A Muslim Theory of Human Society an Investigation into the Sociological Thought of Malik Bennabi by Mohamed Tahir El-Mesawi, (Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, Thinker's Library, 1998, 177 pp.)

Abstract

l11e book is composed of an introduction, five chapters, a bibliography, and
an index. In the first chapter, the author presents Malik Bennabi's understanding
of religion and its pace in human life. The second chapter outlines his views
as to why human beings associate with each other and form societies. The third
chapter deals with the constitution and dynamics of society as conceived by
Bennabi. The fourth chapter is devoted to culture which features prominently
in his writings. The final chapter discusses his cyclical theory of human sociocultural
and historical development.
The author informs us that he was introduced to Bennabi's thoughts by reading
his Le Phenomene Coranique (The Qur'anic Phenomenon). He was so
impressed with Bennabi's writing that when he contributed an article on the
prospects of an Islamic theory of human society, he referred not only to the
works of Ali Shariati, Muhammad Baqir as-Sadr, Murtaza Mutahhari, but also
to Bennabi. An international seminar on Malik Bennabi held at the University
of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur in 1991 gave him the opportunity to read a paper
dealing with Bennabi's contribution to social theory, in addition to inspiring ...