Islamization of Knowledge: A Jihad for Contemporary Muslim Intellectuals with Special Focus on Nigeria

Abstract

Humanity and the universe are not created static. Both are evolutionary in nature. The alternation of night and day, the movement of sun and moon in pursuance of their courses, the evolution of human form from a drop of sperm to full human being in the mother’s womb and its subsequent development from infancy to adulthood, and the diversity of color, race and languages, are all indications of the changes that characterize the natural environment and human existence and these reflect and indicate the creativity of Allah, their Creator. The purpose of human creation is to serve as the vicegerent of Allah on earth1 and for Him to serve this purpose; man is endowed with the sense organs and rationale, which distinguish him from other creatures. Man’s acceptance of amanah further demarcates him from others.2 The word amanah is interpreted by scholars from different perspectives. ‘Abdullah refers to it as all the sense organs in a man.3 According to Waghid, it refers to the volition and intellect (‘aql) of humanity.4