Sheikh Muhammad Abduh

A pioneering Egyptian Islamic reformist who modernized religious thought and education in the 19th century

Sheikh Muhammad Abduh (1849-1905) was an Egyptian Islamic scholar and reformer who profoundly impacted religious and educational systems across the Arab world. Born in the Nile Delta town of Kafr El-Wehda, he initially studied traditional Islamic sciences but later embraced modern philosophy and science during his exile in Algeria and France. His seminal work The Theology of Unity argued for rational interpretation of the Quran, rejecting literalism to align Islamic principles with modernity. He became Grand Mufti of Egypt in 1899, reforming education by establishing the Cairo University and promoting coeducational secular schools. Abduh's ideas influenced movements from Turkey's secular reforms to India's Aligarh Movement, making him a cornerstone of Islamic modernism. His advocacy for women's rights and scientific inquiry remains a reference in contemporary debates about religion and progress.