A Comparative Examination of the Characteristics of Traditional Islam and Religious Intellectualism

Articles in Press

Document Type : Scholary

Authors

1 Molavi St, Pardisan

2 Women and Family Studies Research Center, University of Religions and Denominations

3 Faculty of Islamic Nations Studies, University of Religions and Denominations

Abstract

This article offers a comparative analysis of two major intellectual currents in the contemporary Islamic world: Traditional Islam and Religious Intellectualism (or Reformist Islam). Using a descriptive-analytical and documentary approach, it contrasts their central features. Traditional Islam emphasizes preserving classical heritage (Naqli sciences), textualism, and a conservative stance resistant to epistemological and social change, prioritizing continuity of historical scholarship. In contrast, Religious Intellectualism highlights rationality, contemporary reinterpretation (ijtihad) of texts, and engagement with modern thought to build a theology responsive to present realities. Their main divergences concern reason (‘aql), the authority of tradition (Sunnah), and modernity. Understanding this duality is vital to interpret socio-political and cultural transformations in Muslim societies, from reformist movements to ideological tensions. The article contends that the future of Islamic thought depends on fostering constructive dialogue and dynamic ijtihad capable of bridging this divide. While their epistemologies differ profoundly, progress lies in transcending rigid polarities toward a synthesis that honors textual authenticity yet adopts rational, contextually grounded hermeneutics to address the complex challenges of the modern age.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Classical and Contemporary Islamic Studies

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 21 February 2026

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