Orientalism: Advantages and Disadvantages

Abstract

 “Orientalism” refers to the Western studies of the Islamic East in its languages, literature, history, beliefs, legislation and civilization in general. The views on Orientalism vary between supporters and opponents. As a result, I, Swailem Khalaf Samran Al-Rashidi, a PhD researcher at the Faculty of Da’wah and Fundamentals of Religion at the Islamic University, carried out this research entitled: “Orientalism: Advantages and Disadvantages”.

     The importance of the subject stems from the fact that Orientalism is widespread. It is also dangerous to the Islamic thought since people cannot differentiate between its advantages and disadvantages. The study aims at explaining the meaning of Orientalism and Orientalists, its development as well as its advantages and disadvantages. It uses the inductive and analytical approach.

    The study is divided into three sections. The first is "Definition of Orientalism and Orientalists", in addition to an introduction on the "Emergence of Orientalism". I included two demands in the first section. The first demand is the definition of Orientalism and Orientalists. The second demand is an introduction on the emergence of Orientalism. The second section is "The Advantages of Orientalism". It included four demands. The first demand is about the revival of the Arab-Islamic heritage. The second demand is taking care of manuscripts. The third demand is taking care of encyclopedic lexical composition. The fourth demand is investigation in the science of hadith. The third section is "The Disadvantages of Orientalism". It included three demands. The first demand is spreading suspicions about the Holy Qur’an. The second demand is spreading suspicions about the Sunnah and responding to them. The third demand is the suspicion of affronting the Prophet Mohammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and responding to it.

     The results of the study show advantages and disadvantages for Orientalism. There are orientalists who are fair to Islam, yet there are fanatics. Its recommends more care of Oriental studies, and the study of the phenomenon of Orientalism in universities and schools.