Academic literature on the topic 'Mohamed Abed Al Jabri'

Muhammad Abed Al-Jabri (1935-2010) is one of the significant philosophical and scientific figures who left their strong and broad imprint in various fields of contemporary Arab culture. Al-Jabri created his philosophy towards various aspects of Arab history. This included philosophy, theology, politics, ethics, and other aspects. His philosophical works culminated in his famous book on "The Arab Mind," in which he dealt with "The Structure of the Arab Mind" and supplemented it with his famous book - "Critique of the Arab Mind." The article's primary task is limited to addressing the intellectual path of Al-Jabri by tracing what he wrote and the content of these works. Besides, in this article, what Al-Jabri wrote is arranged in chronological order in order to clarify the features of the general and particular course of his philosophical creativity. It is a necessary task for scientific research in his philosophy. It provides the reader and researcher with the complete basic set of his books.

Tulisan ini membahas tentang kisah dalam al-Qur’an pada kitab madkhal ila al-Qur’an al-Karim karya M. Abed al-Jabiri. Kajian ini penting untuk melihat konsep kisah al-Qur’an sebagai salah satu pisau analisis untuk menafsirkan al-Qur’an. Disamping itu, dalam tafsirnya ini M. Abed al-Jabiri memiliki gagasan besar tentang pengembangan ulumul qur’an yang menurutnya selama ini hanya berjalan di tempat, sehingga diperlukan analisis baru untuk menangkap pesan-pesan yang ingin disampaikan al-Qur’an. Di dalam kitab ini langkah awal yang dilakukan al-Jabiri adalah merekonstruksi makna al-Qur’an, al-Jabiri memberikan kritik atas berbagai definisi yang telah dikonstruksi oleh para ulama seperti al-Suyuti, al-Syanqiti, al-Isfahani dan lain sebagainya. Selanjutnya, al-Jabiri mengklasifikasi surat-surat al-Qur’an yang berbicara tentang kisah dalam kategori makiyyah dan madaniyyah. Kategori makiyyah, dibagi dalam dua tahap, sedangkan pada kategori madaniyyah hanya satu tahap. This paper discusses the story in the Al-Qur'an in the madkhal ila Al-Qur'an al-Karim by M. Abed al-Jabiri. This study is important to see the concept of the Al-Qur'an story as one of the analytical tools for interpreting the Al-Quran. Besides that, in this interpretation M. Abed al-Jabiri has a big idea about the development of ulumul quran which according to him has only been running in place, so that a new analysis is needed to capture the messages that the Qur'an wants to convey. In this book, al-Jabiri's initial steps were to reconstruct the meaning of the Koran, al-Jabri provided a critique of the various definitions constructed by classical scholars such as al-Suyuti, al-Syanqiti, al-Isfahani and so on. . Furthermore, al-Jabiri classified the letters of the Al-Qur'an which speak of stories in the category of makiyyah and madaniyyah. The category of makiyyah is divided into two stages, while in the madaniyyah category there is only one stage.

Mohammed Abed al-Jabri (1935-2010) is one of the most original Arab philosophers, thinkers, and social theorist of recent times. Al-Jabri, who held the post of Professor of Philosophy at University of Rabat (Moroc- co), is the author of over 30 books—mostly on Arab Islamic thought—of which the best-known are works like Critique of Arab Reason (1984-2001, 4 vols.), Arab Political Reason (1990), An Introduction to the Noble Qur’an (2006), and Democracy, Human Rights and Law in Islamic Thought (2009). Though al-Jabri is “one of the most original and multifaceted philosophers and intellectuals of our time” (p. xii), commands considerable influence on the Arab world, and is regarded as significant and influential as the Irani- an Abdolkarim Soroush, the Egyptian Hasan Hanafi, and the French Mo- hammed Arkoun, he has remained insufficiently recognized in the West or Euro-American scholarship. The volume under review, first of its kind in English, is thus dedicated to exploring and highlighting varied aspects of al-Jabri’s thought, philosophy, and impact. Edited by Zaid Eyadat (University of Jordan), Francesca M. Corrao, and Mohammed Hashas (both from LUISS, University of Rome), this work analyzes and highlights “how al-Jabri has been a fertile intellectual force in the contemporary Arab world” (15). The volume consists of fourteen chapters divided into two parts: Part I is titled ‘Al-Jabri’s Reconstruction of Arab-Islamic Thought’ (Chapters 2-8), and Part II is titled ‘Politics, Ethics, and the Future of the State in the Arab World’ (Chapters 9-14). These are bookended by a foreword (ix-xiii) by Abdou-Filali Ansary and a biograph- ical appendix. The work acts as an “introductory volume for more future work” to be done in the English language “on this far-sighted Arab-Muslim philosopher” (15). What follows below is a survey of some selected chapters from each part of the book, so as to get an impression of what is contained, discussed, and explored in this volume. In the introduction (Chapter 1), the editors situate and contextual- ize the philosophy and legacy of al-Jabri within the broader perspective of contemporary Arab thought. They argue that the volume is focused on an aspect of Arab philosophy, dealing “with a philosophical project that classifies Arab intellectual history and contributes to contemporary Arab political philosophy” (8). Massimo Companini (Chapter 2) explores the work of al-Jabri and Hasan Hanafi vis-à-vis Ibn Khaldun and Ibn Rushd, and tries to find a “Path to Modernity” (41). His main argument is that al-Jabri contends for the “Averroistic” interpretation of the “future of Arab-Islamic culture”, which is both “rationalistic and democratic” (25) and thus fits aptly within the present political trend. Abdul Karim Barghout et al. (Chapter 3) focus on the Syrian thinker George Tarabishi’s (d. 2016) Critique of the Critique of Arab Reason (1996), by expounding their disagreements on Arab history. The differences between al-Jabri and Tabarishi remain over the theoretical frameworks or methodological grounds, not on historical substance. These and other chapters of this part revolve mostly around al-Jabri’s Critique. However, Mariangela Laviano (Chapter 6) provides a “preliminary overview of al-Jabri’s introductory work on the Qur’an” (2006), in which al- Jabri “gives a systematic rereading of the Qur’an and its phenomenon” and provides a “chronological order of decent of revelation (tartīb al-nuzūl), and not the common order/ sequence, i.e., tartīb al-tilāwa/ tartīb al-muṣḥaf” (114). For Laviano, al-Jabri considers the Qur’an a Text which needs to be “studied in its context, but at the same time taking into consideration its sa- credness” (114-115); such a “rational approach helps the reader to look at some Qura’nic verses,…, in the light of historical context” and thus gives “more attention to human rights and rebuilding the Arab world” (120). Part II of this volume is concentrated on exploring “the question of politics and ethics in a-Jabri’s examination of the history of ideas of the Arab-Islamic world.” It highlights his significance and relevance in the pre and post-Arab Spring eras in MENA as well as considers his thought’s pos- sible influence on the “future of the Arab state” (17). Mohsine El Ahmadi (Chapter 9) reflects on the aspects of al-Jabri’s political thought by focusing on the question of state and religion through an exposition of his Critique of Arab Political Reason (1984) and Religion, State, and Implementation of Shari‘a (1996). It clearly reveals al-Jabri’s “intellectual position on Islam and political power” (173), which is mainly “decisive in the reconstruction of modern thought based on the reason and democracy” (172). Ahmadi also focuses on “specific critique of Islamic historicity” (176), and concludes that “Historicity, epistemology, and secularism are dialectical foundations of al-Jabri’s views on Arab-Islamic reform” and thus represent a “major de- velopment in the transformation of Arab-Islamic political thought” (180). Zaid Eyadat and Hanadi Riyad (Chapter 12) focus on al-Jabri’s “effort and his contribution to Arab intellectual thought” by analyzing, critically, his Arab Ethical Reason (2006)—a work yet-untranslated and so unavail- able to an English audience. This chapter aims to introduce it to the West- ern reader while suggesting a “way forward from al-Jabri’s work towards a more creative and peaceful Arab Reason”. The last chapter, “The Arab Possible State: From al-Tahtawi to al- Jabri,” by Mohammed Hashas (Chapter 14), reinvigorates the possibility of a “modern Arab state” based on “Arab-Islamic tradition”, despite various “obstacles encountering its realization”, as manifested, most recently, in the Arab Spring (272). Hashas deliberates on “three Arab political discourse levels”, viz. ‘Arab Renaissance avant-gardists’, ‘Arab Nationhood Discourse’, and ‘State Discourse Around Arab Spring’. Later, he elaborates the state concept in al-Jabri’s thought, concluding that al-Jabri calls for a “democrat- ic modern state”, neither secular nor liberal, which will be based on the three principles of “human rights, the rule of law and rationality” (290). Written by specialists at various stages of their careers, and keeping in view the richness and diversity of topics, Islam, State and Modernity is a significant contribution to exploring the various aspects of al-Jabri’s thought, philosophy, and legacy for a wider readership, on topics ranging from Arab–Islamic thought to the state, politics, ethics, education, and the Qur’an phenomenon. It will prove helpful to students and scholars in a wide range of disciplines, ranging from Middle East Studies to Philosophy. Tauseef Ahmad ParrayAssistant Professor, Islamic Studies, Higher Education DepartmentJammu & Kashmir, India

Mohammed Abed al-Jabri (1935-2010) is one of the most original Arab philosophers, thinkers, and social theorist of recent times. Al-Jabri, who held the post of Professor of Philosophy at University of Rabat (Moroc- co), is the author of over 30 books—mostly on Arab Islamic thought—of which the best-known are works like Critique of Arab Reason (1984-2001, 4 vols.), Arab Political Reason (1990), An Introduction to the Noble Qur’an (2006), and Democracy, Human Rights and Law in Islamic Thought (2009). Though al-Jabri is “one of the most original and multifaceted philosophers and intellectuals of our time” (p. xii), commands considerable influence on the Arab world, and is regarded as significant and influential as the Irani- an Abdolkarim Soroush, the Egyptian Hasan Hanafi, and the French Mo- hammed Arkoun, he has remained insufficiently recognized in the West or Euro-American scholarship. The volume under review, first of its kind in English, is thus dedicated to exploring and highlighting varied aspects of al-Jabri’s thought, philosophy, and impact. Edited by Zaid Eyadat (University of Jordan), Francesca M. Corrao, and Mohammed Hashas (both from LUISS, University of Rome), this work analyzes and highlights “how al-Jabri has been a fertile intellectual force in the contemporary Arab world” (15). The volume consists of fourteen chapters divided into two parts: Part I is titled ‘Al-Jabri’s Reconstruction of Arab-Islamic Thought’ (Chapters 2-8), and Part II is titled ‘Politics, Ethics, and the Future of the State in the Arab World’ (Chapters 9-14). These are bookended by a foreword (ix-xiii) by Abdou-Filali Ansary and a biograph- ical appendix. The work acts as an “introductory volume for more future work” to be done in the English language “on this far-sighted Arab-Muslim philosopher” (15). What follows below is a survey of some selected chapters from each part of the book, so as to get an impression of what is contained, discussed, and explored in this volume. In the introduction (Chapter 1), the editors situate and contextual- ize the philosophy and legacy of al-Jabri within the broader perspective of contemporary Arab thought. They argue that the volume is focused on an aspect of Arab philosophy, dealing “with a philosophical project that classifies Arab intellectual history and contributes to contemporary Arab political philosophy” (8). Massimo Companini (Chapter 2) explores the work of al-Jabri and Hasan Hanafi vis-à-vis Ibn Khaldun and Ibn Rushd, and tries to find a “Path to Modernity” (41). His main argument is that al-Jabri contends for the “Averroistic” interpretation of the “future of Arab-Islamic culture”, which is both “rationalistic and democratic” (25) and thus fits aptly within the present political trend. Abdul Karim Barghout et al. (Chapter 3) focus on the Syrian thinker George Tarabishi’s (d. 2016) Critique of the Critique of Arab Reason (1996), by expounding their disagreements on Arab history. The differences between al-Jabri and Tabarishi remain over the theoretical frameworks or methodological grounds, not on historical substance. These and other chapters of this part revolve mostly around al-Jabri’s Critique. However, Mariangela Laviano (Chapter 6) provides a “preliminary overview of al-Jabri’s introductory work on the Qur’an” (2006), in which al- Jabri “gives a systematic rereading of the Qur’an and its phenomenon” and provides a “chronological order of decent of revelation (tartīb al-nuzūl), and not the common order/ sequence, i.e., tartīb al-tilāwa/ tartīb al-muṣḥaf” (114). For Laviano, al-Jabri considers the Qur’an a Text which needs to be “studied in its context, but at the same time taking into consideration its sa- credness” (114-115); such a “rational approach helps the reader to look at some Qura’nic verses,…, in the light of historical context” and thus gives “more attention to human rights and rebuilding the Arab world” (120). Part II of this volume is concentrated on exploring “the question of politics and ethics in a-Jabri’s examination of the history of ideas of the Arab-Islamic world.” It highlights his significance and relevance in the pre and post-Arab Spring eras in MENA as well as considers his thought’s pos- sible influence on the “future of the Arab state” (17). Mohsine El Ahmadi (Chapter 9) reflects on the aspects of al-Jabri’s political thought by focusing on the question of state and religion through an exposition of his Critique of Arab Political Reason (1984) and Religion, State, and Implementation of Shari‘a (1996). It clearly reveals al-Jabri’s “intellectual position on Islam and political power” (173), which is mainly “decisive in the reconstruction of modern thought based on the reason and democracy” (172). Ahmadi also focuses on “specific critique of Islamic historicity” (176), and concludes that “Historicity, epistemology, and secularism are dialectical foundations of al-Jabri’s views on Arab-Islamic reform” and thus represent a “major de- velopment in the transformation of Arab-Islamic political thought” (180). Zaid Eyadat and Hanadi Riyad (Chapter 12) focus on al-Jabri’s “effort and his contribution to Arab intellectual thought” by analyzing, critically, his Arab Ethical Reason (2006)—a work yet-untranslated and so unavail- able to an English audience. This chapter aims to introduce it to the West- ern reader while suggesting a “way forward from al-Jabri’s work towards a more creative and peaceful Arab Reason”. The last chapter, “The Arab Possible State: From al-Tahtawi to al- Jabri,” by Mohammed Hashas (Chapter 14), reinvigorates the possibility of a “modern Arab state” based on “Arab-Islamic tradition”, despite various “obstacles encountering its realization”, as manifested, most recently, in the Arab Spring (272). Hashas deliberates on “three Arab political discourse levels”, viz. ‘Arab Renaissance avant-gardists’, ‘Arab Nationhood Discourse’, and ‘State Discourse Around Arab Spring’. Later, he elaborates the state concept in al-Jabri’s thought, concluding that al-Jabri calls for a “democrat- ic modern state”, neither secular nor liberal, which will be based on the three principles of “human rights, the rule of law and rationality” (290). Written by specialists at various stages of their careers, and keeping in view the richness and diversity of topics, Islam, State and Modernity is a significant contribution to exploring the various aspects of al-Jabri’s thought, philosophy, and legacy for a wider readership, on topics ranging from Arab–Islamic thought to the state, politics, ethics, education, and the Qur’an phenomenon. It will prove helpful to students and scholars in a wide range of disciplines, ranging from Middle East Studies to Philosophy. Tauseef Ahmad ParrayAssistant Professor, Islamic Studies, Higher Education DepartmentJammu & Kashmir, India

تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى هدفين: الأول نقض ما تشير إليه بعض الدراسات عن ضحالة الدرسات الأخلاقية في المجال العربي بالمقارنة مع مثيلاتها في الفكر الغربي؛ إذ نجد بحوثاً مقدرة في المشرق العربي تتضمن جهود عبد الله دراز، وعبد الرحمن بدوي، وأحمد أمين، وماجد فخري، وغيرهم، وبحوثاً مقدرة كذلك في المغرب العربي تتضمن جهود مالك بن نبي، ومحمد أركون، ومحمد عابد الجابري، ومحمد عزيز الحبابي، وطه عبد الرحمن، وأبي يعرب المرزوقي، وغيرهم. والهدف الثاني: التأكيد على أنّ أزمة الإنسانية المعاصرة هي أزمة أخلاقية أساساً، وأنَّ العلاج ينبغي أنْ يكون من جنس الأزمة؛ أي حلاً أخلاقياً، ولعلَّ هذا ما يُفسِّر الاهتمام المتعاظم بالشأن الأخلاقي في كلا الفكرين؛ الغربي والعربي، ومثلما يُقدِّم الأول إسهامه الخاص به، يُقدِّم الثاني إسهامه انطلاقاً من تجاربه ونصوصه التراثية. The purpose of this study is twofold, firstly to refute the idea of what some studies refer to as a scarcity of moral studies in Arab thought compared to those in Western thought. We find significant research work in the Arab East that include efforts of Abdullah Daraz, Abdul Rahman Badawi, Ahmad Amin, Majid Fakhri, , As well as other research work in the Arab West including the efforts of Malik bin Nabi, Mohammed Arkoun, Mohamed Abed Al-Jabri, Mohamed Aziz Al-Hababi, Taha Abdul Rahman, Abu Yarub Al-Marzouki and others. Secondly to illustrate the nature of the crisis of contemporary humanity, which is essentially a moral crisis, and that the treatment should be of the sage nature; i.e., to emphasize the need for ethical solution. This may explain the growing interest in moral issues in Western thought which provides its own contribution, and Arab thought, which provides its contribution based on its experience and heritage texts.

The paper outlines the interpretation of Sufism formulated by Mohamed Abed Al-Jabri, a contemporary Moroccan philosopher and critic of the Arabic tradition. According to him, Sufism, unknown to Arabic culture until the advent of Islam, originated through a historical conspiracy whereby the Persians attempted to weaken their new Arabic colonisers. Sufism is viewed by him as an evasion and a detachment from life and its problems. It leads its adepts, through the mystical journey, to renounce material life. It plunges its adepts into a way of life where the annihilation of the self in God represents the central value. This annihilation of the self in deity is possible only through the blind obedience of the Seeker (Mureed) to his Master (Sheikh). Therefore, Sufism can only thrive by using tyrannical means. It demands that its adepts, through following a predestined path chosen by God, lose their own volition and freedom in favour of their Master. Breaking the law at the end of the Seeker’s mystical journey reflects, paradoxically, a spiritual accomplishment. Additionally, Sufi orders maintain a congenial relationship with political tyranny. Consequently, I argue, Sufism leads to a loss of human responsibility for oneself and other beings. I also claim that in a post-tyrannical Arabic society, where responsibility for oneself and one’s community should be the centralvalue, Sufi ethics are unable to play a role in the promotion of modern values. For this reason, it should be prevented from shaping the political and social choices of a modern society and constrained to the mystical realm.

The paper outlines the interpretation of Sufism formulated by Mohamed Abed Al-Jabri, a contemporary Moroccan philosopher and critic of the Arabic tradition. According to him, Sufism, unknown to Arabic culture until the advent of Islam, originated through a historical conspiracy whereby the Persians attempted to weaken their new Arabic colonisers. Sufism is viewed by him as an evasion and a detachment from life and its problems. It leads its adepts, through the mystical journey, to renounce material life. It plunges its adepts into a way of life where the annihilation of the self in God represents the central value. This annihilation of the self in deity is possible only through the blind obedience of the Seeker (Mureed) to his Master (Sheikh). Therefore, Sufism can only thrive by using tyrannical means. It demands that its adepts, through following a predestined path chosen by God, lose their own volition and freedom in favour of their Master. Breaking the law at the end of the Seeker’s mystical journey reflects, paradoxically, a spiritual accomplishment. Additionally, Sufi orders maintain a congenial relationship with political tyranny. Consequently, I argue, Sufism leads to a loss of human responsibility for oneself and other beings. I also claim that in a post-tyrannical Arabic society, where responsibility for oneself and one’s community should be the centralvalue, Sufi ethics are unable to play a role in the promotion of modern values. For this reason, it should be prevented from shaping the political and social choices of a modern society and constrained to the mystical realm.

What kind of society does Islamic architecture reflect? What are the basic units and forms of Islamic society associated with Islamic architecture, and what kinds of relationships existed among its individuals? Is Islamic society a ‘uniform society’ or a ‘multi-layered society’? These fundamental questions are at the centre of this study. This paper explores the basic intellectual, social and environmental aspects that have shaped Islamic architecture. It explores these aspects as reflected in the building forms of Muslim societies. Functionalism and interactionism are two major schools of modern sociology. As a social phenomenon, Islamic architecture is examined in the light of these two schools. The urban fabric of the traditional Islamic city as an example of functionalism in architecture is examined with reference to the ruined city of Sāmarrāʾ, in Iraq; and examples of Ottoman architecture are considered as models of interactionism in city planning and architecture. The works of three major figures in contemporary Arab thought, Muḥammad Abed Al-Jabri and ʿAbdullah Al-ʿArawī from Morocco, and Mohammad Al-Anṣārī from Bahrain, are considered in this paper. Their thoughts and views are used as vehicles to test some innate features of Islamic architecture. The influence of language and the desert, two exceptionally important factors that have shaped the culture of Muslim societies and its manifestation in architecture, is also explored. The findings of this paper, although still at a preliminary stage, reiterate the major concepts of the medieval Arab scholar Ibn Khaldūn, in his Muqaddimah, in an architectural context.

Le sujet de cette thèse est la pensée arabo-musulmane actuelle, par ses déterminants et ses expressions. C'est une analyse d'un discours théologique à travers la méthodologie d'un philosophe. Certainement, la question de la modernité est centrale dans les débats intellectuels arabo-musulmans. Pourtant le discours islamique actuel, imprégné par les fondements du fiqh (Science du droit islamique) essaie de comprendre le Texte sacré au sein de son champ paradigmatique de l'époque du Prophète (VIIe siècle). C'est justement une des causes expliquant le poids du Turâth (Tradition) dans le discours islamique actuel. Pour analyser ce courant, la critique est centrée sur un théologien-prédicateur célèbre, Yousouf Al Qaradawi . Le choix de ce Faqih (juriste-théologien) est justifié par l'importance de son apport substantiel et prolifique. Cette thèse s'inscrit aussi dans le souci de synthèse des critiques, qu'on considère les plus solides, de la pensée arabo-musulmane actuelle, notamment celles du philosophe Mohamed Abed Al Jabri , de l'historien Abdallah Laroui et du penseur George Tarabishi . Leur production intellectuelle nous permet d'analyser le discours d'Al Qaradawi , à travers une démarche à triple étapes : la démarche structuraliste, l'analyse historique et l'approche idéologique. Ceci afin d'analyser les concepts de base et la cohérence de la pensée d'Al Qaradawi , ainsi que le contexte sociohistorique qui les a permis. Ce qui explique une telle démarche c'est la nature même de cette pensée, dont le discours reste théologique de prédication, avec une forte charge politico-idéologique. Au terme de l'analyse, il apparait que les mécanismes internes du discours islamique actuel et surtout son projet politico-idéologique, ne permettent pas l'acceptation d'une rupture quelconque avec le Turâth et ne présente guère de signes de conciliation avec son époque moderne. Ses rapports avec la modernité souffrnt de la réduction qu'il fait lui-même circonscrire dans la sphère de l'opposition à un Occident perçu comme conquérant, ennemi et rival.