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Title Maryam Jameelah and William Montgomery Watt: A Comparative Study of their Religious and Political Thoughts

Author(s) Mr. Muhammad Waseem Saeed

Abstract Maryam Jameelah who in her quest for eternal truth, perceives Islam as a comprehensive and satisfying description of reality. She extends her intellect mainly in defense of the Islamic theology, its revival, political system, and against the work of orientalists and she refutes the conflicting philosophies of atheism, materialism, and secularism. She expounds religious and political parameters of Islam that guide people towards the acquisition of a utopian society which devise its conduct under the Divine guidance. Watt was an Islamicist whose thought examines pre-Islamic conditions of Arab world, religions existing before Islam, origin of Islam, role of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلمas a religious leader and as a statesman. He has discussed the political expedition of Islam from its evolutionary phase to its grandeur with its impact on the prevailing religious and political developments. In Islamic perspective politics is a part of religion and requires society in the context of religion to solve its problems. In religion, different views and new ideologies emerge with the passage of time that led towards serious problems. Same is the case with contemporary Muslim World as it is facing religious and political deterioration. The aim of this research is to comparatively evaluate the religious and political thoughts of Maryam Jameelah and William Montgomery Watt. The importance of outstanding works produced by Jameelah, and Watt necessitates their comparison for improved understanding of religion and politics in current situation. Method of historiography has been applied during comparative research, yet methods of historical and descriptive research have been employed too. The research has found that both scholars are agreed on the importance of religion and the submissiveness towards God, both accredited Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلمas an influential religious and political leader. Addressing the intellectual and practical problems confronting today's religion, this study discusses the way forward for those who believe in the importance of religious faith along with its political implications. It also examines issues such as the limitations of human thought, and the role of views which form the context within which Islam is borne. The research further finds that Jameelah’s thought is a plea for the collective implementation of the traditional Islamic principles for the attainment of Muslim political hegemony and she also encouraged the role of Muslim revivalist movements. Examining the close relationship between religious beliefs and political doctrine in Islamic framework, this research offers an account of how Islamic political thought has been developed from the politico-religious structure established by Prophet Muhammed صلى الله عليه وسلمand his immediate successors. Research recommends that religion is not separate from politics, and it is imperative to establish an Islamic rule according to the religious and political thought of Islam.

Type Thesis/Dissertation PhD

Faculty Social Sciences

Department Islamic thought & Culture

Language English

Publication Date 2022-11-24

Subject Islamic Studies

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