The views of scholars on the concept of renewal in Islam vary, but they revolve around reviving the principles revealed by this noble religion in the various aspects of human life. Among the most important areas that renewal encompasses are the following:

1. Preserving the Original Texts of the Religion Pure and Authentic:

If renewal means reviving the principles of the religion, then the religion is based on the original texts that Allah revealed in His Book or that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) explained in his Sunnah. No religion can survive without preserving its texts. Previous religions were distorted, and their followers deviated from the straight path due to the loss of their foundational texts and the failure of their followers to preserve and verify them.

In Islam, it is evident that Allah has taken it upon Himself to preserve it. Allah says, “Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an and indeed, We will be its guardian.” (Al-Hijr: 9) The preservation of the Qur'an necessitates the preservation of the Sunnah because it explains the Qur'an. Allah says, “And We revealed to you the message that you may make clear to the people what was sent down to them and that they might give thought.” (An-Nahl: 44)

Although the original texts of Islam, the Qur'an and Sunnah, are preserved by Allah, this preservation is realized through the efforts and sacrifices of devout scholars. This has indeed happened, as the Qur'an has received meticulous care from Muslims, both in written form and through memorization. Similarly, the Sunnah has been accurately and faithfully transmitted by successive generations of scholars, who have defended it against the schemes of every era and place.

2. Conveying the Correct Meanings of the Texts and Reviving the Proper Understanding of Them:

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) explained the meanings of the Qur'an to his Ummah completely and satisfactory. The Companions received the meanings of the Qur'an from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) just as they received its words. This applies to the hadith as well, as the words are meant to convey meanings. It is impossible that Allah and His Messenger would have addressed the people with something they do not understand. Therefore, understanding the Qur'an and Sunnah according to the understanding of the Companions and receiving the meanings of the texts from them is essential. The language of the revelation was their daily language, and they witnessed the circumstances of its revelation and eagerly applied it. Their understanding of the texts, therefore, becomes an integral part of the religion, and disregarding their understanding equates to following a path other than that of the believers. ⁽¹⁾

If the texts are left to people's own interpretations and intellects, it is likely that the forms of the religion will vary due to the differences in minds and understandings, influenced by factors such as time, place, environment, culture, desires, and inclinations. Efforts to distort the texts of the Qur'an and Sunnah have failed, but some malicious individuals have succeeded in misinterpreting the meanings of the texts and diverting them from their true indications through various forms of interpretation and alteration. ⁽²⁾ Therefore, reviving the methodology of the Companions and those who followed them in understanding and applying Islam, and diligently documenting what has been transmitted from them in this regard, is one of the most important areas of renewal.

3. Ijtihad in New Issues and Finding Solutions for Them:

If Islam is Allah's eternal religion until the Day of Judgment, encompassing all times, places, and people, and its texts are limited while events and new issues are numerous, then the necessity of opening the door of ijtihad (independent reasoning) becomes apparent. This is to apply the limited texts to the numerous events and find appropriate Islamic solutions to emerging problems. Otherwise, people would face hardship and difficulty due to their distance from the rulings of their Lord, and the enemies of the religion, with their malicious intentions and ill-willed souls, would have grounds to accuse Islam of rigidity, backwardness, and unsuitability for all times and places.

4. Correcting Deviations:

Deviation from the religion manifests in two forms: first, deviation in concepts and values; second, deviation in behavior and actions. The first form of deviation means the emergence of beliefs and concepts about the religion that are contrary to the truth revealed by Allah. The second form means maintaining correct beliefs, but the behavior and actions contradict the beliefs and concepts.

Scholars describe the deviation in beliefs as the disease of doubt, and the deviation in behavior as the disease of desire. Ibn al-Qayyim says, “The heart is afflicted by two diseases that are deadly if they take hold of it: the disease of desires and the disease of doubts; these are the root of all human ailments except those whom Allah protects.” ⁽³⁾

5. Protecting the Religion, Defending It, and Striving in Its Cause:

Restoring the religion to its roots, safeguarding it from tampering and distortion, and protecting those who adhere to it and carry its banner require strength and firmness. The essence of the religion is a book for guidance and a sword for support, as Allah says, “We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidence and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is great military might and benefits for the people, and so that Allah may make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.” (Al-Hadid: 25)

6. Searching for Solutions to Revive the Forms of Civilizational Interaction for Muslims:

Achieving a prominent civilizational status among contemporary nations requires establishing forms of peaceful coexistence and activating civilizational communication with other nations, renewing the religious and political discourse directed at others, addressing environmental issues grounded in Islam, and highlighting and reviving the civilizational values of Islam. ⁽⁴⁾ Anyone who makes an effort in any of these fields has a share in renewal, and the greater the fields the renewer engages in, the higher his rank in renewal. The successful one is he whose renewal encompasses all fields.

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1. Ma Ana 'Alayh wa Ashabi by Ahmed Salam, p. 96.
2. Ma'ālim al-Hudá by Marwan al-Qaisi, p. 108.
3. Miftaah Dar as-Sa'aadah (1/ 305).
4. The Impact of Islamic Thought on the Civilizational Advancement of Muslims by Dr. Jaber Eid, p. 156.

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