Ten most influential modern Islamic intellectuals

Modern Muslim intellectualism in ten simple steps.

By Ian K Smith Published 10 February 2010

To accompany this week's special issue on Islam, we have selected the ten most influential Muslim intellectuals of the modern age. Reformers and radicals, each of them has sought to reinterpret Islam in his own time and place.

From the first wanderings of Jamal al-Din al-Afghani to the present work of Tariq Ramadan, these men -- and it is a tradition dominated by men -- have sought to address the challenges of colonialism and neocolonialism in Islamic societies, and of Islamic identity in western societies.

As this is a selection of just ten people from a period spanning over 150 years, there are omissions, but we believe that these intellectuals chart a course through modern Islamic thought.

Please leave your suggestions for who else should be on the list, and your comments on those we've included.

1. Jamal al-Din al-Afghani (d.1897)

2. Muhammad Abduh (d.1905)

3. Muhammad Rashid Rida (d.1935)

4. Muhammad Iqbal (d.1938)

5. Hassan al-Banna (d.1949)

6. Sayyid Qutb (d.1966)

7. Ali Shari'ati (d.1977)

8. Sayyid Abul-A'la Maududi (d.1979)

9. Ayatollah Khomeini (d.1989)

10. Tariq Ramadan (b.1962)

Special Offer: Get 12 issues of New Statesman magazine for just £12

Tags: Reforming Islam

4 comments

Sat, 2012-04-07 07:29 — Hameed Sherani (not verified)

Sayed Jamaludin afghan was not exiled from Iran and he did not belong to Persia. He belonged to the eastern kunar province of Afghanistan, was in shur bazar of kabul and left Afghanistan for his world tour. He worked mostly for pan Islamism than pan arabism. He was a moderate reformist of the governance system within the Islamic states.

Tue, 2010-07-06 20:22 — Hicham (not verified)

Hamza Yusuf belongs definetly to this list!!!

Sat, 2010-10-30 06:13 — Art K (not verified)

I would like the opportunity to sit at a table with any men that are willing to discuss Islam and its effects on the human mind in a free society such as America. Conflict of values versus the threads necessary for a sustainable world "with" Islamic values versus no values or humanistic perceptions of a utopia. It is time for people to hear healthy posturing from all sides. Tariq and Hamza I have heard and listened to quite intently. They have much to offer this world. I believe I can bring something to the table when discussing Islam even though I have not made a public statement.(b. 1954) Thank you.