The Philosophy of Unity in the Writings of Fazlur Rahman Ansari

In the Unity of Philosophy in the Writings of Fazlur Rahman Ansari, the first part of Tawasul's Muhammad Fazlur Rahman Ansari Series, Abdul Kader Choughley, a foremost scholar of South Asian Muslim intellectual heritage, examines the concept of Tawhid in Ansari's oeuvres. Tawhid, the inimitable oneness and uniqueness of God, though beyond any likeness to anything conceivable or inconceivable, in the Quranic parlance, according to Ansari, must be reflected in the unity of God's creation. Tawhid, Ansari argues, is interlinked to the development of the integrated worldview about humanity's success in this world. Moreover, it expands the horizon of 'Ibadah (worship) by investing values that have far-reaching implications for a balanced outlook on life. It is this vision that cuts across the barriers of bigotry, irrationality and superstition. In its essence, the thematic significance of Tawhid is framed from the lens of Divine guidance (Wahy). Fazlur Rahman Ansari (1914-1974), one the brilliant South Asian Muslim scholars of the last century, contributed enormously to the revival Islamic thought through his many insightful books and lectures. Apart from the Tawhid, some of the recurring themes of Ansari's works are the Prophet's (peace be upon him) life and the meaning of his Sunnah, the true significance of Shari'ah, the meaning of Tasawwuf, the remembrance of God (Dhikr), the role of women in Islam, Islam relations with the West, Christianity, secularism and other modern ideologies.