Author: Obaidullah Nimruzi
Philosopher of Afghanistan; Sayyed Jamal al-din Afghan (Part 24)
Intellectual Stagnation and the Obstruction of Reform:
Nonetheless, the dogmatists and those who perpetually perceive religion as being in conflict with science and empirical realities have consistently branded free thinkers, reformists, and mujtahids with accusations of heresy and atheism.
Conclusion:
The reformist and modernist thought of Sayyed Jamal al-din Afghani stands as one of the most influential intellectual movements in the contemporary Islamic world. He was not only a thinker and theorist but also a social reformer and political activist who played a fundamental role in reviving Islamic thought and resisting despotism and colonialism. His ideas, even after more than a century, continue to inspire numerous reform movements across the Islamic world. In this conclusion, we delve deeper into the intellectual, social, and political dimensions of his thought, its impact on reform movements, and the criticisms directed at his views.
Religious Reform and the Return to the Authentic Foundations of Islam:
One of Sayyed Jamal al-din’s core beliefs was the necessity of returning to a correct understanding of Islam. He held that, due to centuries of blind imitation and intellectual stagnation, Islam had strayed from its authentic path. To address this situation, he proposed a comprehensive solution based on the following principles:
Reinterpreting Religious Texts:
Sayyed Jamal al-din believed that the Noble Qur’an was revealed for contemplation and reflection, not for superficial and unthinking recitation. Therefore, one of his primary reformist goals was to correct the methods of interpreting religious texts. He insisted that the Qur’an must be interpreted rationally and in light of contemporary circumstances, not merely through the uncritical adoption of earlier scholars’ opinions.
Opposition to Blind Imitation:
In his view, one of the greatest obstacles to intellectual progress in Islamic societies was the unquestioning imitation of past views. He considered such imitation a hindrance to the intellectual growth of Muslims and an obstacle to dynamic ijtihad. From his perspective, imitation caused Muslims to lose their capacity for independent reasoning, rendering them passive and powerless in the face of modern challenges.
Revival of Ijtihad and Emphasis on Rationality:
He viewed ijtihad as a means to renew religious understanding and address the evolving needs of Islamic societies. Sayyed Jamal al-din believed that if Muslims engaged in sound ijtihad grounded in the Qur’an and Sunnah, they could resolve their social, political, and economic problems within an Islamic framework. He also held that ijtihad was not just the duty of religious scholars but the responsibility of any knowledgeable Muslim.
Modernization and Scientific Progress as the Path to Salvation:
Sayyed Jamal al-din was among the first thinkers to recognize a complementary and synergistic relationship between religion and science. In contrast to traditional scholars who confined knowledge to religious sciences, he stressed the necessity of advancing empirical and rational sciences as well.
Religion and Science: Two Pillars of Islamic Civilization:
He believed that the flourishing of Islamic civilization in the past was a result of the dynamic interaction between religion and science. He urged Muslims to pay attention not only to religious teachings but also to the natural sciences, philosophy, and technology. He argued that, in the modern era, without science and technology, Muslims would not be able to maintain their independence.
Critique of Ignorance and Superstition:
One of the causes of the decline of Islamic societies, in his view, was the spread of superstition and irrational beliefs. Sayyed Jamal al-din believed that many of the widespread beliefs among Muslims stemmed from religious misinterpretations and must be corrected through proper education.
Resistance to Despotism and Colonialism: Realizing Freedom and Justice:
Sayyed Jamal al-din was not only a religious reformer but also a prominent figure in the struggle against domestic despotism and foreign colonialism. He believed that Muslims could not progress as long as they were subject to tyrannical rulers and colonial powers.
Critique of Domestic Despotism:
He regarded despotic governments as one of the main reasons for Muslim backwardness. He believed that tyrannical rulers suppressed intellectual freedom and prevented public participation in politics, thereby hindering the intellectual and social development of the Islamic ummah.
Resistance to Foreign Colonialism:
Sayyed Jamal al-din was among the first thinkers to recognize the threat of Western colonialism to the Islamic world. He called upon Muslims to awaken to the colonialists’ influence and strive for political and economic independence. He also stressed that colonialism would only succeed if Muslims remained intellectually and culturally weak.
Reform and Modernization: A Perpetual Necessity in Islam
Despite all criticisms, the ideas of Sayyed Jamal al-din Afghani continue to serve as one of the foundational bases for reform in the Islamic world. By emphasizing rationality, ijtihad, opposition to tyranny, and scientific development, he charted a path that still resonates today.
Reform in Islam is not a temporary need but a permanent necessity. In order to preserve their identity while advancing in science and society, Muslims must continually reexamine and renew their approach to various issues within the framework of Shariah. Sayyed Jamal al-din Afghani was the flag-bearer of this vision in the modern era, and his ideas remain a source of inspiration for many intellectual and reformist movements in the Islamic world.
Continues…
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