The Concept of an Ideal World in Islamic Utopianism
The concept of an ideal world as envisioned by Islamic Utopians has a curious allure for humans. This paper calls into question the collective conception of social existence held by medieval Utopians such as Ibn ufayl, Ibn al-Nafs, and Ibn Sn. They wholeheartedly support human perfection by Islam's teachings. This notion led them to a general assertion that there was little attractive about the world order but the pure life found in Islam.
The Impracticality of the Ethical Approach in Islamic Utopianism
The paper contends that the ethical approach to society advocated by Islamic Utopians is impractical since the ideal Islamic world of flawless people seems to be out of control. Utopia, according to Ibn Ufayl, is peace and well-being. He dismisses the idea of a community entirely because of imperfect individuals. Ibn al-Nafīs endorses the reality of society as it is because of the hope in the prophets.
Utopian Interest in Education, the City, and Transcendence
Ibn ʿUfayl and Ibn al-Nafīs define utopian interest in three thematic areas; education, the city, and transcendence. Education comes first because it does not exist in a real sense. Utopians are self-taught and disregard the previous authority. They leave their flock to follow them blindly. The city is a presentation of an actual society ruled by the prophetic law. Ibn Sīnā has formulated a philosophical theory to conform to the teachings of the Quran. He states that a prophet fulfills the perfection of human imagination and intelligence. No one can challenge a prophet's law or improve the city.
The Illusion of a Perfect Society in Modern Times
In general, the three utopians present a rationally organized society that mirrors Islamic communities. However, this plan is an exaggeration since a perfect society is an illusion in the modern society. The regimes of discursive power in the contemporary world fail the critical purpose of Islamic utopian philosophies. They all have selfless experience and actualization of truth about Islam and the society.
