Chat

Author

Oct 01, 2012 | Closed

On his new book 'Jihad or Ijtihad'

Renowned historian and scholar S Irfan Habib takes it upon himself to trace the trajectory of 'mainstream' Islam's questioning of modern science. Starting with the reformers of the nineteenth century and ending with present-day ideologues, Habib questions the controversial idea of 'Islamic science' as a category distinct from 'modern', 'Eurocentric' science. Through the lives of famous men like Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Habib shows the reader that the modern-day promulgation of Islam and its followers as 'anti-modern' and 'anti-science' is a myth that leads, quite literally, to explosive consequences.

This chat is over. Thanks for joining.

Why don't the Gulf states with huge Petro-dollars take Lead in spreading modern,science education for their citizens? Asked by: sanjeev kumar
They are using modern technology for everything but modern science is still seen as something dangerous which will impact on people's faith. However, there are attempts being made to get over this erroneous belief.
Some arabian women started coming out of their houses. But how many years will it take for arabian women to have full freedom and equal rights atleast like indian women, let alone western ? Asked by: Vikas rawat
i believe that they will one day win their rights. Arab society has been repressive in during pre-Islamic times and Islam did help to change that in the beginning. But sadly the vested interests among the clergy took control soon after few centuries and the battle is still going on.
What should be the role of Muslim Scholars in this situation. Most of the Ulemas are confused as they donot have English + Arabic Education. Ulemas like Tahir Ul Quadri are the only ones who are openly condeming the wrong doing in Islam. Shouldnt we follow him ? Asked by: Zaheer
yes, that is true. But still i don't understand why should Muslims look up to Ulema in matters like science and why should people go to them to ask questions which they can't answer. Ultimately they end up saying things which are away from the real issues of the modern world. No other community does that so much as Muslims do.
Mr. Habib, with the recent turn of events, we have realised that even hinting about Islam can have dire consequences, be it direct insult or misinterpretations. So do you think your book can hurt a vein or two? Asked by: Arun Asokan
It may but my book is more against Islamism, which is a political category masquerading as Islam.
People in countries like pakistan go into rage on cartoon,movie asking for outlawing of any criticism of prophet, yet they treat other religions with contempt.why this double-standard? Asked by: sanjeev kumar
Surely, this attitude is not justified at all and is again, as i said earlier a result of this self rigteousness, where anything other than Islamic is seen as hostile. This was not true few decades ago.
Sometimes it feels that terms like 'minority appeasement policy' and 'pseudo secularism' are true. Your comments? Asked by: Atul Anand
These are all political categories, which unfortunately help political parties to thrive, nothing much to do with muslims and their conditions-educational, economic as well as intellectual.
Is Sir Syed Ahmed Khan one of those modernists? Asked by: Faizal
Yes, Syed Ahmad was one but there were many others who are not so well known and who preceded him like Maulvi Karamat Ali. His contemporaries like Munshi Zakaullah and Afghani.
Do you feel that if more Muslim youths got to know more about modern science and its evolution it will wean them away from extremist ideas and a feeling of victimhood? But what if more involvement with modern science would lead to their disillusionment with Islam itself as the only righteous path ? would that be a healthy sign ? Asked by: Tauseef
I don't think modern science should wean them away from Islam. This question was not relevant just a few decades ago and we saw Muslims pursuing science and their faith together. It is more recently that this feeling has crept in that encourages a more sectarian approach towards modern science.
I am going to go and get this book as I am a big fan. But it would be good if you lay out the basic premise of your argument. Asked by: A. Bhattacharya
The basic premise is to question the essentialist argument that there is something called "Islamic science" which is just based on Quran and hadis. And I do that by using my 19th century Muslim modernists who had a more cross-civilizational approach towards knowledge.
Is the problem with Islam about how it is perceived or is it more rooted in the problems faced by all the Abrahamic faiths? Asked by: S. Bhaduri
Partly true, but Islam has a problem which is distinct from other Abrahamic religions. And this distinction has crept in just a few decades ago. The role of Wahabi Islam, promoted by the Saudi money and exported all over the world has created a unique situation, which did not exist even during my younger days. Islam is more intolerant and self-righteous now.
Sir, I want to ask some really relevant questions here. What do you say about increasing religious extremism in India? I would like to mention here that I am against every kind of extremism. Why do some 'religious people' blindly (or intentionally) support taliban and its idea of enacting 'sharia' all over the world? There are intellectuals and communists in Pakistan who have rigorously opposed extremism there. but why do Indian communists keep mum on this issue? Asked by: Atul Anand
No extremism of any variety should be supported, whether it is political or religious. Surely Pakistani liberals and communists are fighting a battle under severe conditions. But I don't agree that Indian communists keep silent on the issue or support it.
Sir, Dont you think that the life of an average Muslim need to go northwards, and the leaders of the community should take up the responsibility to make them feel secure and not victims. Asked by: Vidyut
Of course, leaders have to take that responsibility. But in a secular democratic country, even others can get in and help in the upliftment of the community, like anyone else.