a study of the thought of selected muslim intellectuals...
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A STUDY OF THE THOUGHT OF SELECTED MUSLIM INTELLECTUALS IN IRAN ON ISLAM
AND MODERNITY, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SCIENCE AND POLITICS
MARYAM SHAMSAEI
FACULTY OF SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA
KUALA LUMPUR
2012
A STUDY OF THE THOUGHT OF SELECTED MUSLIM INTELLECTUALS IN IRAN ON ISLAM AND
MODERNITY, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SCIENCE AND POLITICS
MARYAM SHAMSAEI
THESIS SUBMITTED IN FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
STUDIES FACULTY OF SCIENCE
UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA KUALA LUMPUR
2012
ORIGINAL LITERARY WORK DECLARATION
Name of Candidate: Maryam Shamsaei (I.C/Passport No :)L13406326
Registration/Matric No:SHC080047
Name of Degree: Doctor of Philosophy Title of Project Paper/Research Report/Dissertation/Thesis (“this Work”):
“A STUDY OF THE THOUGHT OF SELECTED MUSLIM INTELLECTUALS IN IRAN ON ISLAM, AND MODERNITY, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SCIENCE AND
POLITICS”
Field of Study: Science and Technology Studies
I do solemnly and sincerely declare that: (1) I am the sole author/writer of this Work; (2) This Work is original; (3) Any use of any work in which copyright exists was done by way of fair dealing and for
permitted purposes and any excerpt or extract from, or reference to or reproduction of any copyright work has been disclosed expressly and sufficiently and the title of the Work and its authorship have been acknowledged in this Work;
(4) I do not have any actual knowledge nor do I ought reasonably to know that the making of this work constitutes an infringement of any copyright work;
(5) I hereby assign all and every rights in the copyright to this Work to the University of Malaya (“UM”), who henceforth shall be owner of the copyright in this Work and that any reproduction or use in any form or by any means whatsoever is prohibited without the written consent of UM having been first had and obtained;
(6) I am fully aware that if in the course of making this Work I have infringed any copyright whether intentionally or otherwise, I may be subject to legal action or any other action as may be determined by UM.
Candidate’s Signature Date: 3 August 2012
Subscribed and solemnly declared before,
Witness’s Signature Date: 3 August 2012
Name: PROF.DR.MOHD HAZIM SHAH BIN HJ.ABDUL MURAD
Designation: Professor & Supervisor
ABSTRAK
Tiada apa yang lebih membebankan Dunia Islam pada awal abad ke-dua puluh satu
selain cabaran modeniti. Ia telah menjadi keutamaan di dalam agenda budaya dan
sosiopolitik pergerakan-pergerakan intelektual dan sosial, dan kerajaan di dunia Islam
dan Iran sejak kurun ke-19. Tesis ini adalah satu analisis teoritis mengenai respons
intelektual Islam dari Iran di dalam pertembungan dengan persoalan Islam dan
kemodenan. Dua bidang utama modeniti yang akan dikaji ialah: i) arena politik dan
struktur kerajaan, dan ii) sains dan teknologi. Tesis ini bertujuan untuk memeriksa dan
menyiasat idea-idea kontroversial lima orang intelektual Islam dari Iran iaitu: Ali
Shariati, Abdolkarim Soroush, Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Mutahhari Murteza, dan Mehdi
Golshani. Ide-ide mereka kemudian dibandingkan untuk mengenalpasti persamaan dan
perbezaan di dalam pemikiran mereka mengenai Islam dan modeniti.. Adalah
diharapkan bahawa hasil kajian ini akan dapat memberi sumbangan kepada perbahasan
semasa mengenai Islam, sains dan politik, di samping mewujudkan pandangan alternatif
Dunia Islam mengenai hubungan di antara sains, teknologi dan kerajaan dengan secara
sistematik. Kajian ini adalah sebahagian daripada usaha ke arah kebangkitan semula
Dunia Islam di zaman moden, termasuk di dalam bidang sains dan teknologi. Pemikir-
pemikir agama telah mengambil salah satu daripada dua pendirian yang berbeza
mengenai isu modeniti, iaitu: (a) menyokong pemodenan terpilih, (b) menentang
pemodenan terpilih. Penyokong-penyokong pemodenan terpilih kebanyakannya
mengambil berat tentang pembangunan dan kemandirian negara-negara membangun,
sedangkan penentang pula lebih mementingkan budaya Islam tradisional. Oleh itu
adalah lebih baik jika kita mengambil jalan tengah di dalam persoalan ini, dan mencari
titik pertengahan; bermaksud bahawa kita menganggap bahawa pembangunan material
adalah perlu bagi survival, tetapi pembangunan insan yang sebenar memerlukan
i
kesabaran dan kepatuhan kepada prinsip-prinsip Islam. Oleh itu, sokongan negara-
negara Islam kepada idea-idea kemodenan hanya hasil dari keprihatinan untuk terus
hidup, dan bukannya bagi pembangunan sebenar. Dalam ertikata sebenar satu langkah
ke arah pemerintah sebenar Islam dan demokrasi Islam adalah pada hakikatnya, asas
bagi jalan yang optimum ke arah pembangunan. Berdasarkan hakikat ini, dan dengan
mengambil kira bahawa adalah perlu untuk terus hidup di dunia ini, kita perlu menerima
pemodenan setakat yang perlu, dan sentiasa mempertimbangkan untuk mengambil
bahagian yang perlu. Sebaliknya, dan berdasarkan idea pemodenan terpilih, kami
bertujuan untuk menghidupkan semula negara Islam yang sebenar apabila bekerja ke
arah pembangunan.
Kata Kunci: Kemodenan, Islamisasi Ilmu, Demokrasi Agama, Demokrasi Liberal,
cendekiawan Islam, Sekularisme
ii
ABSTRACT
Nothing troubled the people of the Islamic world at the beginning of the twenty-first
century as much as the challenge of modernity did. It had occupied a central place in the
cultural and sociopolitical agendas of intellectual and social movements, and state actors
in the Islamic world and Iran since the 19th century. This study is a theoretical analysis
of Iranian Muslim intellectuals’ encounter with Islam and modernity. The two main
spheres of modernity which are examined are: i) the political arena and the government
structure, and ii) science and technology. The goal of this dissertation is to examine and
investigate the controversial ideas of five Iranian Muslim intellectuals, namely: Ali
Shariati, Abdolkarim Soroush, Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Murteza Mutahhari, and Mehdi
Golshani. Their ideas were then compared in order to identify the similarities and
dissimilarities in their ideas on Islam and modernity. It is hoped that through this study,
a contribution can be made to the current debate on Islam, science and politics, as well
as creating an alternative Islamic perspective with regards to science, technology and a
systematic government. This study is part of an accumulated effort towards the
rejuvenation of the Islamic world in the modern era, including the field of science and
technology. The religious thinkers have taken either of the following two major
positions in viewing modernisation: (a) In support of selective modernisation, (b) In
opposition to selective modernisation. The supporters of selective modernization are
mostly concerned about the development and the survival of the developing countries
and civilizations and the opponents have traditional Islamic culture in mind. We can
therefore take the middle line and consider a middle point in this argument; meaning to
suggest that instant development and survival is helpful and effective, but genuine,
sustainable development requires patience and adherence to Islamic principles.
Therefore the adherence of Islamic nations to the notions of modernity is just a result of
the concern for survival, rather than true human development. In its true sense a move iii
toward a real Islamic ruling and Islamic democracy is in fact the basis for an optimal
path to development. Based on this reality, and considering that it is necessary to
survive in this world, we have to accept modernisation to the extent which is necessary.
On the other hand and based on the idea of selective modernisation, we have to aim at
reviving the real Islamic nation when working toward development.
Key Words: Modernity, Islamization of Knowledge, Religion Democracy, Liberal
Democracy, Muslim Intellectuals, Secularism
iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My largest debt is to my supervisor, Professor Dr.Mohd Hazim Shah bin Abdul Murad,
for agreeing to supervise this study, carefully reading and revising my draft, and
offering useful advice and encouragement along the way. I must next express my
appreciation for relentless support I received from Prof. Madya Dr.Siti Nurani Mohd
Nor, Dr. Amran bin Muhammad, and Dr. Mohd Zuhdi bin Marsuki. The contributions
of other members of the Department of Science and Technology Studies should not be
overlooked either; their encouragement and assistance made these years most
challenging and rewarding. Last but not least, my sincerest gratitude must be extended
to my family; special thanks to my parents and my husband, for their continued
encouragement.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRAK
A BSTRACT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS vi
LIST OF FIGURES xii
LIST OF FIGURE IN APPENDIX A xi
GLOSSARY x
CHAPTER 1: Introduction: The Project of Modernity in Iran
1.0 The Historical Background
1.1 Statement of Problem
1.2 Research Objectives 1
1.3 Thesis Statement 1
1.4 Significance of Research 1
1.5 Literature Review 1
1.6 Research Questions 1
1.7 Methodology of the Study 2
1.8 Conceptual Framework and Division of Chapters 2
1. Modernity 2
2. Democracy 2
3. Islamization of Knowledge 3
CHAPTER 2 : Muslim Intellectuals in Iran on Science, Islam and
Modernity
3
2.0 Introduction 3
2.1 The History of Critical Intellectuality in Iran 3
2.2 The Relationship between Science and Religion 3
2.3 Iranian Muslim Intellectual Responses to Modern Science and 4
vi
0
0
1
6
6
7
7
0
2
4
o
Nasr
7
2.3.3 Mehdi Golshani 58
2.3.3.1 Biography 58
2.3.3.2 Truth in the Eyes of Islam in Golshani’s View 59
2.3.3.3 Relationship between Science and Religion in
Golshani’s View
61
2.3.3.4 What is Religious Science in Golshani’s Opinion? 62
2.3.3.5 Religion Affects Science in Several Forms,
According To Golshani
63
2.3.3.6 The Reason behind Opposition to Religious Science
in Golshani Judgment
63
64
4
Technology
2.3.1 Ayatollah Murteza Mutahhari 4
2.3.1.1 Biography 4
2.3.1.2 Ayatollah Murteza Mutahhari On The Encounter
Between Modern Science And Religion
4
2.3.2 Seyyed Hossein Nasr 4
2.3.2.1 Biography 4
2.3.2.2 Nasr’s Fundamental Ideas on Science 4
2.3.2.2.1 Islam and Science in the Eyes of Seyyed
Hossein Nasr
4
2.3.2.2.2 Nasr’s Critique of Modern Science 5
2.3.2.2.3 Sacred Science in Nasr Opinion 5
2.3.2.2.4 Nasr’s Views on Religion and Ecology 5
2.3.2.2.5 Creating a Noble Islamic Science According t 5
2.3.4 Abdolkarim Soroush
2.3.4.1 Biography 6
vii
ship between Science and Religion in 6
68
3
ocracy, Modernity and the System of Government in 6
3.0 Introduction 76
3.1 The System of Government in Iran Before the Islamic Revolution of
1979
77
Constitutional Revolution of Iran 79
Reza Pahlavi’s Reign: A ModernEra But With Absolute
81
2
87
87
3.1.3.2 Legislative Department 88
3.1.3.2.1.1 Responsibilities Of The
ent
3.1.3.3 Executive Department 90
90
mic Revolution of
3.3 Political Structure in Islamic Republic of Iran 96
Supreme Leader 96
2.3.4.2 The Relation
Soroush’s View
2.3.4.3 Soroush on Islamizing Human Science
6
2.4 Conclusion 7
CHAPTER 3: Dem
Iran
7
3.1.1
3.1.2 Shah
Power
3.1.3 Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
3.1.3.0 Characteristics of the Pahlavi Era
8
3.1.3.1 Shah
3.1.3.2.1 The National Parliament 88
Parliam
88
3.1.3.2.2 The Senate 89
3.1.3.4 Justice Department
3.2 The System of Government in Iran After the Isla
1979
92
3.2.1 People’s Role in Islamic Republic of Iran 95
3.3.1
viii
6
t 1
eadership of the Jurist in the Islamic 1
2
lic 2
103
3
3
3.3.2.1 Legislative Power 104
3.3.2.1.1 Islamic Consultative Assembly 106
3.3.2.2.1 The Guardian Council
3.3.3.1 Executive Power
108
113
3.3.3.1.1 The president of Islamic Republic of Iran 113
3.3.4.1 Judicial Power 118
3.3.4.1.1 Structure of the Judicial System 118
3.4 A Comparison Between the Old (pre-1979) and New (Post-1979)
System of Government in Iran
119
hment of a Government 9
1
2
122
4
nd Liberal Democracy 6
ncient Period 6
orld 8
9
3.3.1.1 Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist 9
3.3.1.1.1 Installation of the Juris 10
3.3.1.1.2 L
Republic of Iran
10
3.3.1.2 Terms and leadership Traits 10
3.3.1.3 The Experts on Leadership in the Islamic Repub 10
3.3.1.4 Leadership Choice
3.3.1.5 Removing the leader 10
3.3.2 Branches of Power in the Islamic Republic of Iran 10
3.4.1. Legitimacy in Establis 11
3.4.2. Religious Legitimacy 12
3.4.2. Elections 12
3.4.3.1. Parliament
3.4.3.2. Senate 12
3.5 A Comparison between Islamic a 12
3.5.1 Democracy in the A 12
3.5.2 Democracy in the Modern W 12
3.5.3 Religious Democracy 12
ix
0
emocracy 1
n an Islamic Democracy 2
ment in a Liberal Democracy 3
emocracy 4
4
t 5
5
mic Political Theory 8
4 .0 Introduction 148
4.1 Ali Shariati 150
.1.1 Biography of Ali Shariati 150
4.1.2 Ali Shariati and Democracy 153
4.2 Abdolkarim Soroush 158
n Religion and democracy 8
4.3 Murteza Mutahhari 2
f Murteza Mutahhari 2
mpatibility between Islamic
emocracy
3
ri’s Opinion 4
5
ment in Iran: 9
169
s 0
3.5.3.1 Characteristics of Islamic Democracy 13
3.5.3.2 Advantages of an Islamic D 13
3.5.3.3 The Bases of Legitimacy i 13
3.5.4 The System of Govern 13
3.5.4.1 The basis of Legitimacy in a Liberal D 13
3.5.4.2 Criticisms of Liberal Democracy 13
3.6 The Discourse on Democracy and Modernity in Iran in Recen
Literature
13
3.7 Conclusion 14
CHAPTER 4: Muslim Intellectuals in Iran on Isla
and Modernity
14
4
4.2.1 Soroush o 15
16
4.3.1 Democracy in the Thought o 16
4.3.2 Mutahhari’s Idea about the Co
Republic and D
16
4.3.3 Guardianship of the Jurist in Mutahha 16
4.4. Conclusion 16
CHAPTER 5:The Relationship between Science and Govern
Historical Perspective
16
5.0 Introduction
5.1 Science in Democratic and Nondemocratic Government 17
x
cience in Islamic Governments 1
4
5.3.1 Science and Religion before Islam and during the Achaemenid
Empire (550–330 B.C.E)
174
5.3.2 Science and Religion before Islam and during the Sassanid
Empire ( 224-651)
176
5.3.3 Science in Iran after Islam 177
5.3.3.1 Umayyad Caliphate ( 661-750) 178
5.3.3.2 Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258) 178
20-872) 179
9
asty (928-1043) 180
-1055) 0
)
0
1
7-1231) 2
) 3
6) 4
ixteenth Century 5
5
6
7
ontemporary period 8
8
9
1
1
5.2 Position of S 17
5.3 Position of Science in Pre-Islamic Iran 17
5.3.3.3 Tahirid Dynasty (8
5.3.3.4 Samanids Dynasty(224-651) 17
5.3.3.5 Ziyarid Dyn
5.3.3.6 Buyid Dynasty (934 18
5.3.3.7 Ghaznavids Dynasty (963-1187)
5.3.3.8 Great Seljuq Empire(1038-1194
18
18
5.3.3.9 Khwārazm-Shāh Dynasty(17 18
5.3.3.10 Mongol Empire:(1206-1368 18
5.3.3.11 Timurid Dynasty (1370-152 18
5.4 Science and Government in Iran after the S 18
5.4.1 Safavid Dynasty (1501-1736) 18
5.4.2 Qajar Dynasty (1794-1925) 18
5.4.3 Pahlavi Era (1925-1979) 18
5.5 Science and Politics and Government in the C 18
5.5.1 Islamic Republic era (1979-Now) 18
5.6 Education since the Islamic Era in Iran 18
5.7 Modern Education in Iran 19
5.7.1 Safavid Dynasty 19
xi
1
4
4
4
History of Iran
fter the 1979 revolution
ral Revolution
orities in the Islamic Republic
5.8.4.2.1 Council on Iranian Cultural Revolution
5.8.4.2.2 The Organization and Government of science
5
7
7
8
8
8
9
8
anian
Thinkers
0
6.0 Introduction 0
slam, Science and Democracy in the Eyes of Iranian Muslim
us Authority,
e Autonomous?
7
249
5.7.2 Pahlavi Dynasty 19
5.8 History of Higher Education in Iran 19
5.8.1 Pre-Islamic Era 19
5.8.2 Post-Islamic Era 19
5.8.3 Higher Education in Modern
5.8.4 Education in Iran a
5.8 .4.1 The Cultu
5.8.4.2 Higher Education Auth
and Technology in Iran
5.9 Science in Contemporary Islamic Republic of Iran
5.10 Conclusion
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
20
CHAPTER 6 :Islam, Science and Government According to Ir 21
21
6.1 I
Thinkers
210
6.2 Should Science Come Under the Control of Religio
or Should it b
21
6.3 Implications of Iranian Muslim Intellectuals Ideas for the Future
of Science in Iran
228
6.4 Conclusion 232
CHAPTER 7: Conclusion 233
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDIX A
260
xii
LIST OF FIGURES
ceptual Framework
22
Fig3.1 :Political Structure of Pahlavi Government
86
Fig 3.2 : Islamic Republic of Iran Political Structure
91
ic, Post-
Islamic Era and Modern Era
193
iati,Golshani and Mutahhari
Fig1.1. Synopsis of the Con
Fig 5.1 : Higher Education System in Iran: Pre Islam
Fig 6.1. Synopsis of the Views of Soroush,Nasr,Shar
228
xiii
LIST OF FIGURE IN APPENDIX A
Fig 1. Iran Share From Science Production (1985-2010), Number of Annually Published ISI Papers.
261
Fig 2. Islamic Countries Condition in Scientific Production in
2010
Fig 3. The field o(2010), Number of Published ISI Papers.
262
263
264
267
f Chemical Engineering in World
Fig 4. The field of Industrial Engineering in World (2010), Number of Published ISI Papers .
Fig 5. The field of Mechanical Engineering in World (2010),Number of Published ISI Papers
Fig 6 The Percentage of Iran Share from World Science Production
265
xiv
GLOSSARY
llah: is the Islamic term for the one and only merciful God.
Hawzah: a seminary of traditional Shiite Islamic studies.
ashru’iyyat: the legitimacy that God bestows upon a system.
Maqbuliyyat: the extent of the people’s approval of the government was seen as crucial element.
Quran:is the book that is believed e word of God and revealed to Profit Mohammad.
l factions in Islamic religion.
post-Age-of-Occultation theory in Shi'a Islam which a faqih(Islamic jurist) or fuqaha (jurists) custodianship
over people.
A
M
a
by Muslim to b
Figh:is the Science of Islamic jurisprudence.
Mujtahid: highest religious authorities.
Tawhid : Uniqueness of God.
Sharia: divine laws.
Hadith: are a collection Profit Mohammad’s record of action and saying. Hadith after Quran is the most important source of Islamic Figh.
Tafsir: commentary on Quran.
Shiie’s and Sunni: refer to two principa
Ummah: nation
Velayate Faghih: is aholds that Islam gives
Fuqaha: refers to those who are expert in Figh.
xv
us
Tarikh: history
Majlis : the parliament.
EDCS: The Expediency Discernment Council of the System.
Madhhab: religio
Madrasah: school
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