Islamic Civilization in the Face of Modernity: the Case of Jamal Al-Din Al-Afghani and Muhammad Abduh
Dr. Abba Idris Adam

Abstract
From the beginning of the 19th century, a large number of the Muslim World lost their cultural and political sovereignty to European powers. In reaction to this domination, several responses were recorded, but the major response to Western occupation was Islamic Modernism. Islamic Modernism is the intellectual response to religious and cultural challenges in an attempt to reach a medium between adaptation and rejection of the Western technological advancement. Jamal al-Din al-Afghani (1838-1897) and his disciple Muhammad Abduh (1849-1905) were the pioneers of Islamic Modernism. They both believed that Islam is compatible with science and reason and that in order to save Islamic civilization from declining Muslim World must abandon dogmatism and embrace progress. This paper discusses the role of Jamal al-Din al-Afghani and Muhammad Abduh in defense of Islamic civilization against the Western colonial powers. It focuses on their thoughts with regard to the concept Taqlid, Shura and political reform. It analyzes their impact in preserving Islamic civilization in the 19thand 20th centuries.

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