Shari'ah Sciences at the Universities

Abstract

Interest in the development of Shari'ah sciences at the universities has emerged in the context of efforts to reconstruct the cultural and intellectual paradigms of the Islamic umrnah and affirm its role in directing and guiding the procession of hwnan culture. As a result of this interest, the International Institute of Islamic Thought, the Islamic Studies and Research Association, Jordan University, Yannouk University, and Mu'tah University held a conference on the subject. Institutions that deal with the Shari'ah sciences, particularly universities, play a positive and effective role in awakening Islamic feeling among Muslims and in preventing Islamic thought from being diverted and becoming stagnant. It is therefore mandatory to support them and their objectives so that they can function as solid springboards for Islamic thought and serve as preparation centers for those ulama and du'at who are expected to resolve the crises besetting contemporary Muslim and non-Muslim societies. The importance of the Shari'ah sciences and knowledge has been recognized by past and present Muslim reformers: i.e., al Ghazan called for the restoration of the religious sciences and Ibn Taym1yah called for the enactment of Muslim behavior congruent with the Prophet's tradition. Furthermore, contemporary reform movements have acknowledged the importance of this role and, consequently, considered the development of the Shari'ah sciences as a basic axis of reform and modernization. Along this line, one can mention the contributions of such reformers as I:Iassan al 'A,t,tar, Mul}amrnad 'Abduh, Mul}ammad Rash1d Ri(ia, Khayr al 01n al Tiinis1, Mubammad al Tahir 'Ashiir, 'Abd al 'Azlz al Tha'labi, and lbn Badis. However, several factors nullified these reformative efforts: the cognitive and psychological dichotomy created by the prevailing duality of education as well as the intellectual paradigm confirmed by the imitation of and preoccupation with external (rather than internal) affairs. Unfortunately, such factors have defeated the reformers' efforts. Therefore, the continuous revision of the Shari'ah sciences and curricula, as well as the reality of their institutions, must receive an ...