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A discussion on the need to reintroduce metaphysics based upon the Islamic conception of reality and truth, a prominent theme found in the works of Professor Syed Naquib al-Attas. With Zain al-Haddad and Syed Muḥiyuddīn al-Attas.
WHAT WE TALK ABOUT IN THIS EPISODE
- Professor al-Attas’ open lectures
- Biography and scholarly background of Professor al-Attas
- Scholarly works of Professor al-Attas
- Western frameworks of knowledge distorting understandings of Islamic history in the Malay world
- The response of Professor al-Attas’ response to secular modes of thinking and colonial understandings of the Muslim world
- Process of secularism as detailed in Syed Naquib al-Attas’ work
- Severing of the connection of Muslims to the Islamic intellectual tradition
- What is metaphysics?
- The difference between Western metaphysics via Kant and Islamic metaphysics
- Sources of knowledge for Muslims
- Internal / external understandings of Revelation
- Parallels with the work of Imam al-Ghazali
- The method employed by Professor al-Attas in his exposition of metaphysics, and its connection to the ‘higher Sufis’
- Key terms and definitions; the importance of language in explaining and understanding truth
- A correct understanding of ’justice’ must be connected to a correct understanding and conception of man himself
- Corruption of the meaning of justice as a political conception, severed from metaphysics
- Secularisation vs. Islamisation as on-going processes
- Impact and influence of Professor al-Attas
PEOPLE / THINGS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas
- Book: Islam and Secularism by Syed Naquib al-Attas
- Shaykh Nūr al-Dīn al-Rānīrī, Shaykh al-Islām of Aceh is of Ḥaḍramī descent.
- Shaykh Ḥamzah Fanṣūrī, a ṣūfi reformer, introduces metaphysical concepts and discussion in the Malay world.
- Book: Orientalism by Edward Said
- Book: Restating Orientalism: A Critique of Modern Knowledge by Wael Hallaq
- Book: Prolegomena to the Metaphysics of Islam by Syed Naquib al-Attas
- Imam al-Ghazali
- Book: Islam: The Covenants Fulfilled by Syed Naquib al-Attas
- Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zainiy Uthman
- Habib Ahmad Mashur al-Haddad
- Book: The Myth of the Lazy Native by Syed Hussein Al-Attas
Zain al-Haddad read law in Malaysia. He then concurrently ran a bizarre participatory arts collective, a communications agency and Peace Meal Mukha Cafe (Kuala Lumpur’s ‘Rumi’s Cave’). In 2014 he moved to Tareem, Hadhramout for 5 years to study sacred sciences. After living in London, Glasgow and Granada, he’s back in Tareem where he also runs Ahlaha Studio and Co-Working Space.
Syed Muḥammad Muḥiyuddīn Al-ʿAṭṭās holds several regular series of talks in and around KL and Johor, on the Malay-Islamic intellectual heritage. He has taught Islamic Philosophy at the International Islamic College-University of Selangor, and lectured at ADNI Pre-University (KL) on the worldview of Islam, and Map of Knowledge. He holds a Master of Philosophy from CASIS (thesis titled ‘Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas’s Conception of the West’). He previously studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the University of Otago, New Zealand. Presently, he is based in Ḥadhramawt, Tarim, continuing his studies in the science of the soul with scholars and spiritual masters of the blessed valley.
