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INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA
COURSE OUTLINE
Kulliyyah Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences
Department Department of General Studies
Programme Bachelor
Course Title Islam: Knowledge and Civilization
Course Code UNGS 2040
Status University requirement
Level Undergraduate
Credit Hours
3
Contact Hours 3
Pre-requisites
(if any)
UNGS 2030
Co-requisites
(if any)
None
Instructional
Strategies
Lectures, group discussion, presentation, review of relevant materials.
Course
Assessment
LO Method %
1 & 2 Mid-term Examination 20
1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 Term-paper 20
1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 Quizzes & review of relevant
materials
10
1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 Final Examination 50
Total 100
Instructor(s) To be determined
Semester
Offered
Every semester
Course Synopsis This course deals with the basic issues that lead to a good understanding of
theory of knowledge and civilization from Islamic and non-Islamic
perspectives. It describes the contribution of Muslim scholars and
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scientists in different fields of knowledge and science throughout the
history of Muslim civilization. The course also reviews some
contemporary challenges facing the Muslim Ummah and the possible
solutions to overcome them with reference to the concept of ‚Islam
Hadhari‛.
Course
Objectives
This course aims at:
1. Acquainting students with meanings, objectives and importance of
knowledge and civilization from Islamic perspective.
2. Describing and elucidating the various sources of knowledge and
methodologies of scientific inquiry from both Islamic and non-Islamic
perspectives.
3. Examining the laws and patterns of rise and fall of civilizations.
4. Recognizing and acknowledging Muslim contributions to various fields
of knowledge and science.
5. Creating awareness of the challenges confronting Muslims in the fields
of science and technology and exploring the possible ways to revive
Muslim civilization.
Learning
Outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Explain the concepts of knowledge, science and civilization.
2. Critically elaborate on various methodologies of scientific inquiry.
3. Explain the impact of Islamic civilization on other civilizations
including modern Western civilization.
4. Identify contemporary challenges facing Muslims in the fields of
science and technology and the expected responses to them.
5. Suggest the possible ways of fulfilling the requirements of reviving
Muslim civilization.
Content Outlines
Weeks Topics Task/Reading
Islam and Knowledge
1
- Meaning of knowledge - Qadir (1991), 5-14.
2
- Classification of knowledge - Bakar (2006), 121-
151, 203-226, 249-
262, 263-270.
Sources of Knowledge
3
Al-WaÍy (Revelation): The Qur’an &
the Sunnah
- Al-Attas (1989), 45-
66.
- Mohammed &
Hussain (2003), 67-
82.
- Ilyas (2002), 49-68.
- Nyazee (2000), 162-
181.
3
4
Al-‘Aql (Reason) - Al-Attas (1989), 45-
66.
- Bakar (2006), Chap.
3.
- Davutoglo (1994), 70–
72.
5
Nature & Al-×awās (Senses) - Al-Attas (1989), 45-
66.
- Bakar (2006), Chap.
3.
- Rahman (1994), 65-
79.
Methodology in Sciences
6
- Definition of methodology
- Safi (1996), 3-24.
- Al-Attas (1992), 1-36.
- Yousif (2004), 97-
114.
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- Kinds of methodologies
1) Methodology in revealed
knowledge.
2) Methodology in human
knowledge (pure & social
sciences).
3) Integrative methodology of
revealed knowledge and
human knowledge.
- Safi (1996), 3-24.
- al-Attas (1992), 1-36.
- Yousif (2004), 97-
114.
- Bakar (2006), 69-93.
Islam and Civilization
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- Meaning of civilization
- Civilization and culture
- Characteristics of civilization
(TawÍÊd of God, universality,
moderate rationalism, preservation
of humans rights and rights of
minorities, integration, tolerance,
etc.)
- Al-Faruqi (1986), 23-
48.
- El-Mesawi (1998),
107-138.
- Ibn Khaldun (1986),
87-184.
- Bennabi (1991), 7-41.
- As-Sibaa‘ie (2003),
63-85.
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- Patterns of rise and fall of
civilizations.
- Factors behind the rise and decline of
Muslim civilization
- Al-Faruqi (1986), 23-
48.
- El-Mesawi (1998),
107-138.
- Ibn Khaldun (1986),
87-184.
- Bennabi (1991), 7-41.
- Arslan (2004), 1-8 &
22-50.
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The Contribution of Muslim Scholars
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Natural Sciences
- Nasr (1997), 126-285
& 325-327.
- Sardar (1996), 144-
177.
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Human Sciences - Nasr (1997), 126-285
& 325-327.
- Sardar, (1996), 144-
177.
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Revealed Sciences - Al-‘Azami (2003),
165-193.
Some Challenges Confronting Muslims Today
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- Challenges of modern science and
technology and Muslim responses.
- Sardar (1985), 66-75.
- Nasr (1994), 180-191.
- As-Sibaa‘ie (2003),
195-248.
14 - Challenges of reviving Islamic
civilization.
- IslÉm HadhÉri: Its role in reviving
Islamic civilization.
- Kamal Hasan (2005).
- JAKIM (2004).
References Required
As-Sibaa‘ie, M. (2003). Civilization of faith: A journey through Islamic
history. (N. al-Khattab, Trans.). Riyadh: International Islamic
Publishing House.
Bakar, O. (2006). Classification of knowledge in Islam: A study of Islamic
philosophies of science. Kuala Lumpur: ISTAC, IIUM.
Bakar, Osman et.al. (Eds.)(2009). Modul Pengajian Tamadun Islam dan
Tamadun Asia (TITAS). Kuala Lumpur: Universiti Malaya.
Nasr, S. H. (1983). Science and civilization in Islam. Lahore: Suhail
Academy.
Recommended
Acikgenc, A. (1996). Islamic science: Towards a definition. Kuala
Lumpur: ISTAC.
Al-Attas, S. M. N. (1989). Aqā’id al-NasafÊ. Kuala Lumpur: University
Malaya.
Al-Attas, S. M. N. (1992). Islam and secularism. Kuala Lumpur: ISTAC.
Al-‘Azami, M. M. (2003). The history of the Qur’anic text from revelation
to compilation: A comparative study with the Old and New
Testaments. UK: Islamic Academy.
Al-Faruqi, I. R. (1986). The cultural atlas of Islam. New York: Macmillan.
Arslan, A. S. (2004). Our decline: Its causes and remedies. Kuala
Lumpur: Islamic Book Trust.
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Bakar, O. (1991). Tawhid and science: Religious orthodoxy and the battle
for rationality. UK: Zed Books Ltd.
Bennabi, M. (1991). Islam in history and society. Kuala Lumpur: Berita
Publishing.
Davutoglu, A. (1994). Civilizational transformation and the Muslim
world. Kuala Lumpur: Mahir publications.
El-Mesawi, M. T. (1998). A Muslim theory of human society. Batu Caves,
Selangor: Thinker’s Library.
JAKIM. (2004). The Concept of Islam Hadhari. Kuala Lumpur:
Percetakan Nasional Malaysia Berhad.
Ibn Khaldun, A. R. (1986). Al-Muqaddimah (Vol. 1).(F. Rosenthal,
Trans.). London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
IIIT. (1982). Islam: Source and purpose of knowledge. Herndon, Virginia:
International Institute of Islamic Thought.
Ilyas, M. (Ed.). (2002). The unity of science and religion. Kuala Lumpur:
A.S. Noordeen.
Kamal Hasan (2005). Islam Hadhari ‚civilizational Islam‛: An approach to
a new government policy. Journal of Islam in Asia, 2 (1), 99-110.
Mohammed, R. & Hussain D. (Eds.). (2003). Islam: The way of revival.
(vol. 1). Markfield: Revival.
Nasr, S. H. (1994). A young Muslim’s guide to the modern world. Petaling
Jaya, Selangor: Mekar Publishers.
Nyanzee, I. A. K. (2000). Islamic jurisprudence. Virginia: International
Institute of Islamic Thought.
Qadir, C. A. (1991). Philosophy and science in Islamic world. USA:
Routledge.
Safi, L. (1996). The foundation of knowledge. Petaling Jaya, Selangor:
IIUM.
Sardar, Z. (1985). Islamic futures: Reclaiming a heritage. London:
Mansell.
Siddiqi, M. Z. (1993). Hadith literature. Cambridge: Islamic Text Society.
Toynbee, A. J. (1946). A study of history. New York: Oxford University
Press.
Yousif, A. F. (2004). Islam and science: A Southeast Asian perspective.
Kuala Lumpur: Research Center.
Proposed Start
Date (Semester) Semester I, 2006/2007
Batch of
Students to be
Affected
Semester I,2006/2007
Prepared by: Checked by: Approved by:
__________________ ________________ ________________
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( ) ( ) (Dean/Director)
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NOTE:
1. The course outlines should reflect the course description/synopsis and Islamic mission
of the university as well as to provide the room for Islamic critique.
2. Latest editions of textbooks and references should be used unless otherwise necessary
or if the course is classical in nature. Please check with the library to ensure that the
books are up-to-date and incorporating the latest edition.
3. The reference lists shall be presented in accordance with APA bibliographic practices
and in alphabetical order.
4. The reference title shall be italicised or underlined or bold. If in doubt, please consult
the Librarian.
5. Proposed course outlines should be presented to the Senate Standing Committee for
approval at least four months prior to the course offering.
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COURSE ASSESSMENT MATRIX
ISLAM, KNOWLEDGE AND CIVILIZATION (UNGS 2040)
ISLAM, KNOWLEDGE
AND CIVILIZATION
OBJECTIVES /
OUTCOME INDICATORS/
COURSE
1
. E
xp
lain
th
e co
nce
pts
of
kno
wle
dg
e, s
cien
ce a
nd
civ
iliz
atio
n.
2
. C
riti
call
y e
lab
ora
te o
n v
ario
us
met
ho
do
log
ies
of
scie
nti
fic
inq
uir
y.
3
. E
xp
lain
th
e im
pac
t o
f Is
lam
ic c
ivil
izat
ion
on
oth
er
civ
iliz
atio
ns
incl
ud
ing
mo
der
n W
este
rn c
ivil
izat
ion
.
4
. Id
enti
fy c
on
tem
po
rary
ch
alle
ng
es f
acin
g M
usl
ims
in t
he
fiel
ds
of
scie
nce
an
d t
ech
no
logy
and
th
e
exp
ecte
d r
espo
nse
s to
th
em.
5. S
ug
ges
t th
e p
oss
ible
way
s o
f fu
lfil
lin
g t
he
req
uir
emen
ts o
f re
viv
ing
Mu
slim
civ
iliz
atio
n.
Final Examination 3 3 3 3 2
Mid Semester Examination 3 2 - - -
Term-paper 3 2 3 3 2
Quizzes & review of relevant
materials 3 2 3 3 2