Islam and Its Worldview

Abstract

This seminar, sponsored jointly by the Institute of Islamic Understanding, Malaysia, and the Malaysian-American Com.mission of Educational Exchange, consisted of four sessions and the presentation of seven researeh papers. Mohammad Kamal Hassan (Internatio Islamic University, Malaysia) spoke on the Islamic worldview, which he stated is "theistic and ethical" and in sharp contrast to secularism and atheism. Topics discussed included how the Qur'an fulfills the human urge to have a vision of divine reality by personifying God's attributes, how "Mother Nature" could not have created itself, God's creation of the universe and nature's as well as humanity's purpose and role (i.e., vicegerency), and the requirements and expectations of God as regards humanity's control over nature. The speaker concluded with a reminder that humanity is subject to perpetual tests as regards the use of God-given bounties and resources and that collapse can be the result of upsetting the balance and harmony instituted by God in natw and life ...