Lately the Institute has developed an interest in several new areas of study. The new fields engaging its attention are Islam in South Asia, Comparative Religion and Islam and Science.
For the past two and a half centuries the Islamic civilization has been facing the challenge of the West. This critical encounter began at a time when the Islamic civilization had lost much of its élan and its institutions had decayed. On the other hand, the civilization with which it came face to face was in its full bloom and was characterized by immense energy and vigour – intellectual, scientific, technological and military. It is significant that some of the most outstanding thinkers who have contributed to the awakening of the Muslims in modern times belong to South Asia. They have made important contributions in different branches of Islamic thought and learning. It is for this reason that the Institute has begun to take interest in a study of Islam with reference to South Asia. Several works have been published, some are in the pipeline and still more are in the process of being planned.
Another aspect of Islamic civilization is that early in their history Muslims came into contact with other religions. They took keen interest in acquiring knowledge of the religions they encountered – Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. In studying these religions, they set rigorous standards of scholarship. The Institute revives this tradition by planning studies in Comparative Religion.
The contribution of Muslim civilization and culture to the development of various branches of thought and learning has also lately begun to receive a measure of recognition. The Institute feels the need for research in this field with a view to highlighting the evolution of science and learning during the heyday of Muslim ascendancy. The Institute regularly holds seminars and academic conferences with participation by internationally-known scholars from Western and Muslim countries on a wide spectrum of themes of classical and modern scholarly interest. These seminars form an integral part of the Institute’s research and publishing programme.
At the level of the Muslim Ummah, the Institute has paid special attention to developing contacts with Muslim scholars and institutions all across the globe. The Institute sees for itself a kind of catalytic role in inducing Muslim scholars to more vigorously pursue their efforts at rediscovering and reinterpreting the rich heritage of Islamic thought and its cultural and civilizational manifestations for an age in which hope has arisen of a sustained dialogue among people belonging to different religious, cultural and historical traditions. Muslim scholarship in the fast-changing modern environment has the responsibility of reviving its tradition of intellectual endeavour and academic enterprise to formulate and project a coherent worldview of Islam addressing the concerns of the present times.
Scholarly Approach
In addition to its assistance and consultancy to national and international organizations in Pakistan and abroad, the Islamic Research Institute has been attempting to promote a moderate and responsible style of discourse on the issues concerning Islam and the challenges facing the Muslims. Its publications, seminars and conferences provide a forum for free expression of opinions, backed by research and based on a good knowledge of Islam, mainly from its primary sources. This provides for sober and scholarly review of differing viewpoints. It has gradually begun to be noticed by a section of the Pakistani society that the Institute has been promoting an Islamic discourse which rises above sectarian and other narrow considerations and presents a broad view of Islam. It is being increasingly acknowledged that this discourse is constructive and develops a tolerant mindset which is conducive to creating concord and harmony in the society.
National Library of Islamic Research
The library of the Institute was established, with the ambition to develop a comprehensive collection on Islam and the Muslims in the major languages of the World. The library, which was named after the renowned scholar Dr. Muhammad Hamidullah in 1986, is unique in many respects. It possesses original source material in Arabic, Persian and Urdu, besides a large number of important works by Muslim and non-Muslim scholars in English, French, German, Italian, Greek, Spanish, Russian and other major languages. In terms of selection of books and its stock of essential and rare works it is the best library on Islamics in Pakistan. It was in recognition of this fact that it was declared in 1998 by the Government of Pakistan as the National Library of Islamic Research.
National Sirah Centre
In 1999 the Government of Pakistan decided to embark upon the ambitious plan of setting up a National Sirah Library and Study Centre. The task was entrusted to the Institute. A sizable grant has been provided to fulfill the requirements of this project. The choice of the Institute to host this library is an expression of the nation’s confidence. This fills the Institute with an added sense of responsibility to establish a facility that will adequately meet the needs of both advanced scholars and general readers. Books, manuscripts and significant publications in major languages on Sirah and related subjects are being acquired. The task is being carried out with great zeal and responsibility.
2003 - 2010 Islamic Reserach Institute, Islamabad, Pakistan.
