"Authenticity and Islamic Liberalism" is a collection of four original and highly stimulating papers on the liberal existentialist approach to religion with special reference to Islam in India. Each paper deals with an independent theme; yet, a consistent analytical existentialist approach makes them a well-orchestrated and balanced exposition of what may best be called "Islamic Liberalism". In the first essay the author pleads for adopting a fresh approach, devoid of the conceptual gloss of a long and hallowed tradition, to the study of the Quran: the original and everlasting source of the Islamic faith. The second essay discusses the classical problem of the conflict between faith and reason in an extremely fresh way in the light of authenticity, which is the pivotal idea in contemporary existentialism. The third essay deals with the basic issue of the proper function and jurisdiction of religion in human life as a whole. The author holds that this matter has become highly politicized in the Muslim world, when, in fact, it merits the most dispassionate analysis. The last essay gives a working definition of Islamic liberalism and traces its career in India from the thirteenth century up to date. The Two Supplemental Essays included in this new edition provide additional insights and food for thought. The philosophical acumen of the author of "Quest for Islam", the valuable factual information and the lucid style of the present work makes it indispensable reading not only for all Muslim intellectuals and other serious students of religion, but also for public and professional men who function in plural societies of the modern age.
Auflage
Revised with 3 New Essays
Sprache
Produkt-Hinweis
Dateigröße
ISBN-13
978-1-935293-76-7 (9781935293767)
Schweitzer Klassifikation
Born in 1926, Jamal Khwaja has devoted a lifetime to the challenge of understanding and living the Quran with integrity. His forefathers worked closely with Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, and with Mahatma Gandhi. Khwaja studied philosophy in India and Europe. In 1957 he was elected to the Indian Parliament. However, his engagement with power politics was short lived. In 1962 he returned to his beloved, scholarly and contemplative lifestyle at the Aligarh Muslim University. He retired as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Philosophy. He is the author of seven major books.
Khwaja's work seeks to answer three inter-related questions: Firstly, What does it mean to be an authentic Muslim? Secondly, How should a believer understand and interpret the Holy Quran in the 21st century? And finally, What is the role of Islam in a pluralistic society?
Anyone interested in the intersection of Islam and Modernity will find Khwaja to be a reliable guide. His work is magisterial in scope. It is full of passion but remains balanced in perspective.
Khwaja believes in judiciously creative modernization rooted in the Quran and firmly opposes shallow, unprincipled imitation of the West. His mission is to stimulate serious rethinking and informed dialog between tradition and modernity in Islam.
Khwaja's work is the definitive contemporary discussion regarding the collision of Islam and Modernity. Readers of his work will be in turn, informed, inspired, and intellectually liberated.
Author's Preface to the Second Edition, Author's Preface to the First Edition, 1-How I See the Qur'an; 2-Authenticity and Faith in Revelation; 3-The Religious Revolution of the 18th Century & Islam; 4-Islamic Liberalism in India A Brief Overview; Explanatory Notes, Supplemental Essay 1 Sharing of Religious Life Worlds, Supplemental Essay 2 Seven Letters to My RSS Friend, Supplemental Essay 3 Sir Syed, Iqbal and Azad, Appendix Introducing Jamal Khwaja and His Works, Index
