The American Society of Islamic Philosophy and Theology (ASIPT) is a collaborative fellowship of scholars who are dedicated to addressing the Big Questions, those inquiries that arise in every society and era, as well as the questions particular to contemporary Muslim concerns. Traditionally, these subjects fell under the purview of the Muslim kalam tradition, which is insufficiently translated as rationalistic theology, because encompasses a wide range of philosophical inquiry.
From grassroots education to advanced research, ASIPT is driven by the Qur’anic imperatives of unity (tawhid), purity (tazkiya), and societal flourishing (‘umran). A proper education leads to a rich and sustaining life of the mind, sincere experience of the soul, and enriching service to society.
ASIPT speaks from within the tradition. This marks a sharp contrast with many 20th century initiatives aimed at understanding Islam in the contemporary world, which had a tendency to simply develop Arabic terminology for imported philosophical trends, uncritically adopting them rather than forming a dialogue. These movements were often pursued by people with a shallow understanding of traditional sources and western thought alike. In contrast, ASIPT brings together scholars from a variety of fields and educational backgrounds, with a strong tie to classical scholarship.
It is guided by the question, “What would a traditional kalam-based alternative to and engagement with modernity look like? How can it be taught?”
English-speaking scholars of Islam are uniquely positioned when it comes to engaging with this question. The role of English as a global language–indeed, it is effectively the language of modernity in many places–means that there is an inherently broad reach to scholarship in English. ASIPT scholars can provide a more meaningful and intellectually rigorous alternative to the reactive modernist and fundamentalist thought that dominates the discourse in English, elevating the conversation.
This question of course entails a deep look into many aspects of human nature and society, drawing on a deep apparatus of philosophical, scientific, and scriptural research. Contrary to a widely held presumption, a serious theological commitment does not pre-empty the ability to reflect and inquire. Certainly, a look at the historic Muslim intellectual tradition makes this vividly clear. ASIPT is following this model, particularly its practice of engagement with cultural, philosophical, and historical developments.
Bridging Scholars
The United States is home to many skilled academic researchers in fields related to Arabic, Muslim history, and Islamic philosophy, as well as a considerable number of classically-trained scholars (`ulama). A small though growing number of scholars fall into both categories, but for the most part `ulama in the United States teach in private, and academics lack traditional training. This doesn’t mean that they lack an interest in such study—after all, it gives a much richer understanding of their subject areas—but most opportunities to pursue madrasa education entail full-time study, which is something of an impossibility for a mid-career researcher.
ASIPT aims to change that. In collaboration with Basira Education and other organizations, ASIPT will launch an online program to train scholars in the philosophical and theological sciences, without requiring them to run through a full Classical Islamic Seminary curriculum (as discussed in the Curriculum Development section). This platform will draw on ASIPT’s archival work on the classical Ottoman curriculum, linking English-speaking academics and seminary students directly to a sophisticated philosophical apparatus that they can integrate into their own work. Likewise, graduates of Muslim seminaries who did not specialize in philosophy and theology subjects can to fill in any gaps in their training.
Likewise, in collaboration with ASIPT Advisory Board member and Harvard Muslim chaplain Dr. Khalil Abdur Rashid, ASIPT will produce A Compendium of Seminary Texts. Built on the work of “the Last Ottoman”, the Kurdish scholar Shaykh Muhammad Amin Er (d. 2013), who was a teacher of Dr. Abdur Rashid, the text will compile mid-level seminary texts in subjects including logic, grammar, theology, rhetoric, and linguistic theory. Because it is grounded in the fundamentals, it is an accessible text to teach to an audience of varied experience. Dr. Abdur Rashid taught this “Mirani Program” (named for Shaykh Muhammad Amin’s tribe) online between 2017 to 2019 to a great reception. ASIPT’s research assistants have drawn on this material as well as the direct Arabic language teaching texts to develop a new English chaptered monograph that will present these subjects in a way that is accessible to non-specialists. Dr. Spevack and other ASIPT members will then use this English text as the basis for study circles in-person and online.
The impact of this program would be hard to understate. It will allow scholars to grapple with texts that they might have otherwise been able merely to read without fully understanding, as many of these sciences have their own technical vocabularies and teaching methods. They will also be equipped to benefit from the Madrasat al-Falah Recording Archive that ASIPT is producing to make the traditional Ottoman seminary curriculum more widely accessible. These initiatives aim to have a transformative effect on a myriad of pedogical environments, from the seminary to the academy, and from homeschool networks to adult education.