“In Search of a Modern Muslim: The Life and Works of Sayyid Ahmad Khan,” by Raza Ahmad Rumi, CMS Seminar Series

Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan (1817-1898) was a major Muslim figure in nineteenth century colonial India whose critical work on religion, education, archaeology and science influenced generations. While his work is viewed as an effort to bring Muslims out of their isolation, seek modern western education, his writings addressed key issues of faith, identity and knowledge. In a speech delivered in 1884, Khan said, "Today we are, as before, in need of modern 'ilm-al-kalam', by which we should either refute the doctrines of the modern sciences or undermine their foundations, or show that they are in conformity with the articles of Islamic faith.” My talk will focus on Khan’s calls for only ijtehad (re-interpretation) and seeking a new conceptual framework to review the Sharia. His work remains relevant in the 21^st century for not just South Asian Muslims but for the Muslim world at large.