Founding statement

Center for Studies in the Interpretation of Islam

Founding statement: approach, mission and objectives

What is Islam? What is its religious and worldly message? What are its aims and objectives? What is its function in life? What does it ask of Muslims? Consequently, what do Muslims seek through their adherence to Islam, and what is their message to others?

These are the most important questions concerning the reality of Islam and its call, especially in our contemporary circumstances, when many movements, groups and organisations act in its name. It has become clear that many have been influenced by ancient and modern ideas, theories and philosophies. Political, utilitarian, social and philosophical interpretations of Islam have appeared that depart from its realities and overarching objectives. This has produced harmful consequences, among the most evident and dangerous of which are extremism, violence and terrorism.

Islam presents an integrated interpretation of religion, its realities and its objectives. It offers a clear account of the universe, the human being, life, death, the Hereafter, the unseen world, worship and righteous action. This interpretation arises from Islam itself, embodied in its two sources: the Noble Qur’an and the Prophetic Sunnah. In that light, Islam’s message, aims and objectives become apparent. Subjecting it to any other source, theory or philosophy for interpreting religion will undoubtedly produce a fundamental distortion affecting its spirit and essence.

Striving to document, clarify and disseminate the correct interpretation of Islam, on the basis of Islam itself and apart from differing philosophies, ideas and opinions, is therefore among the foremost duties of scholars. It is necessary to confront the intellectual and civilisational challenges surrounding Muslims and the resulting intellectual, social and political currents within and beyond Muslim societies. These currents interpret, practise and advocate Islam under the influence, to varying degrees, of theories foreign to Islam’s interpretation of religion.

We therefore recognised the importance of taking the initiative through a scholarly contribution in this field: establishing an academic research centre called the Center for Studies in the Interpretation of Islam. It specialises in research and studies concerning issues in the interpretation of Islam and related questions of creed, jurisprudence, history, thought, and the various Islamic and non-Islamic schools and sects.

God willing, the Centre will contribute scholarly studies meeting the standards of peer-reviewed academic research and make them accessible to scholars, students of religious knowledge and the wider educated public. Its work will follow these principles:

1. The Centre clarifies the interpretation of Islam by preparing studies and research, or translating research, addressing Islam’s realities, objectives and purposes across scholarly, practical and ethical fields.
2. The Centre works to assemble information, statistical data, documents and research sources concerning the interpretation of Islam in particular and religion in general. It prepares them for various scholarly research purposes, including building a comprehensive electronic reference library.
3. The Centre observes priorities when addressing questions and issues, focusing on those most central, important and influential in interpreting and understanding Islam.
4. The Centre seeks to communicate its message to the general public, Muslim and non-Muslim, across ages and areas of expertise, using appropriate forms and styles and the best modern means of communication.
5. The Centre seeks to broaden cooperation with as many scholars, students, specialists and educated people as possible, benefiting from their contributions and scholarly efforts while extending the reach and publicity of its activities and work.
6. The Centre represents neither a political grouping nor a party organisation, and is not partisan towards any individual or group. It seeks to serve the interpretation of Islam according to the Sunni approach and in accordance with the Qur’an and Sunnah. The efforts of its organisers and collaborators remain human efforts, liable to error and open to criticism and review.
7. Membership requires adherence to Islam according to the Sunni approach and refraining from conduct contrary to the Centre’s objectives and methodology.
8. The Centre does not engage in political activity. Its work is limited to Islamic scholarship, mutual counsel and dialogue according to moderation and balance, avoiding incitement and racism.
9. Among the Centre’s principal objectives is confronting excessive religious zeal, extremism, violence and terrorism by focusing on their doctrinal and intellectual roots and identifying the factors that sustain them through distorted interpretations of Islam.
10. The Centre will fund its activities through donations and financial assistance from governments, institutions and individuals willing to offer support without imposing conditions or restrictions on its work, objectives or methodology.

Finally, we ask God to grant this Centre success and acceptance and help those responsible for it offer an effective and distinctive contribution to clarifying the realities of Islam, religion, worship and Islamic law, and their objectives and purposes. May this be a means of guidance to truth, steadfastness upon God’s straight path and benefit to His creation. From Him we seek help and success.