The Conceptual Nexus Between Islamic Foresight, Islamic Thought and the Shariah

Abstract

The current global Muslim community is facing new challenges amidst the remnants of historical colonisation, sectarianism, and current geopolitical, economic and social realities. Despite these challenges, Muslim communities in general have been consistent in preserving the religious precepts derived from the primary sources of Al-Quran and Al-Sunnah, which form the foundation of the Islamic identity. Although widely underemphasised, futures thinking is deeply ingrained in the precepts of Islamic thought since the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), which unbeknownst to many, has indubitably shaped the transformation not only in Muslim communities, but has also influenced global shifts in civilisation from multifarious aspects, for example, science and technology, arts, governance and social justice. This paper seeks to illustrate the significance of Islamic futures thinking as a foundation for progress in Muslim communities, by applying the qualitative methods of content analysis and engagements in focus group discussions. To this end, the study analyses data obtained from the exploration of Islamic texts, traditions and literatures on the Islamic perspectives of futures thinking. This paper advances the proposition that futures thinking has a profound basis in Islam due to the universal nature of the Islamic concepts of knowledge, the methods of addressing gradual and imminent change, its constant inspirations towards excellence and a justly balanced society, as well as Islamic ethics in foresight. Findings of this study highlight the importance of futures thinking as a capacity that must be developed in the Muslim world as part of the process towards long term social transformation.