Abstract
Fazlur Rahman is one of the modern Muslim thinkers who plays an important role in the reconstruction of Islamic thought, especially in responding to the challenges of modernity. He argues that Islam is not a static teaching, but rather a dynamic value system that must always develop in accordance with the changing times. One of Rahman's main criticisms of the Islamic world is the tendency to understand the Qur'an and Sunnah literally without considering their historical and social context. He offers a double movement methodology, an approach that traces the original meaning of the text in its historical context, then applies it to modern conditions. This approach allows Islam to remain relevant without losing its essence. In addition to the interpretation methodology, Rahman also contributed to the reform of Islamic education, the integration of science with religion, and the reconstruction of Islamic law based on the principle of maqasid al-shariah. He emphasized the importance of reopening the door of ijtihad so that Muslims do not get caught up in taqlid, namely the attitude of accepting Islamic law dogmatically without critical evaluation. Rahman also criticized Islamic fundamentalism which tends to reject modernity absolutely, as well as radical secularism which seeks to eliminate the spiritual aspect of human life. According to him, Muslims must be able to adopt the positive aspects of modernity, such as the development of science and technology, without sacrificing Islamic values. With a more rational and contextual approach, Rahman provides a foundation for Islamic renewal that is not only based on tradition, but also open to the development of the times. His thoughts offer solutions to various global challenges faced by Muslims, including in legal, social, and economic aspects. Thus, modernity is not a threat to Islam, but rather an opportunity to strengthen Islamic values in the lives of contemporary society.
