Reconstruction of Islamic Thought and Civilization

Abstract

This article reviews the intellectual manifestations of Islamic revivalist movements in general and the Islamization of Knowledge movement in particular. The paper argues that the intellectual crisis of the Muslim Ummah was identified by most of the earlier thinkers and leaders but it did not receive sufficient attention. It reviews the assessment of the intellectual crisis by Muslim thinkers, such as Iqbal and Mawdudi, and identifies their understanding of the need and nature of ijtihad. The paper then proceeds to reflect on the foundations and achievements of the Islamization of Knowledge movement. The paper explores the relationship between sociopolitical revival and intellectual revival and concludes that the reconstruction of Islamic thought is a prerequisite to the regeneration of Islamic civilization.