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Abd al-Rahman al-Kawakibi
'Abd al-Rahman al-Kawakibi's statue in Syria.
Rashid Reda with Mustafa al-Maraghi
Rashid Reda and Mustafa al-Maraghi, along with other scholars.

A Mujaddid (Arabic: مجدد) in Islam is like a special reformer. Their job is to fix mistakes that have happened among Muslims. They help people understand important religious truths. Many Muslims believe a Mujaddid appears at the start of every new century in the Islamic calendar. Their goal is to bring Islam back to its original, pure form. Today, a Mujaddid is often seen as the most important Muslim of their century.

Some experts on hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad) have different ideas. Scholars like Al-Dhahabi and Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani think that "Mujaddid" can also mean a group of people, not just one person.

The Arabic word mujaddid means "reformer" or "renewer." It describes someone who brings new life and change to the religion. The idea of tajdid (renewal) and the term mujaddid come from a hadith. This is a saying of the Prophet Muhammad. It was written down by Abu Dawud in his Sunan, which is an important collection of the Prophet's sayings for Sunni Muslims. In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad says:

"Allah will raise for this community at the end of every hundred years the one who will renovate its religion for it."

Mujaddids can be important scholars, fair rulers, or even military leaders.

What is Tajdid in Islam?

Tajdid (renewal) in Islamic thought means making Islamic ideas fresh again. This includes new ways of thinking in science and knowledge. It also means finding new ways to understand and explain Islamic rules.

Al-Suyuti, a scholar, explained that renewing religion means making its guidance clear again. It means showing its truth and importance. It also means correcting new ideas or extreme views that might appear. It helps people follow Islam's rules to manage society and daily life.

Some of the main ways tajdid (renewal) happens in Islamic thought include renewing Islamic sciences. These sciences are:

  • The study of Islamic beliefs.
  • The rules for understanding Islamic law.
  • The study of Islamic law itself.
  • The study of the Prophet's traditions (Sunnah).
  • The study of explaining the Qur'an (tafsir).
  • The study of inner purity and good behavior (Sufism).
  • The life story of the Prophet and Islamic history.

Important Reformers in Islam

There is no official way to choose a Mujaddid. The people on this list are believed by many to be Mujaddids.

Rulers and leaders like Saladin, Tamerlane, Shah Rukh, Mehmet II, Selim I, Suleiman, Aurangzeb and Tipu Sultan were often called mujaddids. This was because of their important roles in Political Islam.
تخطيط كلمة ابن تيمية
Ibn Taymiyyah (1263–1328) was a Mujaddid of the 7th century. He was known for his religious teachings and leadership.
Abul ala maududi
Abul A'la Maududi, one of the Mujaddids of the last century.

In Sunni Islam, there is no formal way to name a mujaddid. However, people often agree on who they are. The Shia and Ahmadiyya groups have their own lists of Mujaddids.

First Century (after the Prophet)

Second Century

Third Century

Fourth Century

  • Abu Bakr Al-Baqillani (950–1013)
  • Hakim al-Nishaburi (933–1012)

Fifth Century

Sixth Century

Seventh Century

Eighth Century

Ninth Century

Tenth Century

Eleventh Century

Twelfth Century

Thirteenth Century

Fourteenth Century

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