As we know, all sciences are good for
everybody and it must be objective to create a common knowledge legacy of
humanity. Therewith, objectivity is one of the most important principles of
science. 'Scientific objectivity expresses the idea that the claims, methods, and results of
science are not, or should not be influenced by particular perspectives, value
commitments, community bias or personal interests, to name a few relevant
factors'[1]. But
now or before, can we say this statement is valid for anthropology or all of the
social sciences which are based on western ideology?
Anthropology with its other name -the study of
men- as a general definition helps us to understand ourselves through
understanding other cultures. In western
ideology, it is claimed that societies follow the social development stages in which
western people are at the top of it. It means the western people are an example
of human perfection. Undoubtedly, this theory was inspired by Darwinism. At the same time, it reveals to us how
social sciences were coordinated with positive sciences but this is outside
the subject. After that, there are a couple of questions which have a big importance for
everyone; how western idea presents their findings which consists of the number
of doubts as a common social or scientific reality? Why western people are at
the top of this ranking? And what is the line which separates people from
each other and makes some of them superior to the others? As a basic example, how a
black man cannot have the same right as a white man?
The book Toward Islamic Anthropology: Definition, Dogma, and
Directions by Akbar Ahmad is written to touch on these problems and to
emphasize the conflict between Western and Islamic perspectives because of their
different understanding of the world.
This book consists of two main parts; in the
first part, the author describes the science of anthropology and it's the connection with other sciences of man. The author explains how anthropology is connected
with the colonial encounter from some aspects. This part of the book gives an
overview of the most important issues of anthropology and its working area. In
addition, talking about the history of anthropology from the beginning, it explains western anthropological understanding. He says nearly all studies which
had done until this time are based on western thought. So the author claims that
Muslim society must rebuild the science of anthropology inspired by the
universal principles of Islam. He expresses anthropology in Islamic perspective
with these words: ‘We may define Islamic anthropology loosely as the study of
Muslim groups by scholars committed to the universalistic principles of Islam
-humanity knowledge tolerance- relating micro village tribal studies in
particular to the larger historical and ideological frames of Islam’ [2]
In the second part, He is talking about Islamic anthropology and how it can be built.
He also mentions about Muslim societies and demonstrates the society during the
time of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w).
At
least, according to the Islamic perspective, there is no difference between
people because of their color of skin or properties or ancestors. As prophet
Muhammad (s.a.w) says: ‘There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab,
nor for a non-Arab over an Arab. Neither is the white superior over the black
nor is the black superior over the white -- except by piety.’ It means the
one thing which separates us in relation to Allah. Outside it, there is not
any difference or superiority between people. All this, we can say the author
aimed to draw the plan of new anthropology and to rebuild it compatible with
Islamic principles.
Appreciate this post. Will try it out.
ReplyDeleteHowdy! This post could not be written any better! Looking at this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I will forward this post to him. Fairly certain he's going to have a good read. I appreciate you for sharing!
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