Asia Institute - Research Publications
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ItemA Critique of the Concept of Ḥākimiyya: Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd’s Approach(MDPI AG, 2022-11-14)This article seeks to demonstrate how the Egyptian scholar Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd (d. 2010) challenges the concept of divine sovereignty (ḥākimiyya), or the rule of God, developed during the twentieth century, primarily by Sayyid Qutb and Abul Ala Mawdudi—a concept that has inspired many Sunni Islamist movements. The article first explores key aspects of the concept of ḥākimiyya as presented by these two thinkers. Then, key components of Abu Zayd’s humanistic hermeneutics are explained briefly. The article argues that Abu Zayd uses this hermeneutic to challenge the concept of ḥākimiyya and the three main ideas associated with it: (1) the notion of divine sovereignty; (2) the associations between divine sovereignty, the Prophet, and the Qurʾān; and (3) the necessity of implementing Sharia. The article concludes that while challenging the concept of divine sovereignty, Abu Zayd argues for a political theory which seeks to de-politicize Islam—a theory which emphasizes that the state should take a neutral position toward the religious orientation of its citizens and the state law should not necessarily be derived from religious principles.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableInclusivism and Exclusivism among Muslims Today between Theological and Social Dimensions(RSIS: Singapore, 2021)Inclusivist views about people of other religions or no religion (non-Muslims) are crucial for harmonious interreligious relations in societies that are becoming increasingly diverse. However, in the case of Islam, achieving this is fraught with challenges. Within the Islamic tradition, there are long-held theologically exclusivist views about other religions, such as salvation is only available through Islam and religions other than Islam are invalid. These positions can be referred to as theologically exclusivist and are often difficult to challenge due to their pervasiveness and because they are generally considered key Muslim beliefs. The paper highlights some attempts made by a number of contemporary Muslim thinkers to adopt theologically inclusivist views that challenge such theologically exclusivist positions. However, their views are still seen as too radical for mainstream Muslims and are thus often marginalised. This paper argues that the challenges that theological inclusivists face should not prevent us from adopting inclusivist views about people of other religions or no religion. The emphasis then is on addressing negative ideas about people of other religions that have developed in the Islamic tradition, such as the inequality of non-Muslims to Muslims, and developing positive ideas, such as the equality of all people. Here the focus is on social inclusivism which appears to be a more feasible project. Such a shift from theological inclusivism to social inclusivism is likely to lead to better relations between Muslims and non-Muslims.
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ItemLimitations on religious freedom in Islam: Rethinking through the Maqasid?(Routledge - Taylor & Francis, 2015-03-16)This handbook features new, specially commissioned papers by a range of eminent scholars and offers a comprehensive overview of the field of law and religion including its historical development.
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ItemReading the Qur'an in the Twenty-First Century(Fondazione Internazionale Oasis, 2016)
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ItemIslamic teachings on contemporary issues for young Muslims(National Centre of E, 2016)
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ItemDevelopment of Religious Freedom in Islamic Thought(Berkley Centerfor Religion, Peace & World Affairs - Georgetown university, 2014)
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ItemThe nature and purpose of the community(Georgetown University Press, 2015-03-12)This book presents the proceedings of the twelfth Building Bridges Seminar in Doha, Qatar in 2013, an annual gathering of Christian and Muslim scholars founded by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
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ItemTheological and cultural foundations for an inclusivist view of the religious 'other' in Islamic tradition(Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, 2015)
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ItemSearching for Identity: Muslims in Australia(University of New South Wales Press, 2001)
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ItemThe Muslim Community Cooperative of Australia as an Islamic Financial Service Provider(University of New South Wales Press, 2001)