Abdelwahab Elmessiri’s Islamic humanism

Abstract

Abdelwahab Elmessiri’s intellectual journey narrates the story of modern ideologies that have led to the marginalization of divine revelation, giving rise to materialistic worldviews that promise their adherents progress, happiness, and freedom. Elmessiri, however, introduced a critical sociology that underlines the dark side of modernity, stressing that modernity has transformed humankind into a bundle of biological functions, economic needs, contractual relationships, instincts, and sexual drives. The end of utopian ideologies and the rise of globalization have radicalized the situation, which Elmessiri refers to as ‘comprehensive secularism.’ Against this background, Elmessiri experienced many moments of illumination, culminating in his advocacy of an ‘Islamic humanism’ that sees human life as complex phenomenon permeated with secrets, dualities, and diversities. This review, however, argues that Elmessiri’s Islamic humanism is ironically based on humanist Marxism and Western critical sociology.