Chapter 2

Sources in Islam

1

IMR 660ISLAMIC INFORMATION

MANAGEMENT

Sources in Islam

Primary Sources

• Definition

Primary source according to information professional refer to original source which is not translated, interpreted or published by anyone else for examples, research, biography, patent, thesis and etc.

Cont…

• According to Islam refer to knowledge that is revealed by God to the prophet.

• So, primary sources in Islam are Quran and Hadith.

Types of Primary Sources

1. Quran

• DefinitionIt is the Arabic speech of Allah which He revealed to prophet Muhammad in wording and meaning and which has been preserved in the Mushaf and has reached us mutawatir transmission (several chains of narration) and is a challenge to mankind to produce something similar to it.

Cont…

• The Holy Quran is the book of Allah sent through the last prophet, Muhammad.

• It contains the knowledge conveyed by Allah and the guidance for men who are righteous (honorable) for all time to come.

• The Quran provides a code of conduct for every believer and is the commandment (order) and a warrant for him.

Cont…

2. Hadiths

• Definition– It includes everything, other than the Quran,

which has been transmitted from the prophet; what he said, did and agreed to.

– The word stands for what was transmitted on the authority of the prophet, his deed, sayings, tacit approval or description of his features meaning his physical appearance.

Characteristics of Primary Sources

• It is revealed by God to the prophet directly or indirectly.

• The information cannot be changed.• It is considered as the ultimate (final)

source.

Secondary Sources (alternative source)

• Definition– It refers to sources which are not directly

revealed by God.– It is gained by mankind through certain

processes like observation, experimentation and research.

Types of Secondary Sources

1. Ijma (consensus)– It refers to the consensus of the

companions of the prophet and the agreement reached on the decision taken by the learned Muftis on various Islamic matters.

– The consensus of the jurists of a certain period over a religious matter. Eg. Collection of Quranic mushaf.

Cont…

2. Qias– Literally it means analogy.– It actually refers to the legal principle

introduced in order to derive at a logical conclusion of a certain law on a certain issue that has to do with the welfare of the Muslim.

– It still must be based on the primary sources. eg. Prohibition of drug.

Cont…

3. Istishab (The companions practice)– It refers to the legal principle introduced

based on the companions' opinion and practice. Eg. Azan for twice before Friday speech.

Cont…

4. Istihsan/ Istihlah– The legal principle introduced based on

public interest.– Preference based on judgment of what is

more relevant, suitable or important and what is more conducive to the public interest, welfare and development. Eg. Amount of mihar

Recaps…

Characteristics of Secondary Sources

Theory of knowledge from Islamic perspective

a) Islam and knowledge

b) Views from Islamic scholars regarding Islam and knowledge

c) How knowledge is acquired

d) Hierarchy of knowledge receivers

e) Classification of knowledge in Islam.

a) Islam and knowledge

• Islam emphasizes on knowledge and there is nothing equivalent to it in this world.

• Muslims are encouraged to seek knowledge and it is compulsory to them.

• The prophet said, if we want the world, seek knowledge. If we want the hereafter, seek knowledge. If we want both, seek knowledge.

b) Views from Islamic scholars regarding Islam and knowledge

• Yusof al-Razi–Knowledge will help to do the correct

action. It also will raise the level of intellectualism.

Cont…

• Abu Hatim al-Razi–A smart person is a person who put his

knowledge into practice.

c) How knowledge is acquired

• According to Islam, knowledge can be acquired through various methods. They are:1. Revelation2. Mind3. Sensors4. Acquired ideas

Cont…1. Revelation

– It is the main source of Islamic knowledge. – It is revealed from God to mankind through the prophets

as the source of knowledge. – Revelations include Quran and Hadiths. – It is considered as the highest source of Islamic

knowledge.

2. Mind– Healthy mind can help human beings to acquire

knowledge. – They can use their healthy mind to think and conduct

research. – These activities will help them to produce new

knowledge.

Cont…

3. Sensors– The five sensors help human beings to acquire

knowledge. – They are fully function when mankind receive or seek

knowledge. – Information is brought to mind through these sensors for

interpretation.

4. Acquired ideas– Islam also accepts acquired ideas as a method to gain

knowledge. – Acquired ideas include the dream of a pious person.

Hierarchy of knowledge receivers

Hierarchy of knowledge receivers• Hierarchy of knowledge receivers according to Islam is:‑

1. Prophet or messenger The prophet is the only person who received

knowledge from God, the creator and the perfect in knowledge.

The prophet is the independent male who receives revelation from God.

2. Wali (the pious person) They are the most pious person after the prophet. They are given the ability to get knowledge through

the acquired ideas. The dreaming of wali is also considered as knowledge.

Cont…

3. Muslim intellectual or scholar They are the knowledgeable Muslim scholars

in both reveled knowledge and syariah.

4. Public They are the common people who receive

knowledge from Muslim scholar, Wali and the prophet.

Classification of knowledge in Islam.

Classification of knowledge from 4th century to 20th century (western & Islam)

Cont…1. Aristotle (4th century)

He divided knowledge into:‑

a) Theoretical philosophy (pure knowledge of the world) Geometry Astronomy – celestial object Music Physic (natural science) Metaphysic – principle of reality – – Ontology - existence – Cosmology - cosmos

-Theoretical- practical- productive

Cont…

b. Practical philosophy (Study of the social science)–Moral– Economy–Politic

Cont…

c. Productive philosophy (study of creative activity)–Poetry–Rhetoric (speech) –public speaking –Dialectical

Cont…

2. St Augustine (4th – 5th century)

He divided knowledge into:–Physic– Logic– Ethic

Cont…

3. Al-kindi (801-873)

He divided knowledge into – theoretical (Philosophical aspect) –practical

Cont…

4.A1-Farabi (950)

He explained the classification of knowledge in his book "Enumeration of science", which is known to the west from the Latin translation by Gerald Cremona as De Sciendis. Hossein Nasr has summarized al-Farabi's scheme as follows:-

Cont…

• Science of Language: syntax, grammar, pronunciation and speech, poetry.

• Logic- study on syllogism.• The propaedutic science: Arithmetic, Geometry,

Optics, Science of heavens (Astronomy), Music, Science of weights, Science of tool making (Engineering)

• Science of nature: Physic and metaphysic• Science of society: political science, sociology,

Jurisprudence, etc

Cont…

5. Ibnu Sina (980-1037)

He divided knowledge into –permanent (Revealed knowledge/ Syariah)– temporary (Acquired knowledge/

Philosophical knowledge)

Cont…

6. Al-Ghazali (1058-1111)

He divided knowledge into:-– Theoretical science–Practical science

Cont…

2. This division is divided into two part:‑a. Religion (Syariyya Sciences)– The Holy Quran– The sunnah and hadith– Jurisprudence– Theology (Tawhid)– Islamic Metaphysic

(Tasawwuf)– Linguistic science

Cont…

b. Rational philosophy (non-syariyya sciences)

- Human sciences

- Natural sciences

- Applied sciences

- Technological sciences

Cont…

3. Individually requisite knowledge (Fardhu ain) and Socially-requisite knowledge (Fardhu Kifayah)

Cont…

7. Ibn Khaldun (14th century)

He divided knowledge into:‑a. Philosophical or rational/ intellectual Science or natural sciences– Logical, natural sciences, Physic (Medicine,

Agriculture etc) – Metaphysics– Mathematical science

Cont…

b. Theological science– Quranic science– Hadith and sunnah– Principle of Shar'ia– Fiqh– Theology– Sufism

Cont…

8. Francis Bacon (17 century) He divided knowledge into:‑

a. Human Learning– History (memory) – Poetry (Imagination) – Philosophy (Logic)

b. Divine learning– Sacred History– Parables (Analogous stories from bible) – Doctrines

Cont…

9. Professor Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Atas

He divided knowledge into:– Fardhu Kifayah – Fardhu Ain.

Revealed knowledge

• Revealed knowledge refer to knowledge which is revealed from God to mankind through the prophet.

• It includes knowledge on Quran, Hadiths and syariah• This knowledge is compulsory to be learnt by all

Muslim.• It is also known as religious knowledge.

Acquired knowledge

• Acquired knowledge refer to knowledge which is acquired by mankind through the interpretation, analysis, observation and experimentation.

• It is also called worldly knowledge.

Fardhu Kifayah/ Social Obligation

• According to Professor Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Atas, it is obligation towards society.

• According to Prof Dr. Osman Bakar, it refers to what is divinely binding for the Muslim community as a whole but it is not necessarily binding for each member of the community.

Fardhu Ain / Individual Obligation

• According to Professor Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Atas, it is obligation towards the self.

• According to Prof Dr. Osman Bakar, it refers to a religious obligation that is binding on every Muslim

List of terms

• Geometry• Astronomy• Music• Physic• Metaphysic• Moral• Economy• Politics• Poetry• Rhetoric• Dialectical• Logic

• Ethic• Syntax• Grammar• Syllogism• Propaedutic science• Arithmetis• Geometry• Optics• Anthropology• Cosmology• Ontology

THANK YOU…THAT ALL FOR TODAY. SEE U IN NEXT CLASS !!!