Islam’s Response to Postmodern Challenges to Identity

Abstract

The question of identity has perennially captivated philosophers throughout history, progressing from the assertion "I am the only one" to the nihilistic declaration "I am nothing" and eventually culminating in the Cartesian proposition "I think, therefore I am," only to confront the assertion of knowing nothing. This article contends that Islam occupies a unique position capable of offering the answers sought by the disoriented postmodern individuals, provided we can articulate these answers in a language accessible to them. Three key points are explored in this article:1. A concise exploration of the evolution of the self, transitioning from the modern, stable self to the postmodern, fragmented, and shifting self. Significant focus is directed towards the viewpoints of distinct postmodern intellectuals, such as Lacan, Foucault, and Ricoeur, who interpret the self as a product of linguistic construction. 2. An apologetic response to these postmodern thinkers is presented, highlighting both the insights and inherent problems within their perspectives. 3. A brief exposition of the Islamic viewpoint on identity is discussed, emphasizing how Islam perceives the self as both a stable given and an ongoing project. In the contemporary world, identity is no longer a given but an open question, stemming from various factors such as postmodern philosophies, the conditions of late modernity, and postmodernity. It is imperative to furnish a compelling response to the question of identity from the Islamic perspective.