- Dr Tauseef Ahmad Parray,
Assistant Professor, Islamic Studies,
Government Degree College...
Higher Education Department,
Jammu & Kashmir, INDIA - +91 8899016472 (WhatsApp)
- Islam and Democracy, Modern Islamic Political Thought, Democracy and Islam in muslim-majority countries, Modern Muslim Scholars on Democracy, Islam & Modern Political Thoughts, Islamic Studies, and 11 moreIslam, Pakistan, Islamic History, South Asia, Middle East Politics, Islamic Contemporary Studies, Book Review, Political Islam, Islamic Political Thought, Democracy in Pakistan, and Religion and Politicsedit
- Islam Democracy Modern Islamic Political Thoughtedit
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The review article presents, briefly but comparatively, an analysis and assessment of two newly published English translations of the holy Qur'┐ n, viz. Dr. Peachy and Dr. Al-Johan┘ 's The Qur'┐ n: The Final Book of God - A... more
The review article presents, briefly but comparatively, an analysis and assessment of two newly published English translations of the holy Qur'┐ n, viz. Dr. Peachy and Dr. Al-Johan┘ 's The Qur'┐ n: The Final Book of God - A Clear English Translation of the Glorious Qur'┐ n (2012) published from Saudi Arabia and Prof. Abdur Raheem Kidwai's What is in the Qur'┐ n? Message of the Qur'┐ n in Simple English (2013), published from India. Both are similar in many aspects, and at the same time, both have some unique and distinct features as well. In this article, a comparison of some selected (somehow 'debatable' and 'variedly' translated) verses, from both works, with some other prominent English translations, like A. Y┴ s┴ f'Al┘ , M. M. Pickthall, and M┐ jid Daryab┐ di are provided, to show both the similarities and to highlight the differences between them.
The theme of this essay is to highlight the Western Scholarship on Qur'anic Studies in 21st Century, by presenting a brief assessment and study of the contribution of two prominent Western (non-Muslim) scholars – Jane Dammen McAuliffe... more
The theme of this essay is to highlight the Western Scholarship on Qur'anic Studies in 21st Century, by presenting a brief assessment and study of the contribution of two prominent Western (non-Muslim) scholars – Jane Dammen McAuliffe and Andrew Rippin – to the understanding of Qur'an and its interpretation, or, more precisely to the Qur'anic studies. A succinct and precise introduction of the important works, along with a brief profile of the works and field of expertise of these two Western Scholars of Islam, to the area of Qur'anic Studies is also provided. It also discusses, although briefly, the Western scholarship on Islam historically, with a focus on the preceding and present century. Jane Dammen McAuliffe, an internationally known "scholar of Islamic studies" who specializes in Qur'anic exegesis has extensively written on, and much of her work focuses primarily on, the Qur'an and its interpretation. Andrew Lawrence Rippin, a Canadian schola...
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In contemporary times, the relationship between Islam and democracy –democracy and its Islamic heritage and the process of democratization inMuslim societies, and other related themes – is a hotly debated and discussedtopic. Throughout... more
In contemporary times, the relationship between Islam and democracy –democracy and its Islamic heritage and the process of democratization inMuslim societies, and other related themes – is a hotly debated and discussedtopic. Throughout the Muslim world – from South, Southeast and CentralAsia to Middle East and North Africa – Muslim thinkers have undertakenthe effort of working within and cooperating with existing political regimesand authorities ‒ from republics, monarchies and authoritarian dictatorshipsto pluralistic and relativity homogeneous societies. With the desirefor democratization, along with the continuing resurgence of Islam in a dynamicglobal context, the demand and desire for democracy is widespread.Two of the major developments in the final decades of the twentiethcentury to present are “religious resurgence” and “democratization.” Thedebate over democracy and democratization in the Muslim societies, itsdefinition and fundamentals, has continued for a long time, but, ...
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Since the final decades of 20 century CE and especially in post 9/11 world, the question of the compatibility between Islam and democracy-a hotly debated and discussed issue-has gained an impetus and has highly intensified. There are... more
Since the final decades of 20 century CE and especially in post 9/11 world, the question of the compatibility between Islam and democracy-a hotly debated and discussed issue-has gained an impetus and has highly intensified. There are (mainly) two visions on this theme: (i) those who deny any connection between Islam and democracy; and (ii) those who argue that Islamic tradition contains a number of concepts,
ideals, institutions and values which are essentially democratic (in nature). In this direction, this paper exposes and elucidates how some scholars have employed certain concepts from the Islamic tradition like Shura, Ijtihad, Bay‘ah, Khilafah, Ijma, Maslaha and Ahl al-hall wa al-‘aqd-especially the first three-for conceptualizing a conceivable and feasible, possible and practicable foundation of democracy in Islam. In the final analysis, it is noted that throughout the Muslim world, majority of scholars accept the term ‘democracy’ and insist on consistency and compatibility between Islam and democracy albeit democracy here is conceived with certain qualifications and limits prescribed by Shari‘ah. It argues, by way of conclusion, that although “Islamic democracy” has been discussed very much (in theory), a “practical” Islamic democratic model has yet to emerge. This is still a challenge for Muslim political theorists (particularly) in the 21 century.
ideals, institutions and values which are essentially democratic (in nature). In this direction, this paper exposes and elucidates how some scholars have employed certain concepts from the Islamic tradition like Shura, Ijtihad, Bay‘ah, Khilafah, Ijma, Maslaha and Ahl al-hall wa al-‘aqd-especially the first three-for conceptualizing a conceivable and feasible, possible and practicable foundation of democracy in Islam. In the final analysis, it is noted that throughout the Muslim world, majority of scholars accept the term ‘democracy’ and insist on consistency and compatibility between Islam and democracy albeit democracy here is conceived with certain qualifications and limits prescribed by Shari‘ah. It argues, by way of conclusion, that although “Islamic democracy” has been discussed very much (in theory), a “practical” Islamic democratic model has yet to emerge. This is still a challenge for Muslim political theorists (particularly) in the 21 century.
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Review of 2013 edition of "What is in the Quran? Message of the Quran in Simple English", authored by Abdur Raheem Kidwai and published by New Delhi (India) based Viva Books, 2013. Rather than presenting a literal translation of the... more
Review of 2013 edition of "What is in the Quran? Message of the Quran in Simple English", authored by Abdur Raheem Kidwai and published by New Delhi (India) based Viva Books, 2013. Rather than presenting a literal translation of the Qur’ān, presents and paraphrases, as the sub-title of the work reveals, the “Meaning of the Qur’ān in Simple English” – or in an uncomplicated, unsophisticated and unfussy, easy, simple and straightforward English, while striving to retain its original message. (For more, see https://brill.com/view/journals/jqhs/11/1/article-p106_9.xml)
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Tahir Abbas has been exploring the relationship between British Islam, multiculturalism and Islamic radicalism for more than a decade. In this new publication he develops further some of the ideas found within his 2007 edited volume... more
Tahir Abbas has been exploring the relationship between British Islam, multiculturalism and Islamic radicalism for more than a decade. In this new publication he develops further some of the ideas found within his 2007 edited volume Islamic political radicalism, making five central arguments. First, he suggests that contemporary Islamic radicalism can be traced to strands of early Muslim history (chapters 1 and 2). Second, he argues that post-war Muslim migration to Britain has given rise to significant Muslim social, economic and cultural ...
Research Interests: History, Criminology, Ethnic Studies, Islamic Law, Multiculturalism, and 15 moreEducation, Media Studies, Globalization, International Terrorism, Migration, Islamic Contemporary Studies, Masculinity, Islamic Studies, Muslim Minorities, Migration Studies, Islam, Islamophobia, Counter terrorism, Meda Studies, and Mass Violence
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Abstract: The Islam-democracy theme, a hotly debated topic and a burning issue, has highly intensified from the last few decades, and throughout the world. Several Muslim thinkers and intellectuals have taken strides to shape Muslim... more
Abstract: The Islam-democracy theme, a hotly debated topic and a burning issue, has highly intensified from the last few decades, and throughout the world. Several Muslim thinkers and intellectuals have taken strides to shape Muslim understanding of “Islamic democracy”. Hoping that it will offer a new direction and take this discussion some steps further, this article, addressing the issue of Islam-democracy compatibility in the thought (or/and writings) of two living intellectuals of Indo-Pak subcontinent namely Prof Khurshid Ahmad (b. 1932) ...
The New Voices of Islam is edited by Mehran Kamrava, and is a compilation of writings of fourteen scholars. This book introduces the readers to the concerns and issues of Islam, from the perspectives of çreformisté Muslim thinkers. The... more
The New Voices of Islam is edited by Mehran Kamrava, and is a compilation of writings of fourteen scholars. This book introduces the readers to the concerns and issues of Islam, from the perspectives of çreformisté Muslim thinkers. The volume reveals the richness as well as the limitations of attempts to synthesise Islam and modernity.
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Javanese manuscripts as the legacy of ancestors and poets contain important values related to character education and moral values. Manuscript of Serat Wulang Darmawiya (SWD), for example, promotes character education through laku batin.... more
Javanese manuscripts as the legacy of ancestors and poets contain important values related to character education and moral values. Manuscript of Serat Wulang Darmawiya (SWD), for example, promotes character education through laku batin. The values of character education are fundamental to internalize and implement within the life of Javanese. Javanese poets in the past inherited the noble values through a lot of literary works. This article discusses the values of character education in SWD. Using text-based qualitative research methodology, the values of character education in SWD were analyzed with content analysis. Serat teaches values of character education regarding the importance of breastfeeding as a process of building an intimate relationship between children and parents (mother). At the same time, it also explains the importance of communication between children and parents during education process, the principles of child education, and the role model and advice from the...
Is Islam compatible with democratization in the context of Asian cultures? To address this important issue, a series of books have been published in the English language from 1990s (and especially from 2000s). Most of these books deal... more
Is Islam compatible with democratization in the context of Asian cultures? To address this important issue, a series of books have been published in the English language from 1990s (and especially from 2000s). Most of these books deal with the relationship between Islam, Muslims, and democratization with a sub-region in Asia: South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia. While others deal with same issues with a focus on the future, very few deal with the relationship between Islam, Muslims, and democratization in the context of Asian cultures from the perspectives of theory and empirical country studies from all three Asian regions. In this backdrop, this essay—by making an assessment and review of the literature, produced in the last decade, on this theme—focuses on the compatibility paradigm in South and South East Asian Muslim societies at the empirical level, with a focus on Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Indonesia. To achieve this objective, the essay follows the analytic...
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Innovation in Islam - consisting of twelve chapters, eleven essays by a multidisciplinary group of leading scholars from across the world and a descriptive introductory chapter by the editor - offers in-depth analyses of the history,... more
Innovation in Islam - consisting of twelve chapters, eleven essays by a multidisciplinary group of leading scholars from across the world and a descriptive introductory chapter by the editor - offers in-depth analyses of the history, meaning and context, causes, consequences, and obstacles to innovation in Islam.
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Introducing Islam is the result of the author’s more than thirty years of teachingand research about Islam within the context of religious studies. Thiscomprehensive and concise textbook is an ideal introduction to Islam thatseeks to... more
Introducing Islam is the result of the author’s more than thirty years of teachingand research about Islam within the context of religious studies. Thiscomprehensive and concise textbook is an ideal introduction to Islam thatseeks to present it and its culture, as found within different Muslim countries,in a sympathetic way.From its early environment and origins in the life and career ofMuhammad (pbuh), it traces the history of Islam through its classicalexpressions and up to its contemporary interactions with the West. Devotinga chapter to each important topic (e.g., the Qur’an, Islamic law, Islamic theologyand philosophy, and Sufism) and to studies of Islam in individualcountries (e.g., Turkey, Iran, Egypt, and Indonesia), it explores Islamiccivilization through discussions of Islamic art and culture as well as communityrituals. Consisting of a preface, an introduction, and three parts(divided into nineteen chapters [2-20]), the book is illustrated with ten mapsand twenty-eight fi...
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A New Introduction to Islam is an excellent undergraduate textbook presentinga thorough history of Islam. It introduces students to the historyand development of Islamic studies as a discipline—showing how Islamicstudies has shaped our... more
A New Introduction to Islam is an excellent undergraduate textbook presentinga thorough history of Islam. It introduces students to the historyand development of Islamic studies as a discipline—showing how Islamicstudies has shaped our understanding of Islam—and it also examineshow the vibrant religious culture of the Near East produced a unique andbrilliant intellectual and religious tradition spanning the fields of Islamiclaw, theology, philosophy, and mysticism. In addition, it shows the waysin which the Islamic tradition has enriched the world, and in turn, how ithas been enriched by interaction with other civilizations. And against thebackground of social and cultural contexts that extend from North Africato South and Southeast Asia, it also considers the opportunities and challengesfacing Muslims today and provides a new and illuminating perspectiveof the development of Muslim beliefs and practices ...
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The People Reloaded ‒ an anthology of the multiplicity of voices, belongingto various perspectives, fields, and geographical locations throughoutthe world, and primarily and principally in the Iran and Iranian diasporas‒ is edited by... more
The People Reloaded ‒ an anthology of the multiplicity of voices, belongingto various perspectives, fields, and geographical locations throughoutthe world, and primarily and principally in the Iran and Iranian diasporas‒ is edited by Nader Hashemi (of the University of Denver) and DannyPostel (the editor of The Common Review). The book is a definitive selectedcollection of fifty-three writings and political analyses written by diverse voices interested in and engaged with the struggle for democracyin Iran. The People Reloaded is comprised of key documents, statements,interviews, letters, and essays ‒ and it seeks to capture “an important momentin Iran’s history (xxii).”This book is a rich, consistently engaging anthology that makes animportant effort to provide “an intellectual and political roadmap,” whichhelps the reader in understanding the tumultuous events that have rockedthe Islamic Republic since June 2009 ‒ a period when the struggle forthe democracy in Iran underwent a “mom...
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Books Reviewed: Gerhard Bowering, et. al., eds., The Princeton Encyclopediaof Islamic Political Thought (Princeton and Oxford: Princeton UniversityPress, 2013); John L. Esposito and Emad El-Din Shahin, eds., The OxfordHandbook of Islam... more
Books Reviewed: Gerhard Bowering, et. al., eds., The Princeton Encyclopediaof Islamic Political Thought (Princeton and Oxford: Princeton UniversityPress, 2013); John L. Esposito and Emad El-Din Shahin, eds., The OxfordHandbook of Islam and Politics (New York: Oxford University Press, 2013);Emad El-Din Shahin, ed., Oxford Encyclopedia of Islam and Politics, 2 vols.(Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014).During last two decades or so, many encyclopedias have been published onIslam and its history – classical to contemporary – with a modern approach,among them Richard Martin’s two-volume Encyclopedia of Islam and theMuslim World 1 and John L. Esposito’s Oxford Encyclopedia of the ModernIslamic World.2 Other encyclopedic works focus on specific eras, like JosefMeri’s Medieval Islamic Civilization.3 One more category is that of Islam andpolitics, political Islam, and/or the various facets, complexities, and intricaciesof Islamic movements. This essay focuses on three works that discuss t...
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From the early twentieth century onward, many Muslim thinkershave explored the prospects for establishing an “Islamic democracy”by defining, discussing, and debating the relationship andcompatibility (and similarity) between “Islamic... more
From the early twentieth century onward, many Muslim thinkershave explored the prospects for establishing an “Islamic democracy”by defining, discussing, and debating the relationship andcompatibility (and similarity) between “Islamic political concepts”and the “notions and positive features of democracy.”They interpret the Islamization of democracy on the basis of amodern reinterpretation of several key Islamic political concepts– mainly khilafah and shura – to provide an effective foundationfor understanding the (contemporary) relationship between Islamand democracy. The majority of scholars in the Muslim worldcontinue to throw light on the “modern reflection on democracy,”thereby pushing this century-long search ever forward.
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This paper examines the maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah discourse with special reference to the contribution of Muhammad Nejatullah Siddiqi (b.1931), India’s renowned Islamic economist and scholar. It describes and analyzes his approach and... more
This paper examines the maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah discourse with special reference to the contribution of Muhammad Nejatullah Siddiqi (b.1931), India’s renowned Islamic economist and scholar. It describes and analyzes his approach and methodology in debating, discussing, and addressing this discourse, especially its applications and understanding as well as its position and perspective vis-à-vis the contemporary issues facing the global Muslim community. The primary focus is his stance on the modern-day concerns related to and discussed within the paradigm of the maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah discourse (e.g., ijtihād’s importance and scope, Muslim minorities, and issues ranging from globalization to weapons of mass destruction) within the context of Urdu literature.
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Mohammed Abed al-Jabri (1935-2010) is one of the most original Arab philosophers, thinkers, and social theorist of recent times. Al-Jabri, who held the post of Professor of Philosophy at University of Rabat (Moroc- co), is the author of... more
Mohammed Abed al-Jabri (1935-2010) is one of the most original Arab philosophers, thinkers, and social theorist of recent times. Al-Jabri, who held the post of Professor of Philosophy at University of Rabat (Moroc- co), is the author of over 30 books—mostly on Arab Islamic thought—of which the best-known are works like Critique of Arab Reason (1984-2001, 4 vols.), Arab Political Reason (1990), An Introduction to the Noble Qur’an (2006), and Democracy, Human Rights and Law in Islamic Thought (2009). Though al-Jabri is “one of the most original and multifaceted philosophers and intellectuals of our time” (p. xii), commands considerable influence on the Arab world, and is regarded as significant and influential as the Irani- an Abdolkarim Soroush, the Egyptian Hasan Hanafi, and the French Mo- hammed Arkoun, he has remained insufficiently recognized in the West or Euro-American scholarship. The volume under review, first of its kind in English, is thus dedicated to exploring and highlig...
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Pakistan, the second most populous Muslim country after Indonesia, came into existence on 14th August, 1947, after the division of ‘British ruled’ India (into India and Pakistan). From its inception to present, Pakistan covers a... more
Pakistan, the second most populous Muslim country after Indonesia, came into existence on 14th August, 1947, after the division of ‘British ruled’ India (into India and Pakistan). From its inception to present, Pakistan covers a tumultuous history of over seven decades (1947-2019). Among the South Asian countries, no quantum of scholarship has been produced on any country—its history, religion (and religious ideology), politics, society, economy, and other inter-related issue—than Pakistan. This has continued in the last as well as present century. From 2010 onwards, numerous works have been published on religion, politics, military, and other aspects of Pakistan. This review essay, in this framework, presents an assessment of three (3) important works, published in between 2012 and 2014, so that to get clues of the various aspects of Pakistan. Following a descriptive-cum-comparative methodological approach, the books assessed and examined are: Ian Talbot, Pakistan: A New History (2...
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“Fiqh al-Aqalliyyat”—the jurisprudence of Muslim minorities—is a legal doctrine introduced in the 1990s by Taha Jabir Al-Alwani and Yusuf Al-Qaradawi which asserts that Muslim minorities, especially those residing in the West, deserve a... more
“Fiqh al-Aqalliyyat”—the jurisprudence of Muslim minorities—is a legal doctrine introduced in the 1990s by Taha Jabir Al-Alwani and Yusuf Al-Qaradawi which asserts that Muslim minorities, especially those residing in the West, deserve a special new legal discipline to address their unique religious needs that differ from those of Muslims residing in Islamic countries. Developed as a means of assisting Muslim minorities in the West, it deals with problems Muslims face in countries where they are minorities and focuses more on ...
Research Interests: Sociology, Law, Jurisprudence, Islam, Research papers, and 3 moreFiqh, Muslim Minority Affairs, and Doctrine
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With the beginning of 2011, humanity entered its second decade of the third millennium (21st Century), but the world is still facing the new claims, issues and challenges and disquieting apprehensions. The intellectuals, both Muslims and... more
With the beginning of 2011, humanity entered its second decade of the third millennium (21st Century), but the world is still facing the new claims, issues and challenges and disquieting apprehensions. The intellectuals, both Muslims and Non-Muslims, in their own capacities, have contributed (in the recent past and present) and are contributing to various challenges and issues, agitating humanity on one hand, and having direct concern with the Muslim Ummah. Some of these challenges and issues include (such–izations as) ...
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Abstract: Muslim modernists, from Middle East to South Asia, asserted the need to 'reinterpret and reapply'the principles and ideals of Islam, formulating new responses to the challenges of Europe and of modern life. In South... more
Abstract: Muslim modernists, from Middle East to South Asia, asserted the need to 'reinterpret and reapply'the principles and ideals of Islam, formulating new responses to the challenges of Europe and of modern life. In South Asia, it was Sir Sayyid and Muhammad Iqbal who pioneered the modernist visions and agendas, during the 19 and 20 centuries. This paper attempts to make an assessment and analysis of the response of th th these two South Asian thinkers to modernity and their contribution to 'Islamic modernism'. Sir ...
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The debate over the relationship between democracy and Islam and its socio-political concepts and institutions, values, positive features and notions has continued for a long time and has gained an impetus from the final decades of 20th... more
The debate over the relationship between democracy and Islam and its socio-political concepts and institutions, values, positive features and notions has continued for a long time and has gained an impetus from the final decades of 20th century CE. Democracy in Islam is strongly debated, defined and discussed by the diversity of voices–proponents, opponents, Islamists, Islamicists, modernists/reformists, and others–ranging from those who argue that Islamic system of government contains a number of concepts and values which are ...
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Abstract: Since the final decades of 20 century CE and especially in post 9/11 world, the question of th compatibility between Islam and democracy-a hotly debated and discussed issue-has gained an impetus and has highly intensified. There... more
Abstract: Since the final decades of 20 century CE and especially in post 9/11 world, the question of th compatibility between Islam and democracy-a hotly debated and discussed issue-has gained an impetus and has highly intensified. There are (mainly) two visions on this theme:(i) those who deny any connection between Islam and democracy; and (ii) those who argue that Islamic tradition contains a number of concepts, ideals, institutions and values which are essentially democratic (in nature). In this direction, this paper exposes ...
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Writing on Islamand things Islamic has a long history in the West, but has seen a growth in 20thcentury and an unprecedented surgeafter the events of 9/11 (2001)—both because of Islam’s ‘global’ spread and ‘growing global impact’ as well... more
Writing on Islamand things Islamic has a long history in the West, but has seen a growth in 20thcentury and an unprecedented surgeafter the events of 9/11 (2001)—both because of Islam’s ‘global’ spread and ‘growing global impact’ as well as its diverse interpretations and explanations. Among this plethora of literature, a major portion is devoted to the Islamic historyand its inter-related aspects, in the form of ‘introductory’ reference books.These are primarily targeted for (under) graduate student community as well as for the general people interested in knowing about the faith and beliefs of 1.6 billion Muslims, living globally. This study, in this context, attempts to present an evaluation and brief content-analysis of four (4) latest works by the Western academics (mostly ‘Islamicists’) on Islamic history, published in between 2009 and 2016 (and referring to their latest editions as well). Theoretical in nature, following both descriptive and comparative methodological approac...
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This paper throws light on IJTIHAD, the dynamic Islamic legal tool, in the light of views of contemporary scholars, and highlights its role as a tool for Reformation.
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In the current academic discourses on Islam, one of the most fiercely debated and discussed topics is ‘women in Islam’. There are numerous ‘misconceptions’ and ‘misinterpretations’ related to their status or place, role, and contribution.... more
In the current academic discourses on Islam, one of the most fiercely debated and discussed topics is ‘women in Islam’. There are numerous ‘misconceptions’ and ‘misinterpretations’ related to their status or place, role, and contribution. Numerous works, written from different perspectives, deliberate on this topic, which appears as a ‘never-ending’ debate. A latest addition to the literature on portraying women in Islam in its real perspective is the book under review. Written by Abdur Raheem Kidwai (Professor of English and Director, K.A. Nizami Centre for Quranic Studies, Aligarh Muslim University, India), it is a succinct, slim, and simple volume which highlights the rights, status, role, and contribution of Muslim women in its real context as well as demystifies and deconstructs the main misconceptions and misconstructions on this vital but sensitive issue.
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Dr Tauseef Ahmad Parray, “Ihsan as the basis of ‘Good Governance’ GREATER KASHMIR, March 5, 2020, URL: https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/opinion/book-review-ihsan-as-the-basis-of-good-governance/ [Book Review: M. A. Muqtedar Khan,... more
Dr Tauseef Ahmad Parray, “Ihsan as the basis of ‘Good Governance’ GREATER KASHMIR, March 5, 2020, URL: https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/opinion/book-review-ihsan-as-the-basis-of-good-governance/
[Book Review: M. A. Muqtedar Khan, Islam and Good Governance: A Political Philosophy of Ihsan (2019)]
[Book Review: M. A. Muqtedar Khan, Islam and Good Governance: A Political Philosophy of Ihsan (2019)]
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‘Islamism’ is a complex phenomenon which is made more complex by the varied definitions given to it. A new addition to the existing literature on Islamism is Mehdi Mozaffari’s Islamism: A New Totalitarianism. In this book, Mozaffari... more
‘Islamism’ is a complex phenomenon which is made more complex by the varied definitions given to it. A new addition to the existing literature on Islamism is Mehdi Mozaffari’s Islamism: A New Totalitarianism. In this book, Mozaffari attempts to discuss the various facets and aspects of this “highly complex and multifaceted phenomenon” of Islamism (p. 9).The major contribution of Mozaffari’s Islamism lies in its comparative analysis and in its treatment of Islamism as an ideology in comparison to the Western ‘isms’ and in deliberating on the genesis, development, scope, and significance of this crucial and multifaceted, but complex, phenomenon of Islamism.
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Discussing and analyzing in a historical perspective, the “rebirth” and the “story of fall and rise” of the Islamic state, the main thesis put forth in 'The Fall and Rise of the Islamic State' is s the “fall of the Islamic state and its... more
Discussing and analyzing in a historical perspective, the “rebirth” and the “story of fall and rise” of the Islamic state, the main thesis put forth in 'The Fall and Rise of the Islamic State' is s the “fall of the Islamic state and its unlikely rebirth”. It is an insightful, piercing, and perceptive book, with many new, original and fresh ideas and arguments and with opinions and observations that are both bold and audacious, as well as novel and risky, about the rebirth and rise of Islamic state in the modern Muslim world.
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The “rebirth” of the Islamic state after its fall in 1924 CE, both in ‘symbolic and practical terms’ is the ‘story of fall and rise’ (not narrated but) discussed and analyzed, historically, in this book by Feldman—from the Prophetic... more
The “rebirth” of the Islamic state after its fall in 1924 CE, both in ‘symbolic and practical terms’ is the ‘story of fall and rise’ (not narrated but) discussed and analyzed, historically, in this book by Feldman—from the Prophetic to the Ottoman periods, and from the final decades of the twentieth century to the recent so-called “Arab Spring”. This book is an insightful work with many original and fresh ideas and arguments about the rebirth and rise of the Islamic state in the modern Muslim world which has gained momentum after the “Arab Spring”.
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This book is primarily focused on a rigorous attempt to understand where, how and why “Islamism” emerges within the wider framework of Islamic discourse, and what accounts for the often vastly different political agendas,... more
This book is primarily focused on a rigorous attempt to understand where, how and why “Islamism” emerges within the wider framework of Islamic discourse, and what accounts for the often vastly different political agendas, tactical choices and strategic objectives of individual Islamist groups. The primary objective of the book is to shed light on the nature of Islamism by examining the ‘complex interplay of diversity and unity’, and at the same time, re-examining critically the received view within Western scholarship. A welcome addition to this most interesting and diversely debated topic, this book a valuable source for those interested in a critical exposition of Islamism.
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'The Oxford Handbook of Islam and Politics'—written by prominent scholars and specialists in the field—is a single-volume comprehensive sourcebook that provides a comprehensive analysis of what we know and where we are in the study of... more
'The Oxford Handbook of Islam and Politics'—written by prominent scholars and specialists in the field—is a single-volume comprehensive sourcebook that provides a comprehensive analysis of what we know and where we are in the study of political Islam; and provides a comprehensive analysis and wide ranging exploration of various contours of the study of political Islam, relationship between Islam and politics, Muslim intellectuals, activists, and ideologues of political Islam, Islamic movements around the world. The editors have done a splendid job by bringing out such an all-inclusive and rich volume. This is a comprehensive, richly informative and innovative wide-ranging, first reference work on various dimensions of contemporary Islamic political thought. It is a must-have and must-read.
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"Reflecting Pakistan’s increasing multifaceted problems, the book under review presents the history of Pakistan of the last six decades. It highlights the major turning points that have shaped Pakistan’s “historical travails”. It... more
"Reflecting Pakistan’s increasing multifaceted problems, the book under review presents the history of Pakistan of the last six decades. It highlights the major turning points that have shaped Pakistan’s “historical travails”. It emphasizes, in particular, the “increased entrenchment” of the army in Pakistan’s politics and economy; the issues surrounding the role of Islam in public life; the tensions between central and local and democratic urges; and the impact of the geo-political influences on internal development.
The book is a lucid and comprehensive exploration of Pakistan’s past and present which highlights solutions for future prospects. It is an excellent contribution and a must-read for all those interested in the history, culture, society and security of Pakistan."
The book is a lucid and comprehensive exploration of Pakistan’s past and present which highlights solutions for future prospects. It is an excellent contribution and a must-read for all those interested in the history, culture, society and security of Pakistan."
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"The New Voices of Islam is edited by Mehran Kamrava, and is a compilation of writings of fourteen scholars. This book introduces the readers to the concerns and issues of Islam, from the perspectives of “reformist” Muslim thinkers. The... more
"The New Voices of Islam is edited by Mehran Kamrava, and is a compilation of writings of fourteen scholars. This book introduces the readers to the concerns and issues of Islam, from the perspectives of “reformist” Muslim thinkers. The volume reveals the richness as well as the limitations of attempts to synthesize Islam and modernity.
The editor of the volume deserves special appreciation for bringing out this commendable work to a wider audience. This is a must read book for all those interested in hearing the new voices of Islam in general and for the students of modern Islamic thought in particular."
The editor of the volume deserves special appreciation for bringing out this commendable work to a wider audience. This is a must read book for all those interested in hearing the new voices of Islam in general and for the students of modern Islamic thought in particular."
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"Contesting the Saudi state is a very interesting book as ethnography of consent and contestation among contemporary Saudis who debate politics and religion. The book examines the Wahhabiyya sect in the 21st century as a contested... more
"Contesting the Saudi state is a very interesting book as ethnography of consent and contestation among contemporary Saudis who debate politics and religion. The book examines the Wahhabiyya sect in the 21st century as a contested intellectual, religious and political field, which is currently appropriated by several actors. The book deals with those aspects which are relevant to the political debate that continues in Saudi Arabia rather than as a theological body of religious knowledge produced over the last 250 years. Thus, it is not an exposition of the main teachings of the movement. From the opening pages of the introduction until the last sentence of the conclusion this book is well written, authoritative and insightful. This is a unique and well-timed study."
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Book Review of H A Hellyer's 2009 book, Muslims of Europe: The “Other” Europeans, published in Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs Volume 31, Issue 2, 2011, pages 293-295, DOI:10.1080/13602004.2011.583524
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Intellectuals and Civil Society in the Middle East is based on papers presented at a workshop at the European University Institute, Florence, Italy in March, 2008. The volume, edited by Mohammed Bamyeh, is wide-ranging and provides a... more
Intellectuals and Civil Society in the Middle East is based on papers presented at a workshop at the European University Institute, Florence, Italy in March, 2008. The volume, edited by Mohammed Bamyeh, is wide-ranging and provides a comprehensive analysis of the social role of intellectuals in the Middle East. The analysis made in the chapters of the book presents a deep, insightful, and perceptive examination of the role of intellectuals in politics, culture, and society in the Middle East.
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The New Voices of Islam is edited by Mehran Kamrava, and is a compilation of writings of fourteen scholars. This book introduces the readers to the concerns and issues of Islam, from the perspectives of çreformisté Muslim thinkers. The... more
The New Voices of Islam is edited by Mehran Kamrava, and is a compilation of writings of fourteen scholars. This book introduces the readers to the concerns and issues of Islam, from the perspectives of çreformisté Muslim thinkers. The volume reveals the richness as well as the limitations of attempts to synthesise Islam and modernity.
The book under review, Islam, the State, and the Political Authority (edited by Asma Afsaruddin), is a collection of 12 essays and an “Introduction” (by the editor). Divided into two parts, Part I, “Medieval Section” (chapters 1-6) and... more
The book under review, Islam, the State, and the Political Authority (edited by Asma Afsaruddin), is a collection of 12 essays and an “Introduction” (by the editor). Divided into two parts, Part I, “Medieval Section” (chapters 1-6) and Part II, “Modern section” (chapters 7-12), highlight, collectively, the “temporality” of the discussions concerning specific aspects of the Islamic political tradition(s). It offers rich scholarly studies that challenge the view concerning the assumed monolithic ‘Islamic State’ and a single model of political authority, “theocratic caliphate”, by investigating both Sunni and Shi‘i political literature, and by combining both medieval and modern theories and theorists. The book is broad in scope and diverse in themes, and thus is a welcome addition to the existing scholarship on the relationship between Islam and political authority, and will prove very useful and helpful for those interested in the Islamic political thought (in general) and for those knowing the various complexities and trends Islam and politics (in particular).
"The Prophet of Mercy from the 'All Merciful'": This article was published on the occasion of Milad 2022 in KASHMIR OBSERVER (a leading English daily from Srinagar, J&K). It argues that "Prophet (pbuh) devoted all his life to the... more
"The Prophet of Mercy from the 'All Merciful'": This article was published on the occasion of Milad 2022 in KASHMIR OBSERVER (a leading English daily from Srinagar, J&K). It argues that "Prophet (pbuh) devoted all his life to the realization of his mission", the mission of connecting the humans with their Creator.
https://kashmirobserver.net/2022/10/08/the-prophet-of-mercy-from-the-all-merciful/
https://kashmirobserver.net/2022/10/08/the-prophet-of-mercy-from-the-all-merciful/
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In this review article, an assessment of a recently published book, "Non Violent Activism in Islam: Message of Abul Kalam Azad" authored by Hayat Alvi (Associate Professor in the National Security Affairs Department at the U.S. Naval War... more
In this review article, an assessment of a recently published book, "Non Violent Activism in Islam: Message of Abul Kalam Azad" authored by Hayat Alvi (Associate Professor in the National Security Affairs Department at the U.S. Naval War College, USA) is presented. It argues that Hayat Alvi's work makes a substantial contribution and she rightly argues that focusing on building awareness about "nonviolent aspects of Islam in today's environment is equally invaluable".
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Blending Tradition with Modernity (Evaluating the Contribution of Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan). It highlights that "Emphasizing a ‘rationalist’ approach to Islam and to religious matters, Sir Sayyid believed that there is no contradiction... more
Blending Tradition with Modernity (Evaluating the Contribution of Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan). It highlights that "Emphasizing a ‘rationalist’ approach to Islam and to religious matters, Sir Sayyid believed that there is no contradiction between Word of God (Qur’an) and Work of God (Nature)".
URL for the full article is here: https://www.greaterkashmir.com/editorial-page-2/blending-tradition-with-modernity
URL for the full article is here: https://www.greaterkashmir.com/editorial-page-2/blending-tradition-with-modernity
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This essay, mainly based on Anders Strindberg and Mats Wärn's Islamism: Religion, Radicalization, and Resistance (Polity Press, 2012), explores the emergence and establishment of 'Islamism'. Demarcated differently and debated variedly,... more
This essay, mainly based on Anders Strindberg and Mats Wärn's Islamism: Religion, Radicalization, and Resistance (Polity Press, 2012), explores the emergence and establishment of 'Islamism'. Demarcated differently and debated variedly, “Islamism” is regarded as a political ideology, an outcome of the current form of political Islam, and thus a “multidimensional paradox”, which is "identity and ideology, process and objective, tactic and strategy, as well as reality and ideal"
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In this article, I propose that the "Stability of democracy and democratic institutions in Pakistan is possible only with the smooth and proper functioning of the government-in-power"
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"Taking into consideration the ‘spirit’ rather than merely the ‘process’ of democracy, it is feasible to propose that the relationship between Islam and democracy, is not inherently problematic"
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It argues that (i) the “problem of religion’s relationship with democracy is not an exclusively Muslim phenomenon” but one of those problems that other religions and religious traditions, Christianity in particular, “have had to struggle... more
It argues that (i) the “problem of religion’s relationship with democracy is not an exclusively Muslim phenomenon” but one of those problems that other religions and religious traditions, Christianity in particular, “have had to struggle with” in the past;
(ii), taking into consideration the ‘spirit’ rather than merely the ‘process’ of democracy, it is feasible and reasonable to propose that the relationship between Islam and democracy is not inherently problematic even by western standards.
(ii), taking into consideration the ‘spirit’ rather than merely the ‘process’ of democracy, it is feasible and reasonable to propose that the relationship between Islam and democracy is not inherently problematic even by western standards.
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Research Interests:
There have been various attempts, in the recent past and in the present as well, both by Muslims and non-Muslims scholars, to trace the roots of Pluralism in Islam—its tradition and history, and in its sources (Text and Traditions) as... more
There have been various attempts, in the recent past and in the present as well, both by Muslims and non-Muslims scholars, to trace the roots of Pluralism in Islam—its tradition and history, and in its sources (Text and Traditions) as well. In this direction, the present article is an attempt to throw some light on the term Pluralism in Islamic perspective and to trace its roots both in Text (i.e., the Holy Qur’an), Tradition (Ahadith/traditions of the Prophet), with the support of some the modern (re)interpretations.
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Taking into consideration the ‘spirit’ rather than merely the ‘process’ of democracy, it is feasible and reasonable to propose that the relationship between Islam and democracy, “complex and nuanced as it may be, is not inherently... more
Taking into consideration the ‘spirit’ rather than merely the ‘process’ of democracy, it is feasible and reasonable to propose that the relationship between Islam and democracy, “complex and nuanced as it may be, is not inherently problematic even by western standards”—although no one is arguing for the wholesale adoption of western democracy.
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Malek Bennabi (1905-73)—a 20th century remarkable Muslim influential thinkers and social philosophers of the post-World War II period Algeria—occupies a significant place in the history of modern Islamic religious thought. His most... more
Malek Bennabi (1905-73)—a 20th century remarkable Muslim influential thinkers and social philosophers of the post-World War II period Algeria—occupies a significant place in the history of modern Islamic religious thought. His most important concern throughout his life was the adaptation of Islamic values to modernity. In his La Democratie en Islam (Islam and Democracy), Bennabi emphasized in particular the compatibility of Islam and democracy, and argued that Islam provides true democracy, for it constitutes a synthesis between political democracy and social democracy—a “genuine democracy”.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
In Pakistan democracy and democratic institutions, in their real spirit, will reach the level of stability and smooth success after holding three to five consecutive fair elections and of course with smooth functioning of... more
In Pakistan democracy and democratic institutions, in their real spirit, will reach the level of stability and smooth success after holding three to five consecutive fair elections and of course with smooth functioning of governments-in-power. And as the second consecutive democratic regime in post-Musharraf era is already in progress (with Nawaz Sharif as PM and Mamnoon Hussian as President), Pakistan will be on the path of a successful and “stable” democracy in next 10 to 15 years. It is hoped that if it goes on with same smoothness and normality, then by the year(s) 2025-30 Pakistan will be, optimistically, a successful Democratic Muslim Republican Country.
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"Throughout the world, the majority of modernist or reformist Muslim intellectuals accept the term democracy and insist on consistency and compatibility between Islam and democracy with a reinterpretation of key Islamic political concepts... more
"Throughout the world, the majority of modernist or reformist Muslim intellectuals accept the term democracy and insist on consistency and compatibility between Islam and democracy with a reinterpretation of key Islamic political concepts and values.
--- Taking into consideration the ‘spirit’ rather than merely the ‘process’ of democracy, it is feasible and reasonable to propose that the relationship between Islam and democracy, “complex and nuanced as it may be, is not inherently problematic even by western standards.” But, at the same time, no one is arguing for its wholesale adoption of western democracy; and thus, it is safe to argue that while there are important and profound differences between Islam and democracy, at the same time, “a synthesis of sorts is eminently possible” between the two. "
Read full article here;
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/opinion/14-Apr-2014/theoretical-perspectives-on-the-islam-democracy-discourse
--- Taking into consideration the ‘spirit’ rather than merely the ‘process’ of democracy, it is feasible and reasonable to propose that the relationship between Islam and democracy, “complex and nuanced as it may be, is not inherently problematic even by western standards.” But, at the same time, no one is arguing for its wholesale adoption of western democracy; and thus, it is safe to argue that while there are important and profound differences between Islam and democracy, at the same time, “a synthesis of sorts is eminently possible” between the two. "
Read full article here;
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/opinion/14-Apr-2014/theoretical-perspectives-on-the-islam-democracy-discourse
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This article attempts, in its own small way, to make a brief assessment of the debate over Turkey`s role as a model, and the process of democratization as one of the most significant elements of this model. Within the context of a renewed... more
This article attempts, in its own small way, to make a brief assessment of the debate over Turkey`s role as a model, and the process of democratization as one of the most significant elements of this model. Within the context of a renewed interest in the subject in general, the relevance of the Turkish experience in democratization to the process of political reform in the Arab and Muslim world has become a focus of debate. While Turkey is promoted by some as a model for Islamic countries, others have argued that its experience is irrelevant to the issues of democratization in the Middle East.
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Abstract: The Islam-democracy theme, a hotly debated topic and a burning issue, has highly intensified from the last few decades, and throughout the world. Several Muslim thinkers and intellectuals have taken strides to shape Muslim... more
Abstract: The Islam-democracy theme, a hotly debated topic and a burning issue, has highly intensified from the last few decades, and throughout the world. Several Muslim thinkers and intellectuals have taken strides to shape Muslim understanding of “Islamic democracy”. Hoping that it will offer a new direction and take this discussion some steps further, this article, addressing the issue of Islam-democracy compatibility in the thought (or/and writings) of two living intellectuals of Indo-Pak subcontinent namely Prof Khurshid Ahmad (b.
The concept of Shura (mutual consultation)—an explicit injunction occurring three times in the Qur’an, each in a different form: as Tashawur (2: 233), as Shawirhum (3: 159), and as Shura (42:38)—is one of the basic principles having... more
The concept of Shura (mutual consultation)—an explicit injunction occurring three times in the Qur’an, each in a different form: as Tashawur (2: 233), as Shawirhum (3: 159), and as Shura (42:38)—is one of the basic principles having important implications for social and political theory. In the tafsir literature, there are diverse views regarding the nature and context, importance and significance, framework and structure, and above all function and application of Shura, as a concept and as an institution.
This paper, in this direction, offers a comparative study of the Shura: Texts, Contexts, and meanings in the Qur’an, its diverse interpretations and varied readings by the modern Mufasirun of the Sub-Continent, mainly in the exegesis of Mufti Muhammad Shafi (1896-1976), Mawlana Abul Kalam Azad (1888-1958), Mawlana Syed Abu Ala Mawdudi (1903-1979), Amin Ahsan Islahi (1904-1997), and Abdul Majid Daryabadi (1892–1977).
This paper, in this direction, offers a comparative study of the Shura: Texts, Contexts, and meanings in the Qur’an, its diverse interpretations and varied readings by the modern Mufasirun of the Sub-Continent, mainly in the exegesis of Mufti Muhammad Shafi (1896-1976), Mawlana Abul Kalam Azad (1888-1958), Mawlana Syed Abu Ala Mawdudi (1903-1979), Amin Ahsan Islahi (1904-1997), and Abdul Majid Daryabadi (1892–1977).
In this presentation [delivered in Islamic Research Institute (IRI), International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI), Pakistan, dated: Thu/19th June, 2014] I pointed out that in the tafsir literature, there are diverse views... more
In this presentation [delivered in Islamic Research Institute (IRI), International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI), Pakistan, dated: Thu/19th June, 2014] I pointed out that in the tafsir literature, there are diverse views regarding the nature and context, importance and significance, framework and structure, and above all function and application of Shura ( or mutual mutual consultation—an explicit injunction occurring three times in the Qur’an: as Tashawur (2: 233), as Shawirhum (3: 159), and as Shura (42:38)] as a concept and as an institution.
It offers a comparative study of the Shura: Texts, Contexts, and meanings in the Qur’an, its diverse interpretations and varied readings by the modern Mufasirun of the Sub-Continent, mainly in the exegesis of Mufti Muhammad Shafi (1896-1976), Mawlana Abul Kalam Azad (1888-1958), Mawlana Syed Abu Ala Mawdudi (1903-1979), Amin Ahsan Islahi (1904-1997), and Abdul Majid Daryabadi (1892–1977).
It offers a comparative study of the Shura: Texts, Contexts, and meanings in the Qur’an, its diverse interpretations and varied readings by the modern Mufasirun of the Sub-Continent, mainly in the exegesis of Mufti Muhammad Shafi (1896-1976), Mawlana Abul Kalam Azad (1888-1958), Mawlana Syed Abu Ala Mawdudi (1903-1979), Amin Ahsan Islahi (1904-1997), and Abdul Majid Daryabadi (1892–1977).
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This book starts with the prevailing idea of a conflicting relationship between Islam and the Western concept of democracy, both in theory and in practice. With this backdrop, the author addresses the crucial question-Is Islam compatible... more
This book starts with the prevailing idea of a conflicting relationship between Islam and the Western concept of democracy, both in theory and in practice. With this backdrop, the author addresses the crucial question-Is Islam compatible with democracy? The book offers very useful discussions in framing the contemporary debates surrounding Islam and democracy, treads through diverse theoretical Islamic texts like the 'Quran' and 'Sunnah', discusses the historical evolution of the concept of Shura-the primary source of democratic ethics in Islam, provides an assessment of the views and visions of some selected Muslim scholars (from 19th to 21st centuries) on Islam-democracy compatibility, and examines the elements of compatibility between Islam and democracy without ignoring the basic differences that exist between the Western approach to democracy and Islamic political thought.
More details are available at
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/islam-and-democracy-in-the-21st-century-9789391050337?cc=in&lang=en&
More details are available at
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/islam-and-democracy-in-the-21st-century-9789391050337?cc=in&lang=en&