The Foundation of Knowledge: A Comparative Study in Islamic and Western Methods of Inquiry

A video summary of this book can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdNQxv_ODdc&t=26s This book discusses the why, what and how of Rahmatan lil-Alamin as the higher objective of humanity. It presents a practical understanding of the purpose of creation and humanity to improve the individual and collective well-being of Muslims and society. The intention is to re-introduce and re-emphasize the correct Islamic perspective of humanity. The first five chapters revisits the common understanding among Muslims as to why mankind is created. We show that the prevalent view that we are created to worship Allah (SWT) is incomplete. There is a higher and more noble purpose; Rahmatan lil-Alamin (mercy to the worlds). We next describe the what of Rahmatan lil-Alamin. The best role model of Rahmatan lil-Alamin is undoubtedly Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the last and final prophet and messenger, whom Allah (SWT) sent with a very clear purpose, “And We have not sent you but as a mercy to the worlds.” [21:107]. We present many examples from the history of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and a collection of his (SAW) sayings and advice on being the best. The final chapters of the book deal with the how of Rahmatan lil-Alamin. We describe in detail how the Muslim can apply Rahmatan lil-Alamin daily in his or her life. We propose a practical model of Rahmatan lil-Alamin that we induced from the Quran. We also addressed how to apply Rahmatan lil-Alamin to a broader society by proposing a decision-making tool that can guide us as persons and as communities to make decisions that conform to the foundations and priorities of Rahmatan lil-Alamin. We present case studies from the history of the Companions using this decision-making model. This book seeks to establish a connection between Islam and civilization within a civilizational and ethical framework. We believe that a more proper and complete understanding of the Islamic view about humanity may present to us new perspectives of Islam and how Muslims should engage with fellow Muslims and people of other faiths. In fact, the implication of this new reinterpretation framework goes even further in that: any human civilization built on this framework is the most prosperous for the whole and also for the individuals in it.