Syed Abul Aʻalā Mawdūdī’s Methodology in Responding to Contemporary Atheistic Critiques on Islamic Modesty (Pardah)

اسلامی پردہ پر معاصر الحادی فکر کے اعتراضات کےرد میں سیدابوالاعلیٰ مودودی کامنہج

Abstract

Syed Abul Aʻalā Mawdūdī adopted a comprehensive and multidimensional methodology in responding to contemporary atheistic critiques against Islamic concepts, particularly Islamic modesty (Pardah). Recognizing the diversity in intellectual capacity, social background, and psychological disposition of his audience, he employed varied styles of argumentation across his writings to effectively communicate his message. His approach combined rational reasoning, moral critique, sociological analysis, and persuasive discourse to address doubts and objections raised by modern atheistic thought. Mawdūdī viewed atheistic criticism of Islamic modesty not as an isolated issue but as part of a broader denial of God, religion, and moral restraints. He argued that such objections were driven by an underlying desire to free human beings from divine limits, ultimately subjecting them to unchecked desires, sexual indulgence, and materialistic domination. By systematically countering these critiques, Mawdūdī sought to reaffirm the moral, spiritual, and civilizational wisdom of Islamic teachings and successfully persuaded many religion-averse individuals of the intellectual and ethical validity of Islam. His methodology remains a significant model for engaging with modern ideological challenges to Islamic values.