In this set of three powerful essays, the late, world-renowned scholar and philosopher Isma'il Al Faruqi displays his formidable insight, vast knowledge, and unique trademark logic, brought to bear on subjects still considered to be at the forefront of discourse on comparative religion. Al Faruqi delves deep into the heart of the debate on the metaphysical nature of values in the Western and Muslim traditions, the history of religions, and other issues, ultimately to guide readers to a clarity of understanding on Islam's position in relation to them. This will interest and stimulate many readers, enlightened thinkers, modern secularists, philosophers, and theologians—Muslim or otherwise—as Al Faruqi strives to arrive at an accurate assessment of the fundamentals of these important subjects and their significance for the human condition.

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The history of Islamic thought is marked by a continuous tradition of internal revitalization and reform embedded in the principles of islah and tajdid. The ultimate purpose has been to bring existing realities and social change in line with the transcendent and universal standard of the Quran and Sunnah through a process of restoration and reform. The tradition of islah and tajdid has thus consistently challenged the Muslim status quo and prompted fresh interpretation of the Quran and Sunnah, understood and implemented through the methodologies of interpretation and ijtihad, as well as the rejection of unwarranted accretions to the original messages of Islam. The basic theme of the paper is that civilizational renewal is an integral part of Islamic thought. The paper looks into the meaning, definition, and origins of tajdid and islah and their relationship with ijtihad, and how these have been manifested in the writings and contributions of the thought leaders of Islam throughout its history. It also develops tajdid-related formulas and guidelines that should lead the efforts of contemporary Muslims in forging the objectives of intercivilizational harmony and their cooperation for the common good.

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