USM, PENANG, 18 May 2018 – Using examples from Alex Osborn and Edward deBono as references in explaining the topic, Professor Jamal Ahmed Bashier Badi recently presented a talk on “Creative Thinking in Islam: Concepts and Issues” at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV).

Being the first in the ISDEV-IIIT Discourse Series, the talk presented by Professor Jamal Badi highlighted the encouragement of creativity and being creative in Islam. He said that Islam supports the practice of ‘ijtihad’ (independent or original interpretations and understanding of issues or problems to seek solutions or decisions).

This was based among others on a hadith (saying) of the Prophet, in relating to a companion on how to seek a solution to a problem. The companion said that he would seek for the solution in the Quran, or the Sunnah (traditions) or as a final resort, by doing ‘ijtihad’. The Prophet, upon hearing the answer, agreed with the companion.

Professor Jamal Badi then shared a view from Malek Bennabi, an Algerian philosopher and writer, who said that “the Quran was definitely able to create a new intellectual atmosphere...”

He continued by saying that Islam has its basis of growth and expansion through divergent thinking, which is related to the aspect of creativity. This can be seen in the interpretations of the rules and principles by the four different schools of thought or ‘mazhab’, from which the rulings are widely practised by Muslims around the world today.

Islam has always encouraged its followers to be creative in the way they think. There are numerous Quranic verses and hadith which have commanded all mankind and the Muslims to deliberate upon, ponder and reflect on life. Professor Jamal Badi has identified 15 thinking styles mentioned in the Quran, namely being inquisitive, intuitive, reflective, objective, positive, visual, rational, emotional, logical, analogical, metaphorical, conceptual, perceptual, scientific, hypothetical and wishful in their thinking. One example mentioned can be found in the last part of Surah al-Hasyr in the Quran.

Islam encourages such creative thinking styles or practices for positive applications, and it’s available for both Muslims and non-Muslims. Whichever thinking style is practised, it would either be on matters regarding the religion (‘ijtihad’) or on civil issues (universal divine laws or social divine laws).

He further stated that in Islam, the practice of thinking is related to the ‘Qalb’ or the heart, rather than being solely brain-based. There are evidences quoted of neuron cells which can be found more in the heart than in the brain. This implies that ‘ideas’ would be 'generated' in the heart and later to be captured and framed in the brain/mind. 

In framing such ideas, Islam has also provided guidelines for mankind. Generally, the formation of ideas would undergo two different stages of thinking, which are creative and logical. The creative stage requires making speculations and forming designs, while the logical stage would relate more to norms and values.

Professor Jamal Badi added that, a variety of thinking styles can be found in the Quran. The Quran is a message from Allah to all mankind. Thus, it requires the readers to be inquisitive and to contemplate in their readings. In fact, he has identified 1,256 questions in the Quran, reflecting various thinking/questioning styles.

He summed up the talk by saying that more people need to practice creative thinking skills. The skills can be learned and developed, but there is also the need for them to be sustained and expanded. In order to practice ‘ijtihad’, one needs to be provided with guidance and guidelines, reserved mainly for the ‘mujtahids’ (Muslim scholars). Having good thinking skills then would surely bring positive and focused benefits.

The two-hour talk, held at the ISDEV Resource Room in collaboration with the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) USA, was attended by the Director of ISDEV, Associate Professor Dr. Zakaria Bahari; Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh along with other academics and students.

Professor Jamal Ahmad Bashier Badi lectures at the Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). His areas of interest include Aqidah, Islamic Dakwah and Islamic Thought and Creative Thinking.

Text: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin