RECONSTRUCTION OF MUHAMMAD IQBAL'S ISLAMIC THOUGHT: A PILLAR OF MODERN ISLAMIC THINKING

Abstract

Muhammad Iqbal emerged during a period of intellectual stagnation in the Muslim world in the early 20th century, introducing a fresh and visionary idea: the reconstruction of religious thought. In his seminal work, The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam, Iqbal proposed a way out of this stagnation by revitalizing the Islamic intellectual heritage while engaging in a critical dialogue with modernity. This study aims to examine the key concepts of Iqbal's project, including his critique of Greek philosophy, his dynamic view of ijtihad (legal reasoning), his theory of the "Khudi" (Self), his dynamic concept of God and the universe, and his vision of spiritual democracy. Using a qualitative approach with philosophical-hermeneutic analysis, this research concludes that while Iqbal's thought has been widely appreciated as a revitalizing force for Islamic intellectualism, it has also faced criticism concerning its practical implementation and philosophical consistency. The study finds that Iqbal's ideas remain profoundly relevant today, particularly in navigating the challenges of modernity without sacrificing Islamic identity.