ROLE REVERSAL: SHARED KNOWLEDGE BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND THE WEST

The paper will investigate and analyze how Muslims at the height of their power, because of their pluralistic, humanistic, rationalistic, creative and mystical minds warmly received and accepted knowledge, science, culture and Greek thoughts which were not contrary to the teachings of Islam. The paper will elaborate on how Muslims familiarized the western world with the treasures of Greek thought which provided keys to substantial contributions and advancements in every branch of human learning of their day. The liberating light of Islam and Muslim thinkers and Scholars in Abbasid courts influenced every aspect of European growth. Now, more than ever it is the Muslims’ turn to benefit from the scientific and specialized knowledge of the West. Instead of resistance and revolution Muslims must consider, think and reflect on the western progress without biases. Muslims have developed an attitude of despair and revolt. Educated people realize that anything they do or think is not the product of any race, religion, country, language orclass but the product of the world as a whole. The Ulema in contemporary Muslim World can be the custodians of positive change by acting fast in analyzing and passing verdicts and juristic opinions on dilemmas of the world today and help to assert better understanding and peace among the people of the world. The role of the Jurists should be a blessing and not a burden for Muslims.