The Revival of Islamic Rationalism

In this book, Masooda Bano presents an in-depth analysis of a new movement that is transforming the way that young Muslims engage with their religion. Led by a network of Islamic scholars in the West, this movement seeks to revive the tradition 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.

• Records the revival of Islamic rationalism among second and third generation Muslims in the West challenging existing concerns about Muslims' lack of integration
• Traces a network of rationalist scholars, mostly converts, who, while gaining attention, have not been studied as a network
• Exposes the changing dynamics of Islamic authority whereby Muslim communities in the West are producing knowledge and networks that are influencing modern educated Muslims in Muslim majority-countries