International recognition of the heritage of our great ancestors

Thanks to independence, the centuries-old ambitions of our nation have come true and national values ​​have been restored. In Uzbekistan, systematic work is underway to develop the religious and educational sphere, to preserve the purity of our sacred religion, to reveal the true principles of humanity, as well as to train qualified personnel in this field.

Some organizations and institutions, as well as the Imam Bukhari International Scientific Research Center continues to operate even in the quarantine implemented in our country due to Covid-19. It is known that during the visit of the Chairman of the Egyptian Complex Al-Azhar Sheikh Dr. Ahmed el-Tayeb to our country in 2018, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Center and Al-Azhar University in Cairo.

This document provides great possibilities to study the great scientific heritage of Imam Bukhari and other thinkers who have made an invaluable contribution to the development of hadith science. Also this document ensures collaboration of joint activities and events on scientific, theoretical and methodological issues, creates a wide range of opportunities for the mutual exchange of experience and training of staff.

As part of the implementation of the Memorandum, the scientific-staff of our Center, in collaboration with the Institute of Islamic Studies of the Al-Azhar complex, conducted an online seminar on the topic “The contribution of Maverannahr scholars to the development of Islamic civilization”. It was attended by, Secretary General of the Institute of Islamic Studies of the Al-Azhar Dr. Nazeer Mohamed Ayyad, as well as researchers of the Center and more than 50 Uzbek scientists and researchers.

Speaking of Imam Abu Mansour Maturidi, the Egyptian scholar claimed that he was one of the great scholars of the Sunnah and Jamaat, and that Allah defended the pure religion of Islam thanks to the knowledge and the school of this great scholar. “The school of Maturidia plays an important role in the development of human civilization. Imam Maturidi is recognized as an outstanding scientist who conducted scientific research not only in the field of akidah and kalam, but also in the field of tafsir, fiqh, the foundations of religion, logic and comparative theology. Although “Ta’wilat al-Qur’an” is associated with the science of tafsir, is someone reads he will also see a combination of sciences like sharia, aql and naql, the arabic language,” said Nazeer Mohamed Ayyad.

Imam Maturidi was not only a Shariah scholar, but also an engineer and mathematician. As evidence, we can cite his student, Muhammad ibn Ashraf al-Samarkandi, a famous representative of the school of Maturidia, who conducted research in the field of applied and natural sciences.

According to the Egyptian scientist, the school of Maturidia created such a stable and solid teaching that it played a very important role in various periods of human civilization, especially in the formation and development of Islamic civilization. In particular, today it is impossible to imagine Islamic theology without the works of Imam Maturidi, such as “Ta’wilat al-Qur’an” and “Tawhid”. Many scientists still admire Maturidi’s high intellect in the field of analogy, example, logic and debate, his refutation of various contradictory groups and even his art of dispelling his opponents with their own words.

Nazeer Mohamed Ayyad noted that the teachings of Maturidia along with the Ashari school complement the adherents of the Sunnah and Jamaat. In his opinion, the time has come to study and research the manuscripts of the teaching of Maturidia, stored in world libraries, and begin to reveal unexplored aspects of this doctrine in close cooperation.

Another well-known Islamic scholar, the head of the Turkish Academy of Islamic Sciences, Sheikh Ahmad Damanhuri also took part in the seminar. The scientist noted that refusing to study the scientific heritage and teachings of scholars such as Imam Maturidi is tantamount to moving away from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Indeed, these great scholars are the link between the Noble Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and us. They brought to us the knowledge of kalam, tafsir, hadith and fiqh.

“Uzbekistan is a great country with an ancient and rich history, which has brought up many outstanding scientists and thinkers. Each of the scientists who were born on this earth is a beacon of enlightenment for the entire Islamic world. In particular, Imam Maturidi is not only the pride of Uzbekistan, but also a spiritual guru and teacher of all Muslims. The generation living in Uzbekistan today is more responsible than others to study the scientific heritage of scientists such as Imam Maturidi, Imam Bukhari and Imam Nasafi. If you will be negligent in this regard in the homeland of thinkers, this will affect the entire Ummah,” said Ahmad Damanhuri.

The head of the Turkish Academy of Islamic Sciences expressed confidence that more fruitful studies will be conducted in our country to study the life and scientific heritage of scientists from Maverannahr.

Ahmad Damanhuri was invited to conduct a scientific and practical seminar at the Imam Bukhari International Scientific Research Center at a convenient time for him, and the scientist accepted it with great pleasure.