Islamic Research Institute
The Islamic Research Institute was founded in Pakistan in 1960 with the mission of adapting and interpreting the teachings of Islam amidst the intellectual and scientific progress of the contemporary world. In 1980, the Institute merged with the International Islamic University in Islamabad, becoming its research wing.
Historical Background
From 1962 to 1968, the Islamic Research Institute was directed by Fazlur Rahman, a renowned Islamic scholar who highlighted the challenges of integrating Western academic methods with Islamic content—a necessity faced by the Institute. Rahman noted these initial difficulties, reflecting the gap in training among students and scholars in Pakistan in both Western academic methodologies and traditional Islamic sciences.
Vision and Mission
The core mission of the Islamic Research Institute is to interpret Islamic teachings so they resonate with contemporary intellectual and scientific advancements. This includes the production of well-researched texts that reflect both sincere faith and scholarly rigor, thereby contributing to the modernist endeavor of defining the meaning of Islamic experience in today’s world.
Contributions
The scholars affiliated with the Islamic Research Institute have produced numerous works, including critical editions of classical Islamic texts and modern scholarly books. Their efforts have consistently strived to align traditional Islamic teachings with the demands and questions of the modern age.
Etymology and Translations
- Arabic: معهد البحث الإسلامي (Maʿhad al-Baḥth al-Islāmī)
- Turkish: İslami Araştırma Enstitüsü
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “Islam and Modernity: Transformation of an Intellectual Tradition” by Fazlur Rahman
- “Renewing Islam by Service: A Christian View of Fethullah Gulen and the Hizmet Movement” by Pim Valkenberg
- “The Idea of the Muslim World: A Global Intellectual History” by Cemil Aydin
Takeaways
- The Islamic Research Institute was established to interpret Islam in the context of modern intellectual and scientific advances.
- Fazlur Rahman, a prominent scholar, directed the Institute, emphasizing the integration of Western academic methodologies with Islamic content.
- The affiliated scholars have successfully produced research work that vividly ties traditional Islamic teachings with contemporary contexts.
Conclusion
The Islamic Research Institute stands as a pioneering institution in the intersection of Islamic scholarship and modern intellectual discourse. By actively engaging in rigorous study and interpretation, it continues to define the relevance of Islamic thought in an evolving global landscape.
