Maulana Muhammad Abdur Rahim`s (1918-1987) discourse on secularism

Abstract

The present research examines the contribution of Maulana Muhammad Abdur Rahim (1918-1987) in the development of Islamic thought in Bangladesh through his intellectual and socio-political activities. The core discussion is evolved around his discourse on Secularism; the doctrine that gained wide acceptance among the Bangladeshi Muslim society in the post-independence period. This study is based on the investigation of Abdur Rahim`s life and his intellectual legacy. Abdur Rahim`s theoretical discourse on Secularism is primarily found in two of his books; Philosophical Foundation of the Western Civilization and Contemporary Thoughts. The Research predominantly adopts a textual analysis method to examine both the primary (i.e. Abdur Rahim`s writings) and secondary sources which deal with the issue. This study attempts·to understand the methodological initiatives he set in place while introducing Secularism from Islamic perspectives. The research finds that he considers Secularism as the major outcome of the European Renaissance and an umbrella doctrine for some major ideologies. He develops a conceptual framework of studying Secularism by considering it as the source of three significant thoughts; Theory of Evolution, Psychoanalysis Theory of Freud and Marxism. According to him, Secularism and the above mentioned three ideologies are interdependent in nature. Abdur Rahim stated that, early Secularism resembled the idea of separation of political and religious affairs, whereas the modem Secularism expresses a denial of the religion. According to his analysis, this development occurred due to the contributions of the three major theoretical concepts in the evolution of contemporary Secularism. Hence, Secularism has contributed in the development of those three theories and vice-versa. An analysis of Abdur Rahim`s discourse shows that, he was an exponent of contemporary Islamic revivalist thought, striving to achieve the integrated development of Muslim Ummah worldwide and re-establish the Muslim civilization based of revelation, Divine justice and universal humanity. To uphold the essence of Islamic code of life, he finally rejects Secularism and considers it invalid for the Muslims. Abdur Rahim has presented the discussion of modem socio-political and economic theories for the first time from Islamic perspectives to the Bengali readers. This research concludes with some insights into the influence of other scholars on him as well as the significance of his discourse for the Bangladeshi society. Intellectual contribution of Abdur Rahim through writing profoundly in Bengali is found germane yet to the contemporary Bangladeshi society and the situation of increasing tension between Islam and Secularism there.