal structures. Dr. Israr Ahmad’s monograph, “Islamic Renaissance: The Real Task Ahead,” delves into why many Islamic revival movements have fallen short and how to correct these missteps for a true renaissance. In particular, Dr Israr Ahmad argues that the real task facing the Islamic Civilization is to meet the intellectual challenge created by Western academic achievements over the past few centuries. For a copy of the original book in Urdu, together with its English translation, see: Islamic Renaissance: The Real Task Ahead“
1. Global Domination of Western Thought
The Western philosophical dominance has shaped global views, promoting concrete facts and physical phenomena while sidelining spiritual and transcendental concepts. This shift has impacted political, social, and cultural realms worldwide, influencing not just Western societies but also Islamic ones.
2. Western Onslaught on the Islamic World
The Western invasion of the Islamic world was not merely political but also ideological and cultural. The influence of Western ideologies led to the adoption of secularization and materialism within the Islamic world. Early attempts to resist this onslaught ranged from defensive postures to outright compromise.
3. Western Thought’s Influence on Islamic Revival
One of the key issues with contemporary Islamic revival movements is their assimilation of Western ideologies. These movements tend to focus on external aspects of Islam, such as political and social systems, adopting a Western-influenced framework while neglecting the spiritual essence at the heart of Islam. This misunderstanding leads to a superficial interpretation of Islamic principles, often reducing Islam to a set of social and political systems without the necessary spiritual foundation.
4. The Error in Interpretation of Islam
Dr. Ahmad asserts that many revivalist movements have fallen into the trap of secularization and materialism, emphasizing political and societal structures at the expense of spiritual depth. These movements often fail to stress the inner spiritual life that is central to Islamic belief. As a result, the essence of Islam is compromised, with revivalist efforts becoming more about social and political activism than about cultivating a deep, inward connection with God.
5. Revitalization of Faith: The Necessary Precondition
For an Islamic renaissance to be genuine, there must be a revitalization of faith (Iman). This requires moving beyond superficial affirmations of belief to a profound, existential faith. The focus must shift from a materialistic interpretation of Islam to a spiritual one, emphasizing the inner journey and communion with God.
6. A Blueprint for Action
Dr. Ahmad proposes a blueprint for achieving an authentic Islamic renaissance. The first step is establishing an organization dedicated to reviving faith and spreading the Qur’anic message. This step aims to correct the materialistic focus of previous revival movements. The second step involves creating a Qur’anic research academy to foster rigorous academic study while encouraging a deeper spiritual understanding of Islam.
7. Conclusion
Dr. Ahmad’s vision for an Islamic renaissance acknowledges that many revival movements have been compromised by Western thought. To correct this, he advocates for a return to the spiritual core of Islam, emphasizing faith, devotion, and a closer relationship with God. By addressing the shortcomings of previous movements and focusing on spiritual revitalization, a true Islamic renaissance can be realized.
This summary explains how Western thought has influenced Islamic revival movements, leading to a misunderstanding of what is required for a genuine Islamic renaissance. It emphasizes the need for a deeper spiritual connection to correct this misunderstanding and achieve a true revival. For a deeper and detailed discussion, please see the original monograph in urdu (with English translations) at: Islamic Renaissance: The Real Task Ahead.