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HISTORICAL METHODOLOGIES
Historical methodology is the aspect that deals with how we study the past. These involve the techniques and guidelines applied by historians during the course of their research.
Historical research is an inquiry into a past event through the collection, evaluation, examination and presentation of evidences in order to establish facts that will help to understand the present and future events.
Islam is built on two Ghaib (unknown) which are:
(a) Future
(b) Past
It is irrational for someone to claim that he have the knowledge of the past and future event. Allah (SWT) says: "(He Alone) the All-Knower of the Ghâ'ib (unseen), and He reveals to none His Ghâ'ib (unseen), except to a Messenger (from mankind) whom He has chosen (He informs him of unseen as much as He likes), and then He makes a band of watching guards (angels) to march before him and behind him. (Al-jinn Q 72:26-27)
There is difference between ghaib and kashf, no one has the hidden knowledge except Allah (SWT), kashf can appear in any form, someone can claim he had a dream and what he dreamt will surely come to past. Likewise the Jin, the prophet said they were possessing the ability of hearing what will happen in the future by mounting on each other so as to be closer to the heaven, the little they hear the multiply it with false and reveal it to human. But Allah stopped them from such act. The Jin can only possess kashf like that of human being but they can’t have knowledge of the hidden which has contradicted. Allah alone has the knowledge of the hidden. In Islam anyone who claim he has hidden knowledge is said to be kazaab (liar).
APPLICATION OF HISTORY METHODOLOGIES
In order to be accurate and versed in historical research, one has to make decision on how the research will be conducted. The steps to follow are listed below:
1. Identify a historical problem i.e. a need to conduct historical problem.
2. Collect as much relevant information about the problem or topic as possible.
This is known as collection of data. Data can be collected through (i) primary data (ii) secondary data.
3. Formulation of hypothesis: This is regarded as a statement of fact which has not been proved. It explains the relationship between historical facts.
4. Organize your evidences and verify the veracity of the sources of the information.
5. Analyze, interpret data and draw your conclusion.
6. Record your conclusion in a meaningful narrative.
Primary Source
This is an act of having factual tools about the past event. Examples are manuscript, fossils, artifacts, eyewitness, etc.
Secondary source
This is fact provided by a person that did not witness the time or event. Example is journal that has been published.
RELIABILITY OF SOURCES
As we considered secondary and primary sources as means of gathering information, one will rely on primary sources because they are more reliable than secondary sources. Also primary source may be inaccurate or tampered with, eye witnessed may be biased or a government document deliberately doctored in order to serve some ulterior purposes. To overcome this dilemma, historian’s uses test of consistency i.e. it is self contradictory, corroboration or validation by other related sources so as to know whether the report is authenticated by evidences from other sources.
Ibn Khaldoon on Factors which affect the interpretation of Sources
1. Partisanship: This can affect the interpretation of sources by dislikes or biases if not put under check.
2. Overconfidence of a source: This can reduce the quality of interpretation of sources of a researcher by relying on his own source alone.
3. Failure to understand what is intended or inability to place an event in its real content.
4. A mistaken belief in the truth.
5. The desire to gain contentment in high rank by not having contentment.
6. Exaggeration i.e. Mujamolah can affect the interpretation of sources.
7. Ignorance of the laws governing the transformation of human society.
Historical methodology is the aspect that deals with how we study the past. These involve the techniques and guidelines applied by historians during the course of their research.
Historical research is an inquiry into a past event through the collection, evaluation, examination and presentation of evidences in order to establish facts that will help to understand the present and future events.
Islam is built on two Ghaib (unknown) which are:
(a) Future
(b) Past
It is irrational for someone to claim that he have the knowledge of the past and future event. Allah (SWT) says: "(He Alone) the All-Knower of the Ghâ'ib (unseen), and He reveals to none His Ghâ'ib (unseen), except to a Messenger (from mankind) whom He has chosen (He informs him of unseen as much as He likes), and then He makes a band of watching guards (angels) to march before him and behind him. (Al-jinn Q 72:26-27)
There is difference between ghaib and kashf, no one has the hidden knowledge except Allah (SWT), kashf can appear in any form, someone can claim he had a dream and what he dreamt will surely come to past. Likewise the Jin, the prophet said they were possessing the ability of hearing what will happen in the future by mounting on each other so as to be closer to the heaven, the little they hear the multiply it with false and reveal it to human. But Allah stopped them from such act. The Jin can only possess kashf like that of human being but they can’t have knowledge of the hidden which has contradicted. Allah alone has the knowledge of the hidden. In Islam anyone who claim he has hidden knowledge is said to be kazaab (liar).
APPLICATION OF HISTORY METHODOLOGIES
In order to be accurate and versed in historical research, one has to make decision on how the research will be conducted. The steps to follow are listed below:
1. Identify a historical problem i.e. a need to conduct historical problem.
2. Collect as much relevant information about the problem or topic as possible.
This is known as collection of data. Data can be collected through (i) primary data (ii) secondary data.
3. Formulation of hypothesis: This is regarded as a statement of fact which has not been proved. It explains the relationship between historical facts.
4. Organize your evidences and verify the veracity of the sources of the information.
5. Analyze, interpret data and draw your conclusion.
6. Record your conclusion in a meaningful narrative.
Primary Source
This is an act of having factual tools about the past event. Examples are manuscript, fossils, artifacts, eyewitness, etc.
Secondary source
This is fact provided by a person that did not witness the time or event. Example is journal that has been published.
RELIABILITY OF SOURCES
As we considered secondary and primary sources as means of gathering information, one will rely on primary sources because they are more reliable than secondary sources. Also primary source may be inaccurate or tampered with, eye witnessed may be biased or a government document deliberately doctored in order to serve some ulterior purposes. To overcome this dilemma, historian’s uses test of consistency i.e. it is self contradictory, corroboration or validation by other related sources so as to know whether the report is authenticated by evidences from other sources.
Ibn Khaldoon on Factors which affect the interpretation of Sources
1. Partisanship: This can affect the interpretation of sources by dislikes or biases if not put under check.
2. Overconfidence of a source: This can reduce the quality of interpretation of sources of a researcher by relying on his own source alone.
3. Failure to understand what is intended or inability to place an event in its real content.
4. A mistaken belief in the truth.
5. The desire to gain contentment in high rank by not having contentment.
6. Exaggeration i.e. Mujamolah can affect the interpretation of sources.
7. Ignorance of the laws governing the transformation of human society.
