The American Journal of Islamic Social Science Vol. 5 ,  No. 1, 1988 V 

Editorial 

Five years of the American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences (AJISS) 
seem trivial, but there has been a good reason to seize upon this occasion 
as a brief respite from the here-and-now to look back at our objectives and 
accomplishments. It is gratifying that A J I S S  is now a lading journal of Islamic 
research published in United States, and a major international journal. It 
has published medium and longer length articles by scholars within and outside 
the United States, representing original, significant, and major Islamic 
conceptual and interpretative advances within all subfields of the social 
sciences. The articles have reflected the breadth, depth, and scale of modem 
Islamic scholarship, regardless of their perspectives and orientations. 

Among of the objectives of MISS, and its sponsors, namely the 
International Institute of Islamic Thought @IT) and the Association of Muslim 
Social Scientists (AMSS), has been the effort to restore confidence among 
the Muslim scholars and revive Islamic scholarship to its former high standards. 
In addition there has been a modest effort to bring the u m m h  out of its 
present decadent situation and historic Nostalgic bonds. Ordinarily, such a 
situation develops when a nation starts living in memories and monuments, 
memorizes history and narrates it while ignoring or relegating the realities 
of the time. The other perspective of history, and perhaps more desirable, 
is when the people learn from history, interpret history and transform the 
present knowledge according to their history, values, and ethics. During the 
past five years, MISS has persistently attempted to lead the way in fashioning 
a proper historical perspective by reverting to the basics, and by Islamizing 
the current knowledge. 

This issue begins with selections from the Holy Qur'iin and commentary 
by 'AbdulHamid A. AbiiSulaymiin. Three major sections follow. Section one 
includes two papers on the need and philosophy of Islamization of knowledge. 
In the first paper, Fazlur Rahman, presents his perspective on the Islamization 
of Knowledge and suggests modification of the present approach. The second 
paper by Ilyas By-Yunus gives a brief biography of Isma'il al Fiiriiqi, and 
traces the development of his ideas of Islamization as one of the effective 
means for Muslim resurgence. 

The second section of this issue has three papers on matters concerning 
Islamic Thought. In the first, Louay S l f i  discusses war and peace in Islam, 
challenging the classical doctrines as issue-specific and incomprehensive. 
Arguing his case with credible support from other sources, Siifi offers an 
alternative approach based on Islamic principles. The other paper by Abdulaziz 
Sachedena elaborates the importance of the Shariizh by upholding the Tawbid 
principles in assimilating diverse groups with varied interests into one U . .  



vi The American Journal of Islamic Social Science Vol. 5, No. 1, 1988 

The third paper included of this section by Abdullah Ibrahim describes the 
ethnic identity of Ja'aliyyin people in Sudan. 

The third section on Islamization of Disciplines has two papers. In one, 
M. Akram Khan provides a review of the fundamental terms and definitions 
of exchange markets and systems of operation, as viewed from an Islamic 
point of view. In the other, Mtuafhr Shaikh discusses ethical issues in business 
and decision-making in the Western and Islamic environments. He then, 
proposes an overall Islamic plan for decision-making at individual or group 
levels. 

The Research Note by Salim Rashid provides a Efiir of Siiruh Quruysh, 
citing the Islamic approach in relation to capitalist and socialist systems in 
bringing civilization to the mankind. The concluding research note by Syed 
Rashid is a summary of events during Colonial India, leading to the erosion 
of Muslim institutions and the decadence of Islamic laws in India. Toward 
the end of this issue are three enlightening book reviews, including one by 
Fazlur Rahman. 

Note: 
As this editorial was being written, I was shocked and greatly saddened 

by the news of the sudden and untimely death of Fazlur Rahman on Dhu 
ul &jjuh 12, 1408 AH / July 26, 1988. I have known him as one of the most 
eminent Muslim scholars in the United States and had the honor of first meeting 
him in the late 1960s when he was then director of the Islamic Research 
Institute in Pakistan. 

As a scholar of international repute, Fazlur Rahman's writings, no doubt, 
have greatly widened our awareness of the history and culture of the Muslim 
u m h  and have expanded the understanding of many of its major unresolved 
issues. Although controversial on some issues, his work and contributions, 
which reflect his intellectual arguments and eloquently expressed convictions, 
have left a definite imprint on the field of Islamic Studies in the West. 

On his visit to the headquarters of the Association of Muslim Social 
Scientists and the International Institute of Islamic Thought only a few months 
before his death, he gave a lecture on the issue of Islamization of Knowledge 
which was another mark of his intellectual contribution, leaving a vivid memory 
for all the staff of the AMSS and IIIT. May Allah (SWT) shower His blessings 
upon him, rest his soul and grant strength to his family and friends to bear 
his loss. 

His life history in the form of an euology and the text of his lecture 
delivered at the AMSS and IIIT headquarters on Islamization of Knowledge 
appears elsewhere in this issue. 

Mushtaqur Ruhman 
Editor-in-Chief