The Islamic Humanities Forum
On Saturday, October 24, 2026, the Islamic Humanities Forum organized its inaugural seminar as part of a series of monthly academic sessions. The event featured lectures by esteemed scholars and intellectual figures interested in Islamic-oriented human sciences, as well as critics of current trends in Western human sciences and contemporary Western technology. Conducted in an interactive panel format, the discussion began by examining the historical evolution of the human sciences in the West during the early 19th century, particularly with the emergence of Auguste Comte’s ideas.
The participants then addressed the contemporary shifts that have necessitated raising the topic of Islamic human sciences. These include:
The extremism of Western scientists in their theories, most notably Richard Dawkins and Stephen Hawking.
Political and cultural hegemony across the globe.
Dangerous digital domination and military artificial intelligence.
Furthermore, structural criticisms of Western human sciences were highlighted, such as the relative and absolute ignorance inherent in human knowledge, the tendency of Western scientists to evade existential and destiny-defining questions in favor of purely empirical outcomes, the illogical generalization of empirical results, and emerging crises—such as the replication crisis in Western scientific research and the failure to diagnose global crises like the 2008 financial crash. The discussion also pointed out notable deviations within Western human sciences, including gender ideology, homosexuality, and atheism. Ultimately, it was emphasized that what is required today is a steadfast belief in authentic Muhammadan Islam as the proper framework for evaluating and actualizing the sciences.
It was also noted that the realization of Islamic human sciences today and in the future cannot be achieved merely by extracting religious texts from Quranic verses and narrations regarding specialized fields, nor is it limited to observing Islamic legal boundaries (Shariah constraints) within the human sciences. Rather, the Islamic vision for any discipline can only be completed by presenting an integrated, contemporary framework—whether provisional or sustainable—for each field. This can only truly materialize under the umbrella of a stable Islamic state or a global civilization.
One of the attendees pointed out that this does not preclude benefiting from Western sciences, particularly medicine and technology, asserting that we cannot antagonize the West; instead, we must engage in dialogue with them and benefit from their knowledge—noting that even the Pope has opposed the current trajectory of artificial intelligence.
Another attendee noted that, just as existence takes precedence over essence (Al-Asalah lil-Wujud la lil-Mahiyyah), the development witnessed in the world is the result of divine revelation conveyed to His prophets; otherwise, humanity’s fate without revelation would be nothing more than mutual warfare and self-annihilation. Therefore, we insist upon the following principles:
Despite its achievements, the human sciences in the West suffer from intellectual and mental aberrations and deviations.
The human sciences in Western universities and research centers harbor colonial backgrounds and strive for hegemony.
Despite its progress and advancement, Western science and technology suffer from a serious—indeed lethal—chaos, and the hyper-competitive environment has become uncontrollable.
Islam, just as it was at its inception, is fully capable of providing a sound environment for scientific development within a rational and wholesome framework.
The Islamic environment for scientific and technological development is ideally suited to ensure that science remains in the service of humanity and human dignity.
A vital warning call must be raised against certain hazardous scientific endeavors, such as dominant artificial intelligence and genetic research.
— Muhammad Hourani
