Classification of knowledge in the Islamic civilization: from al-Ghazālī to al-Faṭānī
Intellectual discourse on classification of knowledge is a sub-topic in epistemology. In Islamic tradition, the philosophy of epistemology has its own uniqueness, besides being a distinguishing landmark in historical perspective between the Islamic and other civilizations. This study attempts...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
2021
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| Online Access: | http://journalarticle.ukm.my/17284/1/49082-159537-1-PB.pdf http://journalarticle.ukm.my/17284/ https://ejournal.ukm.my/jhadhari/issue/view/1408 |
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| Summary: | Intellectual discourse on classification of knowledge is a sub-topic in epistemology.
In Islamic tradition, the philosophy of epistemology has its own uniqueness, besides
being a distinguishing landmark in historical perspective between the Islamic and
other civilizations. This study attempts to understand the concept of knowledge
classification based on the perspectives of Abu Ḥāmid Muḥammad (hereafter
mentioned as al-Ghazālī) (d. 1111CE) and Aḥmad bin Muḥammad Zayn (hereafter
mentioned as al-Faṭānī) (d. 1908CE). In order to relate the purpose and objectives
of knowledge to the Islamic Civilization, this study will identify the continuation
of the idea on classification of knowledge in historical perspective. In addition,
the comparison is to understand the connection between the classical knowledge
classification in the Middle East to contemporary classification in the Malay World.
Understanding al-Ghazālī’s perspective based on primary and secondary resources found that the general classification divided knowledge into two major categories,
namely, ʿilm muʿāmalah (knowledge/science of transactions/proper conduct) and ʿilm
mukāshafah (knowledge/science of unveiling). al-Faṭānī’s concept of classification
was understood through his work entitled Fatāwā al-Faṭāniyyah which discussed 107
fatwas. Early content analysis of al-Faṭānī’s works showed that he indirectly followed
the classification of knowledge conceived by al-Ghazali. This study is important to
understand the role of knowledge as an essential foundation of the Islamic Civilization
and its relevance to Islamization of contemporary knowledge. |
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