Iqbal's "Reconstruction of Islamic Thought" is about reforming or reconstructing Sharia Law [what do you think 'reconstruction' means?] in light of the modern world. He appreciates that the Turks are the first to take on this project of reforming Islamic though and thinks rest of the Muslims will also have to do the same.
His work is too long for me to paste here. I have already given you link to it. How you comment on it when you have not even read it? Be that as it may I have taken extracts which I want you to comment on. You of course are welcome to read his entire work but in case you don;t have time right now I have posted the extracts in post #17. Again I paste them below and your thoughts appreciated. Forget what I think. What do you think of what Iqbal is saying in his "Reconstruction" with extracts below.
Passing on to Turkey, we find that the idea of Ijtihād, reinforced and broadened by modern philosophical ideas, has long been working in the religious and political thought of the Turkish nation.
You will see that following a line of thought more in tune with the spirit of Islam, he reaches practically the same conclusion as the Nationalist Party, that is to say, the freedom of Ijtihād with a view to rebuild the laws of Sharī‘ah in the light of modern thought and experience.
[If Iqbal said this today in Pakistan he would be lynched]
The question which confronts him today, and which is likely to confront other Muslim countries in the near future is whether the Law of Islam is capable of evolution– a question which will require great intellectual effort, and is sure to be answered in the affirmative, provided the world of Islam approaches it in the spirit of ‘Umar– the first critical and independent mind in Islam who, at the last moments of the Prophet, had the moral courage to utter these remarkable words: “The Book of God is sufficient for us.
[Iqbal is writing this in
1930 with referance to Turkey which was going through Kemal's secular reforms]
The truth is that among the Muslim nations of today, Turkey alone has shaken off its dogmatic slumber, and attained to self-consciousness. She alone has claimed her right of intellectual freedom; she alone has passed from the ideal to the real– a transition which entails keen intellectual and moral struggle
[Iqbal clearly is impressed by the Turkish nationalists reforms under Kemal Ataturk - note this is 1930]
The closing of the door of Ijtihād is pure fiction suggested partly by the crystallization of legal thought in Islam, and partly by that intellectual laziness which, especially in the period of spiritual decay, turns great thinkers into idols.
[Again Iqbal today would get lynched for saying this. A mullah crazed mob would tear him apart]
Ps. Instead of puffing about Iqbal people do please take the darned time to read his work which is available online here > http://www.allamaiqbal.com/works/prose/english/reconstruction/
I have posted relevant extracts above from the said work by Sir Allama Iqbal. I would suggest people read his work before commenting.
