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Title: Malek Bennabi’s Contribution to Islamic Thought
Authors: Nighat Rasheed
Journal: Research Journal ‘Ulum-e- Islamia'
Publisher: Islamia University, Bahawalpur
Country: Pakistan
Year: 2023
Volume: 30
Issue: 2
Language: English
DOI: 10.52461/ulm-e-islmia.v30i02.2323
A century has passed since abolishment of Ottoman Caliphate, an event that proved the mettle of West and set forth never ending debate over reasons for Muslim Civilization to fall behind in race of progress and development from the West. Many brilliant minds had presented their theories and ideas over downfall and revival of Muslim World since 1st World War. Malek Bennabi, an Algerian philosopher and intellectual was a product of same colonialism which exploited and suppressed the indigenes. He is among rare breed of Muslim thinkers in a sense that he had witness modern inventions and technological creations unfolding before his eyes. He had extensive interest in the history, religion, sociology, philosophy, science, culture and technology. While pursuing education in French school he resumed his Islamic education in Madrasa, where he got acquainted with Nahda movement, which help him to conceptualise his unique ideas and systematic approach toward causes of ‘al-Takhalluf” (cultural, economic and social retardation). This paper delves into thoughts behind his compiled works where he describes the culture as a medium to become progressive through ethical and technical values. He held responsible the prevalent ideology for the quiescence and perversion of society. Unfortunately, due to his work being in Arabic and French, even in translation his technical terminologies and content is intellectually higher for general readers remained little known in Muslim masses. Malek Bennabi coined the term ‘Post-Almohad Man’ to denote Muslims of modern world- lost of identity and progressive ideas. This article is an attempt to present Malek Benabi as assessable to all readers and introduced Muslims with his theories for Muslims and Modernism reconciliation.
Key Words: Ottoman Caliphate, Colonialism, Nahada, al-Takhalluf, Post-Almohad Man
To analyze and present the thoughts of Malek Bennabi, an Algerian philosopher, on Islamic thought, culture, civilization, and economics, making his work more accessible to a wider audience and exploring the reconciliation between Muslim identity and modernism.
The paper is a theoretical and analytical study based on the compiled works of Malek Bennabi, including his books, lectures, and essays, which are primarily in Arabic and French. It draws upon historical examination of world civilizations and Muslim civilization in particular.
graph TD
A["Analysis of Malek Bennabi's Works"] --> B["Identification of Key Concepts: Civilization, al-Takhalluf, Post-Almohad Man"];
B --> C["Examination of Bennabi's Theory of Civilization: Man, Soil, Time, Religion"];
C --> D["Exploration of Bennabi's Critique of Economic Models"];
D --> E["Synthesis of Bennabi's Recommendations for Islamic Economics"];
E --> F["Discussion of Bennabi's Legacy and Accessibility"];
F --> G["Conclusion on Bennabi's Contribution to Islamic Thought"];
The paper discusses Malek Bennabi's multifaceted approach to understanding civilization, emphasizing the interplay of human agency, environmental factors, temporal dimensions, and the crucial role of religion. It highlights his critique of societal decline and his call for a reawakening of Muslim thought through a focus on ethical and technical values. Bennabi's ideas on economics are presented as a critique of Western models and a call for an indigenous Islamic economic framework that prioritizes social well-being and development. The paper also addresses the limited accessibility of Bennabi's work due to language barriers and its intellectual depth.
- Bennabi proposed a theory of civilization based on four components: Man, Soil, Time, and Religion.
- He identified "al-Takhalluf" (cultural, economic, and social retardation) as a key issue facing Muslim societies.
- He coined the term "Post-Almohad Man" to describe modern Muslims who have lost their identity and progressive ideas.
- Religion acts as a "catalyst of civilization," synthesizing the other three components.
- Bennabi criticized both capitalist and socialist economic models for Muslim societies and advocated for a third, distinct Islamic economic approach.
- He emphasized the importance of social investment over purely financial investment in economic development.
Malek Bennabi offered a comprehensive framework for understanding and reviving Muslim civilization, emphasizing the need for internal transformation of individuals and societies. His theories on civilization, culture, and economics provide valuable insights for addressing contemporary challenges faced by the Muslim world, advocating for a unique Islamic approach that reconciles tradition with modernity.
- Malek Bennabi was born in 1905 in Constantine, Algeria. (Confirmed by text)
- Bennabi's theory of civilization includes the components: Man, Soil, Time, and Religion. (Confirmed by text)
- Bennabi published works in Arabic and French, which contributed to their limited reach outside these language spheres. (Confirmed by text)
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