Progressive Islam Amidst the Currents of Modernization: a Critical Study of Fazlur Rahman’s Thought

Abstract

Modernization has posed serious challenges to the continuity of religious values, including Islam, in responding to contemporary social and intellectual dynamics. One prominent figure who addressed these challenges constructively is Fazlur Rahman, a modernist Muslim thinker who offered a hermeneutical approach to Islamic texts. This article aims to critically examine Fazlur Rahman’s thought within the framework of progressive Islam amidst the global tide of modernization. Using a qualitative approach through literature review and content analysis, this study reveals the relevance and significance of Rahman’s ideas in constructing a dynamic and contextual Islamic paradigm. The findings show that Rahman's emphasis on the double movement hermeneutics, the distinction between the Qur’an’s moral essence and its historical context, as well as the necessity for the reconstruction of Islamic thought based on ethics and rationality, effectively addresses the challenges faced by modern Muslim societies without detaching from traditional roots. These findings reinforce the argument that progressive Islam is not a form of Westernization, but rather a creative effort to preserve the essence of Islam within the framework of progress. Consequently, Fazlur Rahman’s thought can serve as both a theoretical foundation and practical guide for the Muslim generation in building a civilization deeply rooted in spiritual values, yet open to the transformations of the modern age.