An Epistemology of Futures studies: an Islamic Perspective

Given that the future is uncertain, it is natural for one to hope for the best while avoiding making sacrifices — it is difficult for people to give up the things that they value today for the sake of the future. Yet, it would be immature to expect significant change or transformation in the future without deep thinking or a paradigm shift. Unfortunately, the Muslim world lags far behind Western countries and research institutions in the area of futures studies, despite the fact that Islam requires its Ummah and leaders of the Ummah to be prepared to the best of their abilities for future challenges, to plan for the future wellbeing of the coming generations as well as to become competent and exemplary leaders of mankind. In this paper I will provide an Islamic perspective to futures studies. Typical research questions in the field are focused to the epistemology of knowledge about the future, the methodological development of futures studies tools and analyses of alternative futures, all from an Islamic perspective. Specifically, I ask what are the philosophical foundations on which futures studies is based? After critically examining the methods and tools futurist use in anticipating the future, I will propose some principles for an Islamic perspective on futures studie