DEFINING ISLAMIC MODERNITY

Defining Islamic modernity

Defining Islamic Modernity

Introduction

The reforms of the Islamic modernism have shifted over the course of time and at times there appears discontinuity in the discourse. These are few of the reasons as to why many Muslim scholars have given thought to this discipline and have discussed the discourse common characteristics (El-Affendi, 2001, p. 67). A new theology ('ilm al-kalam al-jadid) has been under discussion by most of the modern Islamic scholars and most of the scholars thinks that 'ilm al-kalam al-jadid is the need of the day. Most of these scholars say that new theology is basically a new framework of reasoning which will deal the issues like rationality and modernity in an effective manner (Hourani, 1992, p. 34). The Islamic modernists have adopted the framework and they have put light on the four traditional sources i.e. the Qur'an, Saying of the Prophet Muhammad (Hadith), Consensus (Ijma') and Analogies (Qiyas, also known as 'Aql or human reason in the Shi'i school). The most predominant source is the Qur'an and the other three sources authenticity is questioned. The basic framework of Islam i.e. Usul al-fiqh has become debatable by the adopters as it determines the Islamic tradition authencity. The renewal discourse is comparable to the earlier one because it needs the consent of the ancestors and other earlier generations. The authenticity of prophet sayings are also questioned which are not aligned with the Qur'an (Moussalli, 1999, p. 67). On the other hand, the modern or new Islamic theology sources critiques are of the opinion that the idea of difference between the theology and jurisprudence is disregarded by the Islamic modernist and they do so because both are relevant to the Islamic methodology of rationality and authenticity. Hence, Islamic theology has a conception as a framework for discussion than a statement of beliefs. This paper aims to discuss the prominent thinker of islam Sayyid Jamal al-Din al-Afghani and Muhammad 'Abduh after discussing briefly about the Islamic modernism.

Discussion

The majority of the ideas are common shared by other discourses and some of them have even paved the way for these discourses. However, the main source of popular opposition is the renewal of discourse and the resistance to the discourse in the modern society. The Islamic modernist which thinks that backwardness major reason is the adherence to the religion and tradition(El-Affendi, 2001, p. 67). These people are generally called as the Islamic modernist and they main consider the western people modern only. The names of the people in this discourse are many and it is not easy to identify them. Jamaluddin Afghani (d. 1897), Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan (d. 1898), Muhammad Abduh (d. 1905), and Allamah Muhammad Iqbal (d. 1938) led the third discourse and these people verify the Islamic values to modern values. According to these modernist, the first two discourses aims to reform practices and beliefs that direct the society in the backward direction and this third discourse only the reviews the current traditions and belief and not abandon ...