The intellectual legacy of Mohd Kamal Hassan

Ali, Mohd Mumtaz and Abdul Razak, Mohd Abbas (2025) The intellectual legacy of Mohd Kamal Hassan. IIUM Today.

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Abstract

In August 2025, students and academics at the International Islamic University Malaysia witnessed the publication of a new book on the late Professor Mohd Kamal Hassan. As the authors, our intention in producing this humble work was not driven by grand ambitions, but by a deep sense of gratitude—an effort to honour a great scholar, thinker, and the main conceptualizer of IIUM. While others have written and will continue to write about him, we wished to contribute to the growing body of literature on this towering figure in the Malay world in our own way. As a tribute to his life and contributions, we titled the book Mohd Kamal Hassan: The Pearl of the Malay World. Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, which was very much interested in the subject matter of the book, became the official publisher. The term ‘pearl’ was chosen to analogically represent his brilliance and character. Like the lustre of a pearl, Kamal Hassan’s ideas shone brightly, capturing the attention of intellectuals and students alike. Just as a pearl forms deep within the ocean, his intellectual legacy emerged from years of deep scholarship and contemplation. His work not only enlightened minds but also led to the conceptualization of the first Islamic university in Malaysia. What made his vision distinct was its eclectic nature—a synthesis of the intellectual traditions of both East and West. His model for an Islamic university was rooted in the rich heritage of the Muslim world, while also incorporating elements of Western civilization, which he regarded as part of the lost legacy of Muslim contributions to human knowledge. A great admirer of the Muslim poet-philosopher Muhammad Iqbal (1877–1938), his approach to conceptualizing ideas involved making them relevant to the contemporary world—a thoughtful blend of insights drawn from both classical and modern eras.

Item Type:	Article (Bulletin)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Intellectual Legacy, Mohd Kamal Hassan, Islamization Knowledge, Islamization of the Human Self.
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc > BP1 Islam B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc > BP1 Islam > BP170.8 Universality of Islam B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc > BP190.5 Islamization of Knowledge
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Usul al-Din and Comparative Religion Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Fundamental and Inter-Disciplinary Studies (Effective: 5th Feb 2014)
Depositing User:	Dr. Mohd Abbas Abdul Razak
Date Deposited:	15 Oct 2025 10:37
Last Modified:	15 Oct 2025 10:37
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/123699

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