Classical Islamic Literature Can Guide Modern Scholars In Dealing With Contemporary Issues

By New Age Islam Correspondent 6 August 2025 Islam is not a religion of confusion or fuzzy spirituality. Islam is a holistic method of living based on revelations of God, revelations of prophets, and centuries of scholarship on the part of scholars. In an era of disinformation, dogma, and cultural fads, a return to original Islamic texts offers an unmistakable intellectual and moral compass. Major Points: 1. Classical Islamic writing provides guidance. They do not permit cherry-picking or reinterpretation in line with changing cultural trends. Instead, they require earnest reflection, respect, and a sense of duty. Although Islam has a dynamic moral and legal system, it is based on God's revelations and the Prophet's words—not fashionable ideas today. 2. Post-modern Islam is likely to deconstruct religious concepts such as halal and haram, gender roles, jihad, or shariah. It does so without acknowledging the centuries-old religious and legal debates that created these concepts. The danger is not only in oversimplifying, but also in altering, their meaning. 3. These works assist Muslims in knowing why various rules exist, why spiritual disciplines matter, and why Islam prefers clear morals. They also protect against the extremes, inform context-dependent changes, and provide a solid foundation for reform. 4. The solution to the dilemma of comprehending Islam in the present lies not in ignoring the past, but in taking it back with understanding. Studying the old texts does not mean avoiding the modern age—it means entering into it more abundantly, more prudently, and more truthfully. As the great scholar Ibn Khaldun once stated, "He who has no past has no future." Rediscovering the classical heritage could be the most vital thing that Muslims can do in the modern world. ------ In a world where quick answers and fast thinking are common in religious discourse, going back to Islamic classical works is more necessary than ever. Today, many Muslims around the world are looking for answers to their questions of faith, politics, and society. Many are looking for an understanding in a world that is confused by modern ideas, online information, and cultural differences. In finding understanding, a new problem has arisen: modern-day interpretations of Islam that have a tendency to weaken, alter, or distort the original teachings of the religion. In this regard, Islamic classical works—the writings of early scholars, judges, thinkers, and Sufi leaders—become permanent sources of reference. This article considers why it is essential to return to classic Islamic sources. It illustrates how these earliest works have clear theology and enable us to make sense of Islam in the modern world. We shall observe how these books can oppose extreme or erroneous concepts, aid equitable interpretations, and lead Muslims through troublesome contemporary issues. Discovering Islamic Sources of Knowledge The Islamic tradition is derived from two central sources: the Qur'an and the Hadith, the teachings and deeds of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. But because over 1400 years of Islamic history have passed, numerous writings have been created to expand on these sources. Such works are commentaries on the Qur'an (Tafsir), laws (Fiqh), beliefs (Kalam), morals (Akhlaq), spiritual practices (Tasawwuf), and philosophy (Falsafah). Scholars like Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi'i, Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Al-Ghazali, Ibn Taymiyyah, Al-Razi, Ibn Arabi, and others spent their lives systematizing Islamic knowledge. They did not write their books in isolation; they were responding to the social, political, and religious issues of their time. But they took their meanings from the Qur'an and Sunnah, and they were close to the words of the Prophet. These ancient works are not dusty and forgotten. They are working tools that enable us to grasp divine guidance in various circumstances. They demonstrate the consensus of numerous scholars across generations (ijma') and the labor of Islamic civilization. They also safeguard traditional beliefs and shield the community from extremist ideas. Classical Works and Post-modern Islam Some Muslim intellectuals in recent years have embraced liberal and modern concepts to transform the way we interpret Islam. These concepts tend to place personal liberty above God's laws, secular concepts above religious ones, and various perspectives above one absolute truth. Although these interpretations may be attractive to Western-educated individuals or to liberal activists, they tend to neglect the richness and significance of Islamic intellectual heritage. Post-modern Islam is likely to deconstruct religious concepts such as halal and haram, gender roles, jihad, or shariah. It does so without acknowledging the centuries-old religious and legal debates that created these concepts. The danger is not only in oversimplifying, but also in altering, their meaning. For example, to declare that jihad is merely an individual spiritual struggle (without acknowledging its legal and defensive character) may satisfy some secularists, but it does not convey the conventional complete meaning. Classical Islamic writing provides guidance. They do not permit cherry-picking or reinterpretation in line with changing cultural trends. Instead, they require earnest reflection, respect, and a sense of duty. Although Islam has a dynamic moral and legal system, it is based on God's revelations and the Prophet's words—not fashionable ideas today. Recent Issues, Ancient Roots Some will object: can a 12th-century book provide 21st-century answers to 21st-century questions? Yes and no. No, technically, since classical scholars didn't exactly debate internet ethics, artificial intelligence, or nuclear war, say. But yes—since the classical tradition offers principles, maxims (qawa'id fiqhiyyah), and modes of argument that enable scholars to answer new questions today. This is the strength of ijtihad-independent reasoning within the limits of tradition. Consider, for example, environmental ethics. Older legal scholars did not talk about carbon emissions, but they did talk about principles such as stewardship (khilafah), not causing harm (la darar), and being guardians of creation. Now, modern scholars can use these principles to promote environmental justice. Similarly, we must discuss gender identity, globalization, or bioethics employing the concepts of classical usul al-fiqh (the principles of law) and kalam (the study of faith). Without them, contemporary Muslims would be lost in a sea of confusing morals. Bringing the Skill of Contextualization Back There is a second compelling reason to learn classical texts because, in contrast to contemporary teachings, they are able to interpret Islamic teachings without distorting the essential ideas. The early philosophers were not word literalists. They understood that meanings could differ based on context, language, and circumstances. For example, Al-Ghazali referred to "the higher objectives of the Shariah" (maqasid al-shari'ah)—a phrase employed by judges to evaluate laws based on their purposes: protection of life, religion, intellect, family, and property. Contextualisation is not a matter of changing the religion to suit modern times. It is a matter of using the time-honoured values of the religion in new situations. The traditional scholars illustrated this again and again. Imam Shafi'i is renowned for changing some of his legal opinions after he moved from Iraq to Egypt, noting the difference in culture. This is an important lesson for modern scholars: change the form but not the substance. Modern scholars with a good classical background such as Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Said Ramadan al-Buti, Wahba al-Zuhayli, or Taha Jabir al-Alwani have proven that the classical methods can produce sound and realistic Islamic judgments for contemporary issues. Fighting Extremism and Ignorance The biggest danger to the Muslim world now is extremist thought—violent action or ultra-liberal thought. Both are usually the result of a lack of adequate Islamic knowledge. Groups like ISIS or Al-Qaeda take Quran verses and Hadiths out of context and do not understand them well, ignoring centuries of scholarly literature on war, justice, and ethics. Ultra-liberal reformers, conversely, dismiss traditional scholarship altogether and say Islam needs to be altered to catch up with Western thought. The solution is straightforward: we must return to classical education. Reading classical works in Arabic, with competent instructors, in schools, allows Muslims to discern between genuine teachings and spurious interpretations. Most importantly, classical education inculcates adab (manners) and humility—qualities that are generally lacking in contemporary ideological conflicts. Building a Future with History Others believe that overemphasizing ancient texts may make us obsolete or stuck in the past. Islamic history, however, has a different story to tell. Islamic civilization's Golden Age from the 8th to the 13th century was based on classical knowledge. Al-Azhar in Egypt, Al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco, and the Nizamiyyah in Baghdad were institutions that produced scholars who worked in the fields of science, philosophy, medicine, and law—all based on conventional knowledge. Returning today with this spirit is not merely a matter of reading ancient books. It is applying the modes of thought, the profound spirituality, and the real morals of the ancient works. It is preparing a new generation of scholars who are well-versed in classical Arabic and well-versed in the issues of today—who can make the wisdom of the ancients speak to the world today. This is already starting to occur to some extent in some parts of the Muslim world. Institutions such as Darul Qasim in the US, Cambridge Muslim College in the UK, and Zaytuna College in California are educating scholars who are bridging traditional concepts with contemporary ideas. Online materials and translations are also making ancient texts more accessible than ever. Conclusion: Classical Texts as a Compass in a Confused World Islam is not a religion of confusion or fuzzy spirituality. Islam is a holistic method of living based on revelations of God, revelations of prophets, and centuries of scholarship on the part of scholars. In an era of disinformation, dogma, and cultural fads, a return to original Islamic texts offers an unmistakable intellectual and moral compass. These works assist Muslims in knowing why various rules exist, why spiritual disciplines matter, and why Islam prefers clear morals. They also protect against the extremes, inform context-dependent changes, and provide a solid foundation for reform. The solution to the dilemma of comprehending Islam in the present lies not in ignoring the past, but in taking it back with understanding. Studying the old texts does not mean avoiding the modern age—it means entering into it more abundantly, more prudently, and more truthfully. As the great scholar Ibn Khaldun once stated, "He who has no past has no future." Rediscovering the classical heritage could be the most vital thing that Muslims can do in the modern world URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-society/classical-islamic-literature-scholars-contemporary/d/136417 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism