Principles of Islamic Sociology

What is Islam? What is its essence, and what are its core ideas? Prior to 9/11, most Westerners had only a vague awareness that such a religion even existed. Many hardly knew anything about it, and those who expressed much interest were certainly in the minority. All of this changed after 9/11 and the subsequent invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. Almost overnight, Islam appeared on the Western radar. There was a sudden and heightened awareness of Islam as a reality in the world – a reality that could no longer be ignored. Suddenly there were followers of Islam – called Muslims – everywhere. Some of them were even our next door neighbors. Who were these people, these Muslims, and what did they believe? In the wake of 9/11 and what has been witnessed of so-called typical Muslim behavior both in Iraq and in Afghanistan, it has been easy for Westerners to develop misconceptions about Islam. Among these misconceptions are that Islam promotes ignorance, that it teaches neither the principle of human equality nor the dignity of human beings, that it condones irrationally murderous behavior, and of course that it grants Muslim men the right to mistreat their women. These misconceptions have become viral in Western society, and are responsible for the recent spread of Islamophobia. Obviously we cannot live at peace with our neighbors, both next door and overseas, so long as we maintain certain prejudices about them that are not based in fact. Principles of Islamic Sociology by Dr. Farid Younos, is a book that seeks to address such misconceptions. Himself a prominent Muslim sociologist, Dr. Younos takes us on a fascinating journey, as he explains what Islam is really about. In this particular book, he takes the angle of sociology in order to furnish his explanations. In contrast to the Western approach to sociology, says Dr. Younos, the Islamic approach to sociology is religious through and through. Sociology, for Muslims, is the study of social behavior and social dynamics within the framework of the Islamic faith. This book makes the argument that the essence of Islam – its basic, core ideas that it aspires to actualize – is far from the Western misconceptions of Islam, and also far from some modern distortions of Islam that inspire such misconceptions. Quoting from the Qur’an, from the Hadith – that is, the body of traditional sayings attributed to Mohammad – and from various Muslim jurists and scholars, Dr. Younos builds his case that authentic Islam is in fact a very civilized religion. The underlying theme of Islamic sociology is oneness and unity. From the one God of Islam comes a unitary, divinely ordained order – not just in the natural world, but also in the sphere of human personal and social life. It is by following God’s ordained laws that human beings, individually and socially, attain the best life possible. Thus Islam – authentic Islam – actually teaches the importance of education, human equality, human dignity, the resolution of problems through reason and by the pen rather than by the sword, and it does not discriminate between men and women. The forces of globalization are making this world an increasingly smaller place. It is therefore also becoming increasingly important that we understand our neighbors – whether we are Westerners or Muslims. It is perhaps now more important than ever that the West understands what Islam is about, what are its goals and its visions, and the ultimate aspirations of those who are Muslims. Principles of Islamic Sociology is an excellent preliminary step in that direction. This book is a must for anyone who wishes to begin developing a true and fundamental understanding of Islamic society and its social sytem.