Muslim Philosophers and Thinkers of the Modern Age

A Long List That Contains Mostly Turkish Philosophers

Photo by Vinicius "amnx" Amano on Unsplash

1. Muhammad Iqbal (1877–1938): Iqbal was a philosopher, poet, and politician from Pakistan. He is considered a major contributor to modern Islamic thought and is known for his emphasis on the importance of individual freedom and spiritual development.
2. Ali Shariati (1933–1977): Shariati was an Iranian philosopher and sociologist who combined Islamic and Marxist ideas to develop a new philosophy of social liberation. He is considered one of the most important thinkers of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.
3. Seyyed Hossein Nasr (born 1933): Nasr is an Iranian philosopher and theologian who has written extensively on Islamic philosophy, mysticism, and ecology. He is known for his advocacy of traditional Islamic values and his criticism of modern Western secularism.
4. Abdul Hamid Abu Sulayman (born 1936): Abu Sulayman is a Saudi Arabian philosopher and scholar who has written on topics such as Islamic political theory and Islamic finance. He is considered a leading authority on Islamic thought in the contemporary world.
5. Fazlur Rahman (1919–1988): Rahman was a Pakistani philosopher and scholar who taught at the University of Chicago. He is known for his work on the interpretation of the Quran and the integration of modern ideas into Islamic thought.
6. Tariq Ramadan (born 1962): Ramadan is a Swiss philosopher and scholar who has written on topics such as Islamic law, politics, and ethics. He is known for his advocacy of a progressive and liberal interpretation of Islam and has been a prominent critic of Islamic extremism.
7. Nasr Abu Zayd (1943–2010): Abu Zayd was an Egyptian philosopher and scholar who specialized in the study of the Quran. He is known for his controversial ideas about the interpretation of the Quran and was accused of apostasy by some conservative Islamic scholars.
8. Mohammed Arkoun (1928–2010): Arkoun was an Algerian philosopher and scholar who wrote extensively on Islamic philosophy, theology, and history. He is known for his critical approach to Islamic tradition and his advocacy of a more open and pluralistic interpretation of Islam.
9. Abdolkarim Soroush (born 1945): Soroush is an Iranian philosopher and scholar who has written on topics such as Islamic philosophy, ethics, and political theory. He is known for his critical approach to Islamic tradition and his advocacy of a more liberal and democratic interpretation of Islam.
10. Reza Aslan (born 1972): Aslan is an Iranian-American writer and scholar who has written on topics such as Islamic history, politics, and culture. He is known for his advocacy of a more tolerant and pluralistic interpretation of Islam and has been a prominent critic of Islamic extremism.
11. Seyyid Kutub (1906–1966): Seyyid Kutub was an Egyptian philosopher, author, and activist who is considered one of the most influential thinkers of the modern Islamic revival. He is known for his advocacy of Islamic reform and his critique of Western colonialism and imperialism. Kutub’s work includes books on topics such as Islam and the modern world, social justice, and the role of religion in politics. His ideas have had a significant impact on the development of Islamic thought and political activism in the Middle East and beyond.

Turkish Philosopher

1. Niyazi Berkes (1908–1988): Berkes was a Turkish philosopher and sociologist who specialized in the study of political and social philosophy. He is known for his influential work on the intersection of Islam and modernity, particularly in the context of Turkish society.
2. Cemil Meric (1916–1987): Meric was a Turkish philosopher and scholar who focused on the intersection of religion, culture, and politics in Turkish society. He is known for his contributions to the study of the Ottoman Empire and the impact of modernization on Turkish culture.
3. Recep Alpyagil (born 1948): Alpyagil is a Turkish philosopher and theologian who has written on topics such as Islamic philosophy, Sufism, and ethics. He is known for his advocacy of a humanistic and spiritual interpretation of Islam and has been a prominent critic of fundamentalism and extremism.
4. Ali Bulac (born 1951): Bulac is a Turkish philosopher and writer who has written on topics such as Islamic philosophy, literature, and culture. He is known for his advocacy of a modern and liberal interpretation of Islam and has been a vocal critic of Islamic extremism.
5. Hasan Hanafi (born 1936): Hanafi is an Egyptian-Turkish philosopher and scholar who has written on topics such as Islamic philosophy, politics, and ethics. He is known for his contributions to the study of Islamic thought in the modern world and has been a vocal critic of religious extremism and violence.
6. Ihsan Fazlioglu (born 1946): Fazlioglu is a Turkish philosopher and theologian who has written on topics such as Islamic philosophy, Sufism, and ethics. He is known for his advocacy of a modern and progressive interpretation of Islam and has been a vocal critic of extremism and fundamentalism.
7. Bediüzzaman Said Nursi (1878–1960): Nursi was a Kurdish-Turkish Islamic scholar and philosopher who wrote extensively on topics such as Islamic theology, Sufism, and ethics. He is known for his advocacy of a modern and progressive interpretation of Islam that emphasizes the importance of education and social justice.
8. Mehmet Ali Ayni (1878–1956): Ayni was a Turkish philosopher and intellectual who focused on the intersection of Islam and modernity in Turkish society. He is known for his contributions to the study of Islamic political philosophy and his advocacy of a modern and liberal interpretation of Islam.
9. M. Şemseddin Günaltay (1883–1961): Günaltay was a Turkish philosopher and writer who wrote on a wide range of topics, including history, literature, and religion. He is known for his advocacy of a modern and progressive interpretation of Islam and his efforts to promote cultural and social reform in Turkey.
10. Necip Fazıl Kısakürek (1904–1983): Kısakürek was a Turkish poet, novelist, and philosopher who wrote on a wide range of topics, including religion, politics, and culture. He is known for his advocacy of a conservative and traditionalist interpretation of Islam and his critique of modernity and secularism.
11. Turan Dursun (1934–1990): Dursun was a Turkish philosopher, author, and humanist who wrote on topics such as atheism, humanism, and religion. He is known for his advocacy of secularism, his critique of religious dogmatism, and his efforts to promote critical thinking and scientific inquiry in Turkish society.
12. Nurettin Topçu (1909–1975): Topçu was a Turkish philosopher and writer who focused on the intersection of religion, culture, and politics. He is known for his advocacy of a humanistic and spiritual interpretation of Islam and his critique of materialism and consumerism.
13. İbrahim Kalın (born 1971): Kalın is a Turkish philosopher, author, and advisor to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He has written on topics such as Islamic philosophy, theology, and politics and is known for his advocacy of a moderate and progressive interpretation of Islam.
14. İsmet Özel (born 1944): Özel is a Turkish poet, author, and philosopher who has written on topics such as religion, politics, and culture. He is known for his advocacy of a humanistic and progressive interpretation of Islam and his critique of authoritarianism and injustice.
15. Emre Kongar (born 1941): Kongar is a Turkish sociologist, writer, and philosopher who has written on topics such as democracy, human rights, and social justice. He is known for his advocacy of a liberal and progressive interpretation of Islam and his critique of authoritarianism and corruption.
16. Ayşe Saktanber (born 1951): Saktanber is a Turkish philosopher and scholar who has written on topics such as feminist theory, political philosophy, and social justice. She is known for her contributions to the study of gender and Islam and her advocacy of a humanistic and inclusive interpretation of Islam.
17. Ahmet Arslan (born 1954): Arslan is a Turkish philosopher and author who has written on topics such as Islamic philosophy, Sufism, and ethics. He is known for his advocacy of a modern and liberal interpretation of Islam and his critique of religious extremism and fundamentalism.
18. Mehmet Akif Okur (born 1954): Okur is a Turkish philosopher and scholar who has written on topics such as Islamic philosophy, politics, and culture. He is known for his contributions to the study of the role of Islam in the contemporary world and his advocacy of a modern and progressive interpretation of Islam.
19. İlhan Kutluer (born 1953): Kutluer is a Turkish philosopher and writer who has written on topics such as religion, culture, and politics. He is known for his advocacy of a humanistic and spiritual interpretation of Islam and his critique of authoritarianism and intolerance.
20. Halil İnalcık (1916–2016): İnalcık was a Turkish historian and philosopher who focused on the study of the Ottoman Empire and Islamic civilization. He is known for his contributions to the field of Ottoman studies and his efforts to promote intercultural dialogue and understanding.
21. Bülent Şık (born 1969): Şık is a Turkish environmental scientist and philosopher who has written on topics such as environmental ethics, sustainability, and social justice. He is known for his advocacy of a holistic and humanistic approach to environmental issues and his critique of corporate greed and consumerism.
22. Namık Kemal (1840–1888): Namık Kemal was a prominent Turkish playwright, journalist, and philosopher who played an important role in the intellectual and cultural life of the Ottoman Empire. He is known for his contributions to the field of Turkish literature and his advocacy of social and political reform. Kemal wrote on a wide range of topics, including democracy, human rights, and the role of Islam in Turkish society. His work played a significant role in shaping the intellectual and cultural landscape of modern Turkey.
23. Sezai Karakoç (1933–2019): Sezai Karakoç was a Turkish poet, philosopher, and politician who focused on the intersection of religion, culture, and politics. He is known for his advocacy of a humanistic and spiritual interpretation of Islam and his critique of materialism and consumerism. Karakoç’s work includes poetry, essays, and political writings that emphasize the importance of moral values, social justice, and cultural identity.

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