Muhammad Abduh

Muhammad Abduh (1849-1905) was an influential Egyptian Islamic scholar and reformer. He sought to modernize Islamic thought and revive its relevance in the modern world. Abduh emphasized rationality and the importance of ijtihad, or independent reasoning, in interpretation of Islamic texts. He criticized blind adherence to tradition and aimed to reconcile Islam with science and modernity. Abduh also played a key role in promoting educational reform and was involved in the establishment of Al-Azhar University’s modern curriculum. His ideas influenced Islamic reform movements across the Arab world, advocating for social justice and education as a means of empowerment.