History of Orientalism’s Study of Islamic Thought: Its origins, methods, objectives, and impact on contemporary Islamic thought
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35516/Hum.2025.8024Keywords:
Orientalism, Islamic thought, Islamic studies, cultural heritage, colonialism.Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this research on the history of Orientalism is to guide scholars towards the necessity of clarifying the relationship between the self and the other, so that one can accept differences and acknowledge the other. This allows for participation in life with others as fellow human beings, despite the diversity and uniqueness of cultures.
Methods: The research requires adopting an analytical, critical, descriptive, and historical methodology to study ideas, while also comparing them. This is necessary because we are confronted with a paradox between the self and the other, which seeks to create a rapprochement that can be described, at the very least, as ethical and humane.
Results: Orientalism, both in the past and the present, has occupied a significant space in Islamic studies. Research on the subject has revolved around three main approaches. The first approach criticizes Orientalism, viewing it as the cultural face of colonialism and missionary movements. The second defends Orientalism, highlighting its significant contributions to preserving Arab-Islamic heritage, particularly through scientific cataloging, the preservation of Islamic history, and the introduction of important ancient texts through verification and reprinting. According to this perspective, we owe Orientalism for facilitating our connection with our cultural heritage. The third approach acknowledges the positive contributions of Orientalism and its role in advancing Islamic studies, both in terms of methodology and subject matter, while also critically evaluating its objectivity. This approach highlights the negatives of Orientalism, particularly its methodologies and goals, its ties to colonialism, and its biased portrayal of Islamic civilization and Eastern culture to the Western world.
Conclusions: This study examines Orientalism, defining it by outlining its historical roots, goals, and methodologies, as well as what it has evolved into in the modern era.
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Accepted 2024-09-19
Published 2025-08-01
