Shari'ah Sciences at the Universities
Interest in the development of Shari'ah sciences at the universitieshas emerged in the context of efforts to reconstruct the cultural andintellectual paradigms of the Islamic umrnah and affirm its role indirecting and guiding the procession of hwnan culture. As a result ofthis interest, the International Institute of Islamic Thought, the IslamicStudies and Research Association, Jordan University, Yannouk University,and Mu'tah University held a conference on the subject.Institutions that deal with the Shari'ah sciences, particularlyuniversities, play a positive and effective role in awakening Islamicfeeling among Muslims and in preventing Islamic thought from beingdiverted and becoming stagnant. It is therefore mandatory to supportthem and their objectives so that they can function as solid springboardsfor Islamic thought and serve as preparation centers for thoseulama and du'at who are expected to resolve the crises besettingcontemporary Muslim and non-Muslim societies.The importance of the Shari'ah sciences and knowledge has beenrecognized by past and present Muslim reformers: i.e., al Ghazancalled for the restoration of the religious sciences and Ibn Taym1yahcalled for the enactment of Muslim behavior congruent with the Prophet'stradition. Furthermore, contemporary reform movements haveacknowledged the importance of this role and, consequently, consideredthe development of the Shari'ah sciences as a basic axis ofreform and modernization. Along this line, one can mention the contributionsof such reformers as I:Iassan al 'A,t,tar, Mul}amrnad 'Abduh,Mul}ammad Rash1d Ri(ia, Khayr al 01n al Tiinis1, Mubammad al Tahir'Ashiir, 'Abd al 'Azlz al Tha'labi, and lbn Badis. However, severalfactors nullified these reformative efforts: the cognitive and psychologicaldichotomy created by the prevailing duality of education aswell as the intellectual paradigm confirmed by the imitation of andpreoccupation with external (rather than internal) affairs. Unfortunately,such factors have defeated the reformers' efforts.Therefore, the continuous revision of the Shari'ah sciences andcurricula, as well as the reality of their institutions, must receive an ...