International Journal of Islamic Khazanah
Vol. 13 No. 2 (2023): IJIK

Lessons from the Protestant Reformation for Today’s Islamic World

Hussein Solomon (Centre for Gender and Africa Studies at the University of the Free State)
Rene de Klerk (Department of Political Studies and Governance, University of the Free State)



Article Info

Publish Date
15 May 2023

Abstract

The Islamic world today faces multiple challenges, including political stagnation, religious authoritarianism, and societal inertia. Drawing on a historical-comparative approach, this article explores the Protestant Reformation as a case study to examine how religious renewal can emerge from within a faith tradition. The study employs a historical-analytical method, drawing parallels between key developments in the Reformation and current conditions in the Muslim world. By analyzing historical parallels, the authors argue that Islamic societies can benefit from lessons learned during the Reformation, particularly regarding the decentralization of religious authority, promotion of literacy, and critical engagement with sacred texts. The study finds that while the contexts differ, the need for internal reform and revival is shared. The article concludes that meaningful Islamic reform must originate from within Muslim societies and cannot be imposed externally. This analysis contributes to contemporary Islamic thought by encouraging critical reflection on religious tradition in light of historical experience, thus fostering a deeper understanding of reform in the modern Islamic context.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ijik

Publisher

Subject

Religion Humanities Education Social Sciences Other

Description

IJIK (International Journal of Islamic Khazanah) is an international, peer-reviewed, and open-access journal that publishes original research and critical reviews in the field of Islamic studies. The journal aims to foster scholarly dialogue across cultures by welcoming high-quality contributions ...