A Preliminary Analysis of The Classical views of the Concept of Integration of Knowledge

Abstract

Abstract

This paper analyzes classical discourse on the integration of knowledge by Muslim scholars. This includes terminology offered in the jima‘ al-‘ilm and al-qiyas of Muhammad Idris al-Shafi‘i (d. 204/820); the ihya’ of Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (d. 505/1111); the ‘ilm al-sana’i‘ of Ibn Khaldun (d.806/1406); and the funun of al-Dihlawi (d.1176/1762) that pertain to the concept of the integration of knowledge.  In-depth analysis of their writings reveals that they have already proposed the framework for knowledge integration that emphasizes the concept of soul, ma‘rifah, and their practical aspects. Their discussion of this framework has guided modern scholars to continue their noble efforts. Terms like Islamization (Aslamat al-ma‘rifah), Islamicization (Islamiyyat al-ma‘rifah), and the integration (al-takamul) of human knowledge have been proposed by modern Muslim scholars whose aim is to continue the efforts made by their predecessors.

Keywords: Islamic epistemology, integration of knowledge, Islamic spirituality, ethics.

Abstrak

Kajian ini menganalisis wacana klasik terhadap integrasi ilmu pengetahuan oleh ulama Islam. Ini termasuk istilah digunakan dalam Jima 'al-'ilm dan al-qiyas oleh Muhammad Idris al-Syafi'i (d 204/820); ihya oleh Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (d 505/1111); 'Ilm al-sana'i' oleh Ibn Khaldun (d.806/1406); dan funun oleh al-Dihlawi (d.1176 /1762) berkaitan dengan konsep integrasi ilmu pengetahuan. Analisis terperinci daripada penulisan mereka telah mencadangkan rangka kerja untuk menintegrasikan pengetahuan yang menekankan konsep jiwa, ma'rifah, dan aspek-aspek praktikal. Perbincangan dalam rangka kerja ini telah menjadi paduan kepada ulama moden untuk meneruskan usaha murni mereka. Terma seperti pengislaman (Aslamat al-ma'rifah), Islamisasi (Islamiyyat al-ma'rifah), dan integrasi (al-takamul) pengetahuan manusia yang telah dicadangkan oleh sarjana Islam moden bertujuan untuk meneruskan usaha-usaha yang dibuat oleh ulama terdahulu.

Kata Kunci: Epistemologi Islam, integrasi pengetahuan, kerohanian Islam, etika.