What is Islam, and who gets to decide?

What is Islam, and who gets to decide?
This semester, while we have looked at many different specific elements of “Islamic Civilization,” one of the threads that has linked much of this material is the overall question: What counts as properly “Islamic,” what doesn’t, and who has the right to decide? As we’ve discovered, this question is very difficult to answer. Not only have we found a multiplicity of sects and sub-sects, we have seen how even within each sect, madhhab, or ideological trend there can be multiple interpretations on any given issue. That doesn’t mean that various religious scholars haven’t tried. We have examined the work of several scholars in which arguments have been made about how to draw the line between proper Islam, and those beliefs and practices that lie outside that line. Ideological “tools” that have been used by some of these scholars include ijma` (consensus), bid`a (innovation), and kufr (unbelief). Others may not have referred specifically to one of these concepts, but all the same had much to say about how to define Islam.

In your essay, please choose three (3) of the following scholars/thinkers below and explain how they spoke to this central question of defining Islam. Be sure not only to describe their points of view, but also comment on any historical developments taking place just before or during their lifetimes that may have shaped or had an impact on their views. Include at least two (2) direct quotes for each thinker: one quote that accurately expresses their view, either from a primary source or secondary course material; and a second quote that references some historical development that may have impacted their view, most likely from your Brown text, a lecture, or other background material, but if there is an appropriate quote from the thinker themself, as in a primary source, that would be fine as well. All sources must be drawn from our course materials. Please do not use outside sources.

Imam Shafi`i

Omar Khayyam

Hamid al-Ghazali

Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab

Malak Hifni Nassef

You may brainstorm together with classmates, but your writing must be your own. You are responsible for understanding Rutgers’ policy on Academic Dishonesty, and will be held to account for any violations to this policy.

1000-1200 words
11.5 pt standard font; single-spaced

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