Traditionalism and tradition: different facets of the same phenomenon
https://doi.org/10.31162/2618-9569-2026-19-1-151-177
Abstract
In order to identify the different facets of the concepts of "traditionalism" and "tradition", the article analyzes three approaches to these phenomena: perennialism, a philosophical trend, the key idea of which is the concept of tradition, considered as the highest, primordial, metaphysical truth; the Islamic theological approach, the basic concept of which is "naql", that is the verified in accordance with strict rules, a well-organized, structured and formalized Tradition within the framework of a specific Islamic tradition; and the philosophical and religious approach of those who do not position themselves as perennialists, but consider tradition from a broader perspective, relative to specific religious frameworks. To achieve this goal, we first consider the emergence of the idea of philosophia perennis in the 16th century and its revival in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which led to a turn towards Islam, which has its own clear formulations of tradition and methodology for following it, which is given special attention with an emphasis on the concepts of “taqlid“ and “naql”. The following are several philosophical and religious ideas about different variants of tradition, in accordance with a certain algorithm: a variant of tradition, a methodology for following, aspects of work, a form of thinking, and a result.
About the Author
T. E. Sedankina
Russian Islamic Institute ; Bolgar Islamic Academy
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Tatyana E. Sedankina, Cand. Sci. (Pedagogy), Associate Professor, the Head of the Department of Systematic Theology; Associate Professor, Department of Theology
Kazan; Bolgar
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For citations:
Sedankina T.E. Traditionalism and tradition: different facets of the same phenomenon. Minbar. Islamic Studies. 2026;19(1):151-177. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31162/2618-9569-2026-19-1-151-177
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