The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences Vol. 6, No . I. 1989 191 

Conferences/Seminars 

The Seminar on "The Sunnah and its Methodology 
for Structuring Knowledge and Civilization" 

Amman, Jordan 
Dhu al Qi"dah LS-18, 14()9/June 19-22, 1989 

The Seminar on "The Sunnah and its Methodology for Structuring 
Knowledge and Civilization" was held as the Seventh General Assembly of 
the Jordanian Royal Academy for Islamic Civilizational Research (The Aal 
Al-Bayt Foundation), and in coopertion with the IIIT of Washington, D.C. 
One hundred and twenty six Muslim scholars took part in the Seminar. 

The Discussions: 

The Seminar revolved around three axes. The first included an overview 
of previous Sunnah conferences and seminars. The second encompassed current 
efforts in compiling and serving the Sunn.ah in the spheres of publication , 
exacting research, explanation , epitomization; and in whatever pertains to 
compilation, indexing, and the utilization of computers in classification. The 
third axis. which included the presentation of nine papers with two 
commentaries on each, dealt with the main topic of the Seminar, namely, 
the explication of the Sunnah. the methodology of utilizing it in argumentation, 
and the precepts and methods involved therein ; the means of comprehending 
it and dealing with it in the past and present; and the refutation of the allegations 
made against it. The presentations and commentaries spoke of the Sunnah 
as a source of knowledge, Islamic legislation, and education-emphaS'izing 
its role in international law and its function in erecting the Ummah's 
cultural/inteUectual edifice, and civilization. 

In addition , three reports on the use of computers in the service of the 
Sunnah were presented at the Seminar. The participants were also informed 
of the efforts of a number of foundations actively serving the Sunnah in different 
parts of the world. 

There were widespread discussions in the Seminar emphasizing the 
importance of the noble Sunnah, since it is the Qur'an and the Sunnah which 
constitute the two main sources of Shari'ah. Together, both sources should 
be adopted as the cornerstone in building contemporary Islamic life, and 
as a foundation for the Islamization of the Hwnanities and the Social Sciences 
that would depend on two sources of knowledge: revelation and reason . 



192 The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences Vol. 6, No. 1. 1989 

Recommendations: 

The Seminar arrived at the following recommendations: 

First: 

There is a dire need to study previous conferences and seminars on the 
Sunnah and Seerah, as well as all effort exerted in their service in order 
to build upon it and facilitate its utUization. 

Despite the appreciation of the efforts exerted in the first two axes of 
this Seminar, the need exists to complete the survey of all conferences, 
seminars, and other efforts exerted; and to study their activity according to 
methodological criteria that would realize the goals of this process. Therefore, 
the Seminar recommends that the Royal Academy for Islamic Civilizational 
Research, in cooperation with the lllT, undertake the preparation of this study. 
and the publication and dissemination of an analytic index of all these efforts 
to researchers and scholars. 

Second: 

Although the Seminar appreciated efforts exerted illustrating the legal 
authoritativeness of the Sunnah, and refuting doubts cast against it in the 
past and present , it called for a focus on the issues related to the understanding 
of the Sunnah and an illustration of its role, along with that of the Qur'an, 
in building contemporary Islamic life. This focus starts with the Islamic 
conception of the issues of existence (the universe, life, and man). It involves 
values and ethical, educational, intellectual, cultural, and social views which 
constitute the foundation of the Islamic economic and political system. The 
focus ends with a well-integrated edifice of human civilization that deals with 
the reaJities of life and interacts with the challenges of the age. This is to 
be coupled with an emphasis on the Islamiz.ation of the Humanities and the 
Social Sciences so as to realize, by the Will of Allah (SWT), the Ummah's 
renaissance and progress. The Seminar also stressed that forthcoming Sunnah 
and Seerah conferences and seminars should strive towards the realization 
of these goals in accordance with a well-integrated, comprehensively and 
objectively structured. scientific plan of action that would be prepared by 
a team of Islamic scholars specializing in various fields of knowledge. The 
concerns of this plan should include: 



The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences Vol. 6. No. l, 1989 

1 . The elucidation of the Sunnah's distinctive approach in 
acquiring knowledge and building civilization. 

2 . The meticulous compilation of the noble ayat and illustrious 
Prophetic traditions (Hadiths) that deal with Allah's laws 
regarding the universe, man, and society; and their objective 
classification under all the fields of knowledge. 

3. The devotion of special attention to comparative studies, and 
the accomplishments of human civilization in various fields 
of knowledge in order to reveal the preeminence of the 
Sunnah. 

4 . The preparation of a comprehensive classification of the 
proposed research in all fields of knowledge. 

5 . The recommendation of the research approach and 
methodology required for the implementation of the plan in 
a way that would safeguard the uniqueness of Islamic Sciences, 
and firmly establish the foundation of Islamic Epistemology 
which endorses revelation and reason as the two sources of 
knowledge. 

193 

The Seminar also recommended that the Royal Academy for Islamic 
Civilizational Research and the IDT follow up the implementation of these 
recommendations. 

Third: 

The Seminar emphasized that the process of utilizing the Sunnah in order 
to realize the aforementioned goals required that special attention be devoted 
to the following: 

I . The continuation of efforts aimed at properly researching, 
publishing, utilizing, and providing easy access to the Sunnah 
books which are still in manuscript form. 

2. The completion of the encyclopedias of the Hadith, the 
Sciences of Hadith, and the narrators and authentic sources 
of Hadith. 

3. The preparation of tables of contents and objective, analytic 
indices that are arranged in accordance with the words of 
the Sunnah and under topic headings-particularly those 
appearing in modem sciences: the Humanities, the Social 
Sciences, and the Physical Sciences. 



194 The American Journal of lslamic Social Sciences Vol. 6, No. I, 1989 

4 . The extraction and interpretation of all Hadiths after carefully 
scrutinizing the ascription (isnad) of each Hadith [i.e. , the 
uninterrupted chain of authorities on which it is based] and 
its text according to stipulated scientific criteria; and the 
publication of the results of this effort on a wide scale through 
all available means. 

5. The creation of a database bank for the Sunnah, Seerah, and 
the Qur'an which would provide all possible services to 
researchers and scholars. 

6. The preparation and training of scientific cadres needed to 
complete these projects; and the selection of the highest of 
standards for their implementation due to their importance 
and the pressing need for them. 

Rmrtb: 

In order to realize the aforementioned ends, the Seminar recommended 
that Jordan's Royal Academy for Islamic Civilizational Research call upon 
the foundations actively engaged in the service of the Sunnah (through exacting 
research , classification, organization, and the utilization of computers) to 
attend a seminar to discuss coordination and cooperation between them. This 
cooperation would involve a comprehensive plan with projects to be allocated 
to these foundations for development and implementation. Each project would 
carry the name of the foundation implementing it. 

The meetings of these foundations for reviewing the plan and its 
implementation phases would become periodical. The Royal Academy for 
Islamic Civilizational Research will cooperate with the lliT, and all other 
foundation s and agencies assisting in the implementation of this 
recommendation. 

Fifth: 

The Seminar recommended that great care be devoted to the teaching 
of the Sunnah and Seerah in universities and at various educational stages 
in Arab and Islamic countries in particular. This should be done in a way 
that would illustrate the role of the Sunnah in the formulation of Islamic 
life, and reveal its great contribution to various fields of knowledge. 



The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences Vol. 6. No. I. 1989 

l . The elucidation of the Sunnah's distinctive approach in 
acquiring knowledge and building civilization. 

2 . The meticulous compilation of the noble ayat and illustrious 
Prophetic traditions (Hadiths) that deal with Allah's laws 
regarding the universe, man, and society; and their objective 
classification under all the fields of knowledge. 

3. The devotion of special attention to comparative studies, and 
the accomplishments of human civilization in various fields 
of knowledge in order to reveal the preeminence of the 
Sunnah. 

4. The preparation of a comprehensive classification of the 
proposed research in all fields of knowledge. 

5 . The recommendation of the research approach and 
methodology required for the implementation of the plan in 
a way that would safeguard the uniqueness of Islamic Sciences, 
and firmly establish the foundation of Islamic Epistemology 
which endorses revelation and reason as the two sources of 
knowledge. 

193 

The Seminar also recommended that the Royal Academy for Islamic 
Civilizational Research and the IlIT follow up the implementation of these 
recommendations . 

Third: 

The Seminar emphasized that the process of utilizing the Sunnah in order 
to realize the aforementioned goals required that special attention be devoted 
to the following: 

I . The continuation of efforts aimed at properly researching, 
publishing, utilizing, and providing easy access to the Sunnah 
books which are still in manuscript form. 

2. The completion of the encyclopedias of the Hadith, the 
Sciences of Hadith, and the narrators and authentic sources 
of Hadith. 

3. The preparation of tables of contents and objective, analytic 
indices that are arranged in accordance with the words of 
the Sunnah and under topic headings-particularly those 
appearing in modem sciences: the Humanities, the Social 
Sciences, and the Physical Sciences. 



194 The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences Vol. 6, No. I. 1989 

4 . The extraction and interpretation of all Hacliths after carefully 
scrutinizing the ascription (isnad) of each Hadith [i.e., the 
uninterrupted chain of authorities on which it is based] and 
its text according to stipulated scientific criteria; and the 
publication of the results of this effort on a wide scale through 
all available means. 

5. The creation of a database bank for the Sunnah, Seerah, and 
the Qur'an which would provide alJ possible services to 
researchers and scholars. 

6. The preparation and training of scientific cadres needed to 
complete these projects; and the selection of the highest of 
standards for their implementation due to their importance 
and the pressing need for them. 

Fourth: 

In order to realize lhe aforementioned ends, the Seminar recommended 
that Jordan's Royal Academy for Islamic Civilizational Research caJJ upon 
the foundations actively engaged in the service of the Sunnah (through exacting 
research, classification, organization, and the utilization of computers) to 
attend a seminar to discuss coordination and cooperation between them. This 
cooperation would involve a comprehensive plan with projects to be allocated 
to these foundations for development and implementation. Each project would 
carry the name of the foundation implementing it. 

The meetings of these foundations for reviewing the plan and its 
implementation phases would become periodical. The Royal Academy for 
Islamic Civilizational Research will cooperate with the IDT, and all other 
foundations and agencies assisting in the implementation of this 
recommendation . 

Fifth: 

The Seminar recommended that great care be devoted to the teaching 
of the Sunnah and Seerah in universities and at various educational stages 
in Arab and Islamic countries in particular. This should be done in a way 
that would illustrate the role of the Sunnah in the formuJation of Islamic 
life, and reveal its great contribution to various fields of knowledge. 



The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences Vol. 6, No. l. 1989 195 

Sixth: 

The Seminar commended the great scientific efforts of the Royal Academy 
for Islamic Civilizational Research in the spheres of Islamic Sciences and 
Civilization and expressesed its appreciation of the research , studies, and 
indices produced in record time and with exceptional proficiency. 

The Seminar also appreciated the efforts of the Academy in the spheres 
of cooperation and coordination between the foundations and the centers active 
in the fields of Islamic Studies as well as the diligence of the HIT in the 
field of the Islamization of Knowledge and the founding of the humanities 
and the social sciences on Islamic bases. 

A Final Comment: 

This Seminar constitutes a turning point in the trends of contemporary 
Islamic Thought. For the first time, Muslim intellectuals are breaking out 
of the obsolete sophistic framework of utilizing the Sunnah solely for the 
purpose of argumentation , and are heading towards open vistas for presenting 
the illustrious Sunnah and Seerah as legitimate sources of knowledge on which 
to found the Humanities and Social Sciences. By flowing from Divine 
Revelation, contemporary knowledge would acquire the qualitative dimension 
it lacks and begin to focus attention on the correct example set by the noble 
Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (~S). 

Realizing that the technical aspects generally treated by Muslim scholars 
in the past and present, have been exhaustively researched , investigated , and 
written about, the Seminar's participants have asserted the present need for 
the utilization of the Sunnah and Seerah as sources of sound thought, true 
knowledge, moral culture, and civilization. By focu sing on the means of 
accomplishing this noble task, the Seminar has opened the way for Muslim 
intellectuals to enrich this highly important yet long neglected dimension. 

AJISS