Islamization of Language and Science Concepts Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas

Abstract

This study examines Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas’s concept of the Islamization of language and knowledge as a response to the dominance of Western secular and materialistic epistemology. Al-Attas argues that language has a central role in shaping human thought; therefore, purifying key Islamic terms is necessary to prevent distortion of meaning. In the field of knowledge, he proposes an epistemological framework based on tawḥīd, integrating revelation, reason, intuition, and khabar ṣādiq as valid sources of knowledge. The concept of ta’dīb is positioned as the foundation for forming a morally responsible and civilized individual. Using a library research method, this study analyzes al-Attas’s primary works and relevant academic literature. The findings show that the Islamization of language and knowledge remains relevant for strengthening Islamic epistemology, developing integrative educational curricula, and offering an alternative paradigm to address the challenges of globalization and secularization while maintaining spiritual and ethical values rooted in tawḥīd.