Religious Reform in the Thought of Jamal al-Din al-Afghani: An Analytical Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31185/lark.4204Keywords:
Religion, Reform, Religious Reform, Jamal al-Din al-AfghaniAbstract
This research examines Jamal al-Din al-Afghani's stance on religion within his broader reformist vision, which integrates rational thought with religious renewal. Al-Afghani advocated for the use of reason in interpreting religious texts, rejecting blind imitation and literalism. He identified intellectual stagnation as the primary cause of the Islamic world's decline. The study also explores his defense of Islam against Western criticisms, particularly those of orientalist Ernest Renan, who accused Islam of fostering stagnation. Al-Afghani countered that the decline was due to social and political circumstances rather than the religion itself.
Furthermore, the research highlights al-Afghani's belief that religious reform was essential for broader societal progress. His vision extended beyond theological debates to encompass social and political renewal, emphasizing the need to modernize religious thought in line with contemporary advancements. He linked religious reform with political and social transformation, advocating for the liberation of the Muslim mind from rigid traditions.
In conclusion, al-Afghani's reformist project sought to balance religious preservation with openness to modernity. His approach aimed to equip Muslim societies with the intellectual and critical tools needed to confront modern challenges through rational religious renewal and social awakening.
References
Sources and References
1-Ibrahim Madkour, The Philosophical Lexicon, General Organization for Government Printing Offices, n.d., Cairo, 1979.
2-Ibn Manzur, Lisan al-Arab, Dar Sader for Publishing and Distribution, Volume 2, 3rd Edition, Beirut, 1414 AH.
3-Ibn Manzur, Lisan al-Arab, Adab al-Hawza Publishing, Volume 13, n.d., Qom, 1405 AH.
4-Ahmad Barqawi, An Attempt at Reading the Renaissance Era, Al-Ahali for Printing, Publishing, and Distribution, 2nd Edition, Damascus, 1999.
5-Ahmed Mukhtar Omar, Dictionary of Contemporary Arabic Language, Alam al-Kutub, Volume 1, 1st Edition, Cairo, 2008.
6-Ernest Renan, Averroes and Averroism, Translated by Adel Zuaitir, Dar Ihya al-Kutub al-Arabiya, Cairo, n.d., 1957.
7-André Lalande, Lalande’s Philosophical Encyclopedia, Oweidat Publications, Volume 1, Beirut, 2nd Edition, 2019.
8-Jamal al-Din al-Afghani, A Response to the Materialists, Translated by Muhammad Abduh, Dar al-Maaref al-Hikmiya, 1st Edition, Lebanon, 2017.
9-Gerard Jihami, Encyclopedia of Philosophical Terms in Arabic, Librairie du Liban Publishers, Beirut, 1st Edition, 1988.
10-George Tarabishi, Dictionary of Philosophers, Dar al-Tali’a, 3rd Edition, Beirut, 2006.
11-Hassan Hanafi, Jamal al-Din al-Afghani: The First Centenary 1897–1997, Hindawi Foundation, n.d., n.p., 2023.
12-Zain al-Din al-Razi, Mukhtar al-Sihah, Al-Asriyya Library, 5th Edition, Beirut, 1999.
13-Salama Musa, These Are the Ones Who Taught Me, Hindawi Foundation, n.d., n.p., 2011.
14-Abdul-Jabbar al-Rifai, The Development of Philosophical Studies in the Hawza, Al-A’raf Publishing Foundation, n.d., n.p., 1999.
15-Abd al-Rahman Badawi, Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Arab Foundation for Research and Publishing, Volume 1, 1st Edition, Beirut, 1984.
16-Abdul-Qadir al-Maghribi, Jamal al-Din al-Afghani: Memories and Conversations, Dar al-Maaref, 3rd Edition, Cairo, 1987.
17-Osman Amin, Pioneers of Human Consciousness in the Islamic East, Dar al-Qalam, n.d., Cairo, 1961.
18-Adnan Muhammad Amama, Renewal in Islamic Thought, Dar Ibn al-Jawzi, n.d., Saudi Arabia, 2001.
19-Azmi Zakaria Abu al-Az, Modern and Contemporary Arab Thought, Dar al-Maseera, 1st Edition, Amman, 2012.
20-Ali al-Muhafaza, Intellectual Trends Among Arabs in the Renaissance Era, Al-Ahliya for Publishing and Distribution, n.d., Beirut, 1987.
21-Ghali Gharbi, Studies in the History of the Ottoman State and the Arab East 1288–1916, University Publications Office, 2nd Edition, Algeria, 2011.
22-Muhammad al-Bahi, Modern Colonial Thought and Its Connection to Western Colonialism, Wahba Library, 3rd Edition, Cairo, 1961.
23-Muhammad Abdullah Daraz, Religion: Preliminary Research for the Study of the History of Religions, Beirut, Al-Hurriya Press, n.d.
24-Muhammad Othman al-Khosht, Islam and Science Between al-Afghani and Renan, Dar Quba, n.d., Cairo, 1998.
25-Muhammad Emara, Reform Through Islam, Nahdet Misr, 1st Edition, Egypt, 2006.
26-Muhammad Emara, Sheikh Shaltout: An Imam in Ijtihad and Renewal, Dar al-Salam, n.d., Cairo, n.d.
27-Muhammad Emara, Figures of History, Dar al-Salam for Printing, Publishing, and Distribution, 1st Edition, Egypt, 2008.
28-Ma’n Ziyada, Milestones on the Path to Modernizing Arab Thought, National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters, n.d., Kuwait, 1987.
Periodicals
1-Muhammad Rouhi Faisal, *To Professor Muhammad Kurd Ali: The Aims of Orientalists*, *Al-Risala Magazine*, Issue 111, Year 3, 1935.
2-Mustafa al-Nashar, *The Concept of Religion and the Classification of Religions Between Scientific Analysis and Philosophical Perspectives*, *Al-Aqeeda Magazine*, Issue 15, Jumada al-Thani 1934 AH.
3-Hadi Duwaij al-Atabi, *The Role of Societal Culture in Change and Reform*, *Lark Journal for Philosophy, Linguistics, and Social Sciences*, Issue 30, 2018.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 الباحث مؤمن عمر علي، أ.م.د. هيثم محمد يسر
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
