The Place of Philosophy of Islam in the History of Knowledge and its Role Today in the Modern World Falsafa-e-Islam

The present crisis of the Muslim world is not entirely due to external forces but also what is internal within the common understanding of Islam. Internally, it is not only theological or religious but essentially philosophical. While the West denies Islam its place within mainstream philosophical system, there has not been adequate attention paid to this by the Islamic scholarship itself and then to assert Islam’s historical place and role within the history of philosophy. However, I do not separate philosophy from religion, but it is important to emphasise the central role of philosophy of Islam in the history of human knowledge. This role has been somewhat marginalized or has become submerged under the weight of the primacy of and emphasis on religious ceremonies, which are essential but they are only a way of reaching what Qur’an demands from us in relation to humanity at large. It is in fact due to the somewhat forgetfulness of this fundamental responsibility that most of the Muslim world seems to have now fallen into the abyss of pathetic condition of ignorance (jehalit), confusion and disillusionment. This abyss is so deep that mere dedication to fundamental religious practices, or what have become obsessive ceremonies, cannot save us from what may be an impending catastrophe. Only true knowledge, of ourselves and others, can lead us not only to the true path of our salvation as Muslims but also of humanity as a whole.