Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938) conceived The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam at a time when the world was in speedy transition. It was literally being restructured in light of new ideas made available by modern scientific and philosophical knowledge. The religious experience was also at the crossroads of history. A good deal of believers were tiptoeing onto the roads to Agnosticism and Atheism. Iqbal was in the know of the currents of his times. Giving due importance to the Islamic philosophical traditions, he was able to reconstruct Islamic religious thought which was also in line with modern science and philosophy. It was a monumental feat indeed. Not only did it help the Muslim mind of the day but also set the direction for further enquiry into the field. Ever since, it has been a major influence on Islamic religious thought around the world.

About the Author

Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938), beloved poet of the modern state of Pakistan, was also one of the most important Muslim and Western religious philosophers of the 20th century.

Javed Majeed is Professor of English and Comparative Literature at King s College, London.