Islamic Dawa and Reform in the Writings of Mohamad Al-Tahir bin Ashour: An Applied Study of his Two Books: Al-Tahreer and Al-Tanweer (Liberation and Enlightenment) and Alaisa Al-Subhu bikareeb? (Isn't the Morning at Hand)

Abstract

In this paper I have studied sheik Mohamad Al-Taher bin Ashour as a prominent scholar who had a major impact in Al-Maghreb Al-Arabi and in the Islamic world at large. Specifically, I sought to highlight the two most important issues he was known for and had tackled at some length- namely, Al-Dawa (the call for Islam) and reform. This has necessitated that the present study be divided into a preface introducing Taher bin Ashour and delineating the most salient features of his Dawi and reformist character. The first section of the study follows and is more theoretical. It deals with the conception of reform and dawa and reveals bin Ashour's most prominent theses in relation to both doctrines, along with what is unique to him, be it pertaining to Dawa approaches and techniques or to its jurisprudential verdict. The second, a more applied section, deals with Taher bin Ashour's reformist approaches in the educational field. It reveals his broad visionary horizon, his theoretical power and his applied endeavours. The conclusion includes the findings of the study, the most important points of which are: the significance of such pioneering figures as Taher bin Ashour in the twin realms of dawa and reform; the need to organize and facilitate the ways and means for serious Islamic scholars to learn and research, and the need to accept criticism and correction, since errors and mistakes in both dawa and reforms are possible and quite common. The most important recommendations are the need for patience and deliberation in criticizing reformers and the need for dawa and reform projects to be based on comprehensive, complementary efforts.