International Journal of Islamic and Civilizational Studies Full Paper UMRAN
|02 (2018) pp. 45 - 54 | www.http://jurnalumran.utm.my/index.php/umran |
© 2018 Penerbit UTM Press. All rights reserved
The Approach of Muhammad Farid Wajdi to the Validity of Prophethood of
Muhammad (p.b.u.h) and His Role in Establsihing a Civilized Society
Adibah Abdul Rahim,
a,
*
a
Department of Usul al-Din and Comparative Religion, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences,
International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Jalan Gombak, 53100 Kuala Lumpur.
*Corresponding author: adibahar@iium.edu.my
Article history
Received: 2017-10-02 Received in revised form: 2017-11-05 Accepted: 2017-11-05
Abstract
This paper attempts to examine the approach of an Egyptian scholar, Muhammad Farid Wajdi, in his study of
Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h). Compared to other studies on Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) which are mostly
historical and descriptive in nature, the approach of Wajdi is based on a scientific and rational method.
Although Wajdi’s extensive writings are on various aspects of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h), this paper
focuses on his arguments on the validity of the prophethood (nubuwwah) and the revelation and role of the
Prophet (p.b.u.h) in establishing a civilized society. The evaluation of the validity of prophethood is necessary
to respond to the misrepresentation of Western orientalists of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) and their
rejection of his prophethood. The role of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) in establishing a civilized society is also
highlighted to invalidate the claim of the West that the Prophet’s role was only confined to the spiritual life of
individuals, whilst disregarding the social, political, and economic aspects. Based on his observations and
evidences, it can be justifiably claimed that Wajdi was able to refute the misrepresentation of Islam, in general,
and Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h), in particular.
Keywords: Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h), Muhammad Farid Wajdi, Prophethood, Revelation, Ummah.