VALORIZING TIME AS A CIVILIZATIONAL ASSET: GLIMPSES INTO THE VIEWS OF MALIK BENNABI AND SAID NURSI

Abstract

This paper examines the notion of time not only as an interval or
period or unit of measurement made of seconds, minutes, hours,
days, weeks, months and years, but essentially as a civilizational and
spiritual asset. We need to valorize time as a source of civilizational
progress and development. Time is seen as a value and a source of
civilizational activity leading to progress and socio-cultural
development. Our understanding, appreciation and utilization of time
will partly depend on our perspective of life itself be it temporal or
eternal. How our worldviews articulate the notion of time bears
heavily on our action and dynamism in history and life. Our
worldview will make the notion of time a civilizing power and a place
for added value and progress or a way to decline. This paper
addresses the question of civilizational and spiritual value of time
stressing the need for educating people about time as a wealth that is
crucial in their self and collective development and progress. It
examines the notion of time as a civilizational asset that adds value
to the life and development of the individual and society as well. A
special reference will be made to selected views of both Malik
Bennabi (1905-1973) and Said Nursi (1878-1960), who might be
considered among the pioneering Muslim thinkers, who studied the
notion of time reflecting on its civilizational and spiritual
dimensions. The paper concludes that both scholars have made
important contribution to the study of time from an Islamic
perspective. While Malik Bennabi underscores the civilizational and
social aspects of time, Said Nursi stresses the importance of
metaphysical, spiritual and moral aspects of time. This paper also shows that the Quranic view of time is more comprehensive and all-encompassing.