Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization (Mar 2012)
RECONSTRUCTION OF HUMANITIES IN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE
Abstract
Many Western post-modern philosophers agree with the view that human itiesor social sciences are not value-neutral but contain the values of the society in which they are nourished and developed. They are the productof the worldview and epistemology in which that society believes. Thus humanities developed in the West are logically the product of the Western worldview based on Humanism, Secularism, Capitalism and Scientism, etc. which contradict the Muslim worldview. As such, Western social sciences do not suit Muslim society and are rather harmful to it; it is the duty of the Muslim governments and academicians to use them only after reconstructing them in the Islamic perspective. Educationists in Pakistan have been alive to this issue in spite of the fact that most of the governments in Pakistan have unfortunately been pro-West and have been following Western trends and policies in education. Deliberate efforts were made during 1977-84 in the reign of Gen. Muhammad Zia-ulHaq to Islamize humanities and many steps taken at that time are still part of the education system in Pakistan in spite of their opposition from certain quarters. The research paper will discuss in detail the steps taken for Islamization of humanities in Pakistan and their impact on the education system as a whole and on personality development of students in particular. It would also give concrete suggestions for further work to make the process of Islamization of humanities in Pakistan more meaningful and successful.
