Islamic Studies by Arooj Alam
It is something of a truism that the Quran’s narrative defies modern texts’ linear chronology dem... more It is something of a truism that the Quran’s narrative defies modern texts’ linear chronology demarcated by definitive beginnings, middles, and ends. Quranic studies specialists have expended considerable effort investigating its narratology, foreign vocabulary, conception of ethics, and transmission history. However, an exploration of time and temporality within the Quran remains a minor concern in the field. To address this lacuna, I investigate how one twentieth-century South Asian religious scholar (alim) Manazir Ahsan Gilani (d.1956) grappled with time and temporality in the Companions of the Cave (Ashab al-Kahf) story of Chapter 18 of the Quran, “The Cave” (Surat al-Kahf).
I make a modest contribution to Quranic studies, South Asian Islamic intellectual history, and post-colonial studies by comparing Gilani’s Quranic exegesis (Tafsir) on this chapter (surah) with his classical and modern Middle Eastern counterparts.
In his scholarly publication, Islam and Foundations of Governance, Abd al-Raziq argued against t... more In his scholarly publication, Islam and Foundations of Governance, Abd al-Raziq argued against the revival and resurrection of the Caliphate by redefining it as coercive, monarchal, and as the antithesis of the community first established by Prophet Muhammad. While Abd al-Raziq’s book attracted tremendous criticisms in 1925, numerous scholars today have commended and hailed him as the father of Secularism, Liberalism, and Laicism. This thesis, however strongly rejects such labels by investigating how Abd al-Raziq imbued the Caliphate with a modern definition and relied upon authoritative evidence from the Islamic tradition to bolster his analyses. By situating his criticisms within the Islamic tradition, this thesis demands that we reconfigure Abd al-Raziq’s ideas and legacy, without the aid of limiting and misleading Western-centric categories. Additionally, by making use of Urdu language primary sources, this thesis brings forth reception of South Asian Muslims on Abd al-Raziq’s work, to emphasize cross-cultural debates and disagreements amongst Muslims on the significance of the Caliphate, which continue to persist today.
This paper deconstructs the categories of modern subjectivity and Agency, both of which conceal s... more This paper deconstructs the categories of modern subjectivity and Agency, both of which conceal several ambiguities and contradictions within their folds. Even though scholars of Religion, Area Studies, and Anthropology have been dismantling liberal conceptions of subjectivity and Agency, few have managed to draw a link between these, the Secular, and modern historiography. Hence I discuss and compare works of Talal Asad, Amy Hollywood, Saba Mahmood, and Samira Haj, all of whom offer us a nuanced understanding of Islamic reformers, modern Muslim and Medieval Christian women, all the while problematizing the “universality” of Agency and subjectivity.
In the 21st century, the power of technology has gravely contributed to the awareness that time h... more In the 21st century, the power of technology has gravely contributed to the awareness that time has sped up. Time has accelerated to such an extent, that social media updates are regularly replaced by even newer content every second. Also the condition "short attention span" once only prevalent in children with attention deficit disorder is now well documented in adults-both pieces of evidence of accelerated time. Thus it becomes imperative to investigate how such a specific experience of modern time emerge? Moreover, when did the categories of past, present, and future emerge?
Jesus and Muhammad are two fascinating figures in world history. While Jesus may have more admire... more Jesus and Muhammad are two fascinating figures in world history. While Jesus may have more admirers in the Western world, far more Muslims vociferously defend the honor and reputation of the last messenger of God. Such deep attachment with two Middle Eastern men who lived ordinary lives until their middle ages, makes one wonder, why they have continued to capture popular imagination long after the deaths? A more interesting question asks, how have the scholarly study of the historical Jesus and the historical Muhammad evolved since its inception? Are scholars of Biblical and Islamic studies any closer to capturing an essence of Jesus and Muhammad, just as the writers of the canonical Gospels and as the transmitters of hadith collections believed they did? To answer these questions and more this paper, in a non-exhaustive manner, explores the evolution of study of historical Jesus and the study of historical Muhammad together.
Syrian Islamic Reformist Rashid Rida presented his speech on “Renewal, Renewing, and Renewers” at... more Syrian Islamic Reformist Rashid Rida presented his speech on “Renewal, Renewing, and Renewers” at the Royal Institute of Geography in early 1930. As the translator Emad Eldin Shahin explains, Rida gave this speech at the request of Society of the Oriental League. Various scholars, thinkers, students, and imminent European orientalist invited at this event responded favorably to Rida’s message. The main argument of Rida’s speech concerned what he saw as rapid secularization and blind imitation of Western values in the Muslim world, especially in Egypt. To counter this force, he advocated for a complete renewal of religion, society, and politics in Egypt independent of Western models and example of the Turkish Republic.
In Islamic political theory, one of the most discussed topics remains the relationship between Is... more In Islamic political theory, one of the most discussed topics remains the relationship between Islam and the State. Though a countless number of accomplished scholars, thinkers, religious elites and leaders have contributed to this discourse, none have left as contested a legacy as 'Ali 'Abd al-Raziq. An Egyptian Shariah court judge and thinker, 'Abd al-Raziq in his best-known work, Islam and the Foundations of Governance, argued against the necessity of the caliphate institution. As an alternative, he urged the Muslim community to adopt any other form of governance, which would address the needs of modern times. This sentiment immortalized him as the father of Islamic reform and liberalism. Ninety years later, 'Abd al-Raziq's ideas continue to polarize various thinkers including; the Revivalists, Muslim Laicists, and Modern Liberals. This paper analyzes how modern political theorists along with the Revivalists, Muslim Laicists, and Modern Liberals have received 'Ali 'Abd al-Raziq's ideas since 1925 and how his legacy has contributed to Islamic political theory overall.
History is the reconstruction of past events and what they can teach us about human motivations. ... more History is the reconstruction of past events and what they can teach us about human motivations. For Muslim historians, however, the discipline of history served to exemplify deeds of prophets, righteous kings, holy men, and pious saints, all of whom functioned as God's will on earth. But why did Muslims care about exemplifying morally righteous behavior and how did they present such accounts? These questions and others are answered in Chase Robinson's book.
The central question Wadad al-Qadi investigates in her article “The Term ‘Khalifa’ in Early Exege... more The central question Wadad al-Qadi investigates in her article “The Term ‘Khalifa’ in Early Exegetical Literature” is whether early Islamic exegetes were attributing political significance to the word Khalifa. She concludes that exegetes were in fact not possibly due to a dislike of those in charge among other reasons (490). I hypothesize that this dislike could have compelled exegetes to resist the authority of Caliphs in a subtle yet powerful manner by deliberately reading Khalifa apolitically due to; the specific context in which this term occurs, it’s theological implications, and the political realities of certain commentators’ lives (al-Qadi, 133).
When it comes to the establishment of an Islamic State, we must not only examine the Holy Quran ... more When it comes to the establishment of an Islamic State, we must not only examine the Holy Quran and the Hadith collections, we should also consider a contract made by the Prophet that has often been referred to as the Medina Constitution. It provides insight into how the Prophet organized and governed the first Islamic community. By examining and comparing these three sources, we can uncover six values which, I believe, are deemed crucial by Allah and His last messenger. They are Tawhid* (Unicity of Allah), Hurriyah al-din (Freedom of Religion), Adl (Justice), Masawah 1 (Equality), La Tagulu (Moderation), and Shura (Consultation).
The notion of an “Islamic State” is part of many extremists’ ideologies. However many Muslims, no... more The notion of an “Islamic State” is part of many extremists’ ideologies. However many Muslims, not simply extremists, have viewed the first Islamic community under Prophet Mohammad as a model political society. Muslim political theorists who are critical of actual Islamic States nonetheless generally agree that religion should be applied in all spheres within an Islamic State. I, however, argue that the state which comes close to upholding the ideals of Islam is one where a sharp separation between religious and secular authority exist. In addition, such a state must guarantee basic human rights to free speech, to freely interpret one’s religion, and even freely choose one’s religion. I argue that my model does the best job at providing these fundamental rights.
Political Science by Arooj Alam
President Trump’s tweet regarding Pakistan’s “lies and deceit” may have offended the country’s of... more President Trump’s tweet regarding Pakistan’s “lies and deceit” may have offended the country’s officials but did not come as a surprise. For them and all those familiar with the nature of US-Pakistan alliance, it was apparent that Trump administration will usher in a suspicious phase of the relationship which had been prevalent far more frequently than the so-called “honeymoon phases." Exceptions within US-PK relations are not the rough patch periods but times when both allies were cordial, cooperative, and on good terms. To understand why these actors embarked on an alliance, and how the nature of this alliance changed, this paper focuses on US-Pakistan ties during the Eisenhower administration and provides more detailed analysis from the Pakistani perspective.
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Islamic Studies by Arooj Alam
I make a modest contribution to Quranic studies, South Asian Islamic intellectual history, and post-colonial studies by comparing Gilani’s Quranic exegesis (Tafsir) on this chapter (surah) with his classical and modern Middle Eastern counterparts.
Political Science by Arooj Alam
I make a modest contribution to Quranic studies, South Asian Islamic intellectual history, and post-colonial studies by comparing Gilani’s Quranic exegesis (Tafsir) on this chapter (surah) with his classical and modern Middle Eastern counterparts.