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Document Details : Title: Wisdom and Innovation in Islam Author(s): ÖNAL, Mehmet Journal: Studies in Interreligious Dialogue Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Date: 2007 Pages: 47-69 DOI: 10.2143/SID.17.1.2022752 Abstract : This paper examines the dynamism of Islam as a road of innovation derived from the practical application of Prophet Muhammad. It is argued here that the dynamic factor of Islamic teaching is found in his prophetic wisdom, rather than in a strict adherence (taqlid) to prophetic sayings (hadith). However, with the collection of these sayings into textual form and their exoteric interpretations, this practical aspect of the prophet seems to have lost its dynamic nature, i.e., its essential element of wisdom, and acquired an exoteric character almost throughout the entire Islamic world. As a result, Islamic wisdom gradually has lost the spirit of innovation that informed the prophetic practice. If Muslims do not regain this wisdom, radical and fundamentalist movements will continue, as well as a literal understanding of Islam. This paper therefore tries to answer the following questions: Why did Islam start to lose its wisdom? How can one start to discuss innovation in Islam and make Islamic thought dynamic again? |
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