Methodology in

Sciences

Buraidah Farhana bt Burukhan Ali (1222726)

Nursyairah bt Kosing (1319396)

Ramiza bt Mohamed Rafi (1228264)

Shafidatul Ismi bt Ismail (1226544)

Definition of Methodology

Method:

a particular procedure for accomplishing or

approaching something, especially a systematic or

established one.

implies an orderly logical arrangement.

Methodology:

The theoretical analysis of the methods appropriate to

a field study or to the body of methods and principles

particular to a branch of knowledge.

A body of practices, procedures, and rules used by

those who work in a discipline or engage in an inquiry

Kinds of Methodologies

Methodology in revealed knowledge (Islamic

Methodology)

Methodology in human knowledge (pure and social

sciences)

Integrative methodology of revealed and human

knowledge

Islamic Methodology

To integrate knowledge by combining the revelation

and reasons in order to face the obstacles and

challenges of the modern world and the society.

Importance of Islamic Research

Methodology- Yousif (2004)

To refute directly or indirectly wrong philosophical ideas

that have the negative effect on the faith of Muslims

To affirm the truth of Islam and defend Islamic beliefs

To seek the reality, recognize Allah

To promote good humanity

Methodologies Used by

The Early Muslim Scholars

Collection of data

Verifications

Reliable narrators

Chain of transformations

Consultation and consensus

Ijtihad

Istihsan (jursitic preference)

Masalih mursalah/ maslahah (public interest)

‘Urf (a particular custom)

Evaluation of Sanad

First narrators must be eyewitness to the events

Chain must not be missing or broken

Narrators must be reliable of their intellectual & moral

credentials

Muslim

Excellent religious integrity

Posses sound muru’ah

Ability to memorize

Well-known

knowledgeable

Evaluation of Matan

Wording is not of poor standards

Does not contain anything contradictory to

Common sense, knowledge & findings

General principles of Shari’ah, Qur’an &

Sunnah

Actual facts proven by human senses

Human reason

Sunnatullah

Historical facts & realities

Ijma’

To determine, To agree about something

“Universal consensus of the scholars of the Muslim community”

Masalih Mursalah/Maslahah

Interest, advantage, benefit

benefit and repulsion of the harm to the public based

on the benefit or interest that will be enjoyed by the

public

to suit the varying conditions of life, culture, locations

which are constantly changing

Public interest that are not stated in the Qur’an &

Sunnah

No precise evidence about whether to reject or

accept a maslahah but indirectly it is intended to be

preserved by Islam

The compilation of Qur’an

Istihsan

Deem something preferable

Exercising personal opinion to avoid unfairness as a

result of practicing the existing law

Cutting the hands of thieves in cases famine

Ijtihad

Method of making legal decisions by independent

interpretations of Qur’an & Sunnah

Mujtahid

Demands a certain rank of knowledge

restricted to derivation of the legal rulings- meaning is

definite & fixed on the legal system (fiqh)

Jabir, 1993

“teachings, ideas and judgments should not be

taken at face value, nor adhered to blindly, but

ought to be scrutinized and understood within a

proper perspective.”

“began to develop as a science in its own right,

offering a new methodology based on the

observation of the objective of the objective

world.”

Importance

Systematic thinking

Transformation of human intellect

Remove any obstacle or limitation which would affect

its development

‘Urf

Recurring practices that are accepted by people

Principles approved by custom in determining the rules

regarding 'halal' & 'haram‘

Represent a recurrent & common practice

Practiced at the time

Must not violate the text of the Qur'an & Sunnah

Must not contradict with a clearly stipulated

agreement

The Traditional Islamic

Approach

In early Islamic period- to achieve the conclusion

which corresponded with reality.

- Example: the compilation and collection of Qur’an.

Strict and need lots of attention

– Collecting ‘hadith’ by Muslim scholars must be

precise and on the authority of Prophet.

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Benefits During The Early

Islamic Period

1) Applied reasoning.

2) Reliable.

3) Development of usul al-fiqh – Muslim scholars manage

to get the conclusions.

4) Flowering of Islamic intellectual civilization – second

until fourth centuries after hijrah.

5) Classical Greek and Persian works were translated and

analyzed from tawhidic perspective.

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6) Muslim scholarship and research spread to

astronomy, math and medicines.

7) Produced greatest scholars and researches in Islamic

history

- Abu Hamid Al- Ghazali

- Abu Nasr Al- Farabi

- Abu Ali Ibn Sina

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Merits of Traditional Islamic

Approach

o The sincerity, piety, enthusiasm, attachment,

dedication, devotion and taqwa of the early

Muslim researchers

o Contradicts to nowadays’ researchers;

economic & professional purpose

o NOT motivated by the monetary gains

o Looks for rewards in the Hereafter

o An act of ibadah- pursued with much vigor &

enthusiasm

o Reflect the God- consciousness in their writings20

o Holistic nature- no distinction between revealed knowledge

and empirically derived knowledge

o Knowledge perceived as a comprehensive whole

o Fully realization on khalifah responsibilities

o Ensure the works accuracy

o Early educational institutions ( madrasahs, kulliyahs, jami’ahs)

were autonomous and independent

o From any political, financial & other institutions

o Due to the waqf systems

o Enabled scholars to have tremendous liberty 21

o Traditional researches take great care and pains to

remain faithful to the original interpretation of Islamic

texts

o Many hesitated to ijtihad

o Fear of betrayal towards Prophet

o Early scholars had greater familiarity with classical

Arabic language than contemporary scholars

o Facilitated their understanding

o Prevention of the wrong interpretation 22

Shortcomings

o Limits to the use of rationalization.

o Time consuming due to the – limited means ofcommunication and transportation.

o Influenced by the ideologies, lifestyles andcultures of foreign lands.

o Particular geographical region- affected.

o The development of Islamic thought.

o Research techniques

o Methodology utilized

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o Inability to apply what they learned in the madrasah to the

current issues and new problems.

o Madrasah- ineffective to produce scholars – capable of

dealing with society’s problems in an Islamic manner.

o Limit the scholars in undertaking research.

o Limited access to original Islamic sources.

o Financial disability.

o Shortage of adequate facilities.

o Lack of human resources.

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Tawhidic Criteria for Islamic

Methodology

Anything that does not correspond with reality

must be rejected

Ultimate contradictions must be denied

Muslims must be open to new and/or contrary

evidence

New approaches to accommodate new

situations

Overcoming the Deficiencies

of Traditional Islamic Approach

The rise in secularism

Muslim researchers should never underestimate the value of

their own Islamic legacy (AQ & S)

Must constantly seek for guidance & wisdom from the Divine

Must recognize that rev. knowledge is based on eternal Truth

The need for greater integration b/w rev. knowledge & empirical-

derived knowledge

No superstitious beliefs

Check the method used

Reject the results even if they do no contradict the rev.

knowledge

Technology illiteracy

Vital to become exposed & familiar with technology

Begins with the young researchers

Linguistic incompetence

Especially in English & Arabic

Arabic = essential for gaining access to the original

source

English = medium of dissemination

Financial difficulties

Close cooperation b/w Muslim nations on areas of

research of mutual benefit & concern

Contemporary madrasahs

Develop a wider perspective on what’s considered as “Islamic

Knowledge”

Presentation of materials must be relevant

Encouraged students to actively seek knowledge

Lack of confidence

Develop a greater confidence despite the weak ummah

A need to regain the sincerity & taqwa like the early researchers

Western don’t monopolize the knowledge & researches

A need for Muslims to recognize that

May look as preliminary understanding, but it’s up to the Muslims

themselves to conclude

References

http://www.virtualmosque.com/islam-studies/islamic-

law/towards-understanding-ijtihad-and-taqleed-a-brief-

introduction/

http://www.wisdom.edu.ph/Shariah-fiq-usul/urf_and_istishab.htm

http://www.slideshare.net/nelfiamiera/urf-custom

http://www.academia.edu/7858172/Aplication_Maslahah_Mursa

lah

http://www.slideshare.net/HabibJoelAlMukhlis/istihsan-34370061

http://www.wisdom.edu.ph/Shariah-fiq-usul/ijma.htm