New book by Masooda Bano explores revival of Islamic rationalism
A new book by Professor Masooda Bano presents an in-depth analysis of a new movement that is transforming the way that young Muslims engage with their religion – a revival of Islamic rationalism.
Bano explains how, during the period of colonial rule, the exit of Muslim elites from madrasas, the Islamic scholarly establishments, resulted in a stagnation of Islamic scholarship. This trend is now being reversed.
Exploring the threefold focus on logic, metaphysics, and deep mysticism, Bano shows how Islamic rationalism is consistent with Sunni orthodoxy and why it is so popular among young, elite, educated Muslims, who are now engaging with classical Islamic texts.
One of the most tangible results of this revival is that Islamic rationalism – rather than jihadism – is emerging as one of the most influential movements in the contemporary Muslim world.
Masooda Bano (2019) The Revival of Islamic Rationalism: Logic, Metaphysics and Mysticism in Modern Muslim Societies, Cambridge University Press