Yerusalem in Al Qur’an,Ibn Khaldun,Iqbal,and Islamic Though Renewal : The Relevance of UIN
Jerusalem in the Qur’an, Ibn Khaldun, Iqbal, and Islamic Thought Renewal: The Relevance of UIN
By: Drs. Rohiman, Chairman of DPC ASWIN Cirebon
The thoughts of two great figures in Islamic history, Ibn Khaldun and Muhammad Iqbal, have had a significant influence on the Islamic world, including Indonesia. However, criticisms of their ideas, such as those by Sheikh Imran Hosein in his book Jerusalem in the Qur’an, open new discussions about the importance of understanding the eschatological dimensions of Islam in historical processes.
This article explores how the ideas of Ibn Khaldun and Iqbal entered Indonesia, influenced the Islamic renewal movement, and how Sheikh Imran Hosein’s critiques are relevant to their concepts.
Ibn Khaldun and His Critique of the Hadith of Imam Mahdi
Through his phenomenal work, Muqaddimah, Ibn Khaldun emphasized a rational and historical approach to understanding civilization. However, he controversially rejected the validity of many hadiths about Imam Mahdi, citing weak chains of transmission (sanad). This rejection has drawn sharp criticism from Sheikh Imran Hosein, who argues that Ibn Khaldun’s approach overlooks the deeper spiritual and historical dimensions of Imam Mahdi’s role in world transformation.
Iqbal and the Idea of Renewing Islamic Thought
In his book Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam, Muhammad Iqbal emphasizes the need to reinterpret Islamic teachings to address the challenges of modernity. While not explicitly rejecting the return of Prophet Isa (AS), Iqbal seems to question the relevance of this belief in the context of Islamic renewal. Sheikh Imran criticizes Iqbal by highlighting the significance of understanding the return of Prophet Isa within the framework of Islamic eschatology, which is crucial in Islamic teachings about the end times.
The Introduction of Ibn Khaldun and Iqbal’s Thoughts to Indonesia
The ideas of Ibn Khaldun and Iqbal were introduced to Indonesia through three main channels:
1. The Islamic Renewal Movement
Muhammadiyah: Founded by KH Ahmad Dahlan in 1912, Muhammadiyah adopted renewal ideas from Muhammad Abduh and Rashid Rida, who were inspired by Ibn Khaldun and Iqbal.
Persatuan Islam (Persis): This movement continued the tradition of Islamic rationalism, rejecting superstition and innovations (bid’ah), as pioneered by Ibn Khaldun and Iqbal.
2. Academic Pathways
Harun Nasution: A prominent figure in Islamic thought renewal in Indonesia, he introduced Ibn Khaldun’s rationalism and Iqbal’s modernism into the IAIN curriculum.
Azyumardi Azra: His dissertation examined the network of Southeast Asian scholars who absorbed Islamic renewal ideas from the Middle East and integrated them into local traditions.
3. Campus Activist Networks
Nurcholish Madjid (Cak Nur): Through his concept “Islam Yes, Islamic Parties No,” Cak Nur emphasized the need for contextual thought aligned with modernity, consistent with Iqbal’s ideas on reconstructing Islamic thought.
Opening New Perspectives
Sheikh Imran Hosein’s critique of Ibn Khaldun and Iqbal offers a textual-contextual approach that emphasizes the spiritual and historical dimensions of prophetic eschatological texts. This underscores that understanding the roles of Imam Mahdi and Prophet Isa (AS) is not only theological but also pivotal in shaping the transformation of the Islamic world amidst global challenges.
Conclusion
The book Jerusalem in the Qur’an has the potential to enrich Islamic insights in Indonesia by offering a fresh eschatological perspective. By gaining a deeper understanding of history, Muslims can formulate new strategies to face contemporary challenges while holistically utilizing the intellectual heritage of Islam.
Reflection: The Relevance of UIN
The transformation of Islamic Higher Education Institutions (PTKIN) into State Islamic Universities (UIN) reflects a serious effort to reintegrate Islamic scholarship with contemporary sciences.
Through an integration-interconnection approach, UIN seeks to eliminate the dichotomy between religious and secular sciences, combining Islam’s rich intellectual traditions with modern scientific developments.
The strategic roles of UIN include:
1. A Hub for Modern Islamic Discourse: Offering Islamic solutions to contemporary issues.
2. Mediator Between Tradition and Modernity: Bridging dialogues between Islamic traditions and modern scientific demands.
3. Drivers of Social Transformation: Empowering society with solutions rooted in Islamic values.
With a renewed spirit of ijtihad, UIN can produce progressive ideas to address global challenges.