What is it about?
This study explores how the Egyptian scholar Muḥammad ʿAbduh (1849–1905) placed reason (ʿaql) at the heart of his interpretation of Islamic teachings. It analyzes his theological positions in Risālat al-Tawḥīd and his legal views on marriage, polygamy, and divorce. The central focus is on how ʿAbduh’s rationalist and ethical approach shaped his reformist vision of Islamic law (fiqh), particularly through his use of public interest (maṣlaḥah) as a legal principle.
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Why is it important?
Muḥammad ʿAbduh was one of the most influential Muslim reformers of the modern period. His belief that reason and revelation are not in conflict—but can work together to serve justice and human dignity—is especially relevant today. In a time of social and religious challenges, ʿAbduh’s approach offers a thoughtful model for rethinking Islamic legal theory in ways that promote freedom, equality, and moral responsibility.
Perspectives
n my research, I argue that ʿAbduh should not be seen merely as a bridge between classical schools of thought, but as a bold thinker in his own right. What stood out to me was his deep commitment to integrating reason, ethics, and real-life social concerns. Even when challenging traditional views, he remained grounded in Islamic principles. His work, in my view, remains a powerful example of the potential for authentic and meaningful reform within the Islamic intellectual tradition.
Dr. Mohammed Abdelrahem
Universitat Paderborn
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Impact of Theological Attitudes on Legal Thinking: Reason and Maṣlaḥa in the Legal Thought of Muḥammad ʿAbduh (d. 1323/1905), September 2025, De Gruyter,
DOI: 10.1163/9789004746886_007.
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