Reflections on Religion and Culture
The book Reflections on Religion and Culture by Afifi Abdul Fattah, a scholar at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, brings together seven essays he published half a century ago. These essays tackle pivotal issues in the Muslim world from an objective, scholarly angle, firmly grounded in the Azharite methodology that draws from the infallible revelations of the Quran and Sunnah. In the first essay, Abdul Fattah examines the role of humanity in existence, juxtaposing religion and science. The second essay discusses the interplay between religious history and scientific inquiry. The third shifts focus to the debate between tradition and innovation, a discussion that began in the early twentieth century and continues to resonate today. In the fourth essay, the author calls for Islamic unity, a theme that aligns with his response to orientalist Montgomery Watt in the fifth essay. The sixth essay reflects on the divine manifestations—expressions of God’s grace and mercy. The final essay delves into the mysteries of the unseen, particularly in light of recent scientific breakthroughs, critiquing contemporary literature on these topics.
