Journal Article

An Intellectual Journey in Islamic Studies: Navigating Islamic Discourse with Faltah

Tayob, Abdulkader

2021

Overview

Introduction Islam has been variously identified in modern scholarship as religion, culture, civilisation or tradition.1 Constructed in modernity, these terms are limited by the purpose for which they have been employed in the humanities and the social sciences. A term used by Caliph 'Umar b. al-Khattāb on the death of the Prophet Muhammad is a valuable starting point for capturing key elements that constitute the discourse of Islam. [...]reflexive exercises transformed Islamic discourse in response to challenges in the justification of belief and values, on hermeneutical strategies of reading the Qur'an, and on experiences of God._ The importance of reflexivity and self-reflexivity in the discourse has not been completely ignored in the modern study of Islam. \"9 Giddens's binary distinction between modernity and tradition has led to a tendency to approach insider reflections in religious traditions as data and information.10 For example, the well-known scholar of religion, Victor Turner, reflects on how theoretical reflections found in religious traditions should be treated: \"But after collection and analysing the demographic, ecological, and topographic facts, I would go beyond Durkheim's view in laying stress ... not only on rules, precepts, codes, beliefs, etc.

• Publisher: University of Cape Town, Centre of Contemporary Islam
• Subject: Colonialism / Death & dying / God / Islam / Modernity / Muhammad (prophet) / Quran / Reflexivity / Religion / Traditions