Rereading and interpreting the ideas of leading Muslim thinkers
somaye borzoo Isfahahni; roohullah shahidi; Ali Rad
Abstract
Sayyid Jamal al-Din al-Asadabadi was a prominent intellectual of the modern era, active during a period marked by foreign domination over Islamic lands and widespread socio-political upheaval among Muslim societies. His approach to Qur’anic interpretation signaled the emergence of a socio-reformist ...
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Sayyid Jamal al-Din al-Asadabadi was a prominent intellectual of the modern era, active during a period marked by foreign domination over Islamic lands and widespread socio-political upheaval among Muslim societies. His approach to Qur’anic interpretation signaled the emergence of a socio-reformist paradigm—commonly described as contemporary, guidance-oriented, and educational in nature—which significantly influenced subsequent exegetes. This study aims to extract and analyze Qur’anic references and insights within Sayyid Jamal’s writings to reconstruct his vision of Qur’anic thought concerning the foundations of civilizational progress and the attributes of a reformed Ummah. Employing an analytical-descriptive methodology, the research demonstrates that Sayyid Jamal viewed the early Islamic Ummah as a model of spiritual and social excellence. He endeavored to revive this ideal by reinterpreting Qur’anic verses and identifying the key drivers of national advancement. The study ultimately proposes fifteen principles for achieving an ideal Ummah, classified into theoretical and practical dimensions. Central to Sayyid Jamal’s thought is the pivotal role of Qur’anic scholars and exegetes, who, beyond intellectual and theoretical competence, are called to active societal engagement. These scholars must first comprehend the pressing challenges facing their communities and then strive to address them across political, educational, and social arenas.
