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Muhammad AbduhAn Egyptian public and religious figure, a liberal reformer, considered the founder of Islamic modernism.
Date of Birth: 01.01.1849
Country:  Egypt |
Content:
- Muhammad Abduh: Pioneer of Islamic Modernism
- Academic Career and Social Activism
- Return to Egypt and Public Service
- Religious Reforms and Interpretation
- Ideology of Modernization
- Legacy
Muhammad Abduh: Pioneer of Islamic Modernism
Early Life and EducationMuhammad Abduh was born into a modest Egyptian family in 1849. His early education included literacy and Quranic recitation. At age 13, he attended a prestigious school but eventually left to marry. In 1866, he entered Cairo's renowned Al-Azhar University, where his mentor was Jamal al-Din al-Afghani, a renowned philosopher and pan-Islamicist.
Academic Career and Social Activism
After graduating, Abduh taught logic and theology at Al-Azhar, also holding professorship at Dar al-Ulum and editing a newspaper. His support for Urabi Pasha's revolt in 1882 led to his six-year exile, during which he resided in Lebanon, France, and Britain, where he continued his activism and published an anti-British journal.
Return to Egypt and Public Service
In 1888, Abduh returned to Egypt, pursuing a career in law and becoming a judge. In 1899, he was appointed the country's mufti. During this period, he founded a religious society, presided over the revival of Arabic sciences, and proposed reforms to enhance Al-Azhar's curriculum.
Religious Reforms and Interpretation
Abduh strongly opposed Sufism, recognizing its potential for moral development but criticizing its practices. As head of the Egyptian Press Department, he banned Ibn al-Arabi's "Meccan Revelations," condemning saint worship and miracles as fraudulent.
Ideology of Modernization
Abduh advocated for the modernization of Muslim society. His fatwas allowed interest payments (prohibited in traditional Islam), addressed family and marriage issues, and promoted women's rights. His influential Quranic commentary, "Tafsir al-Manar," emphasized the need for contextualized interpretations to adapt to each era's needs.
Legacy
Muhammad Abduh passed away in 1905. His groundbreaking contributions to Islamic thought and practice established him as the founder of Islamic modernism, leaving a profound impact on the Muslim world's intellectual and social landscape.
