An Analysis of Epistemological Confrontation between Islamic Beliefs and Postmodern Approaches

Abstract

Postmodernism, with its rejection of absolute truths, embrace of moral relativism, and deconstruction of grand narratives, presents significant epistemological and ethical challenges to Islamic teachings. This paper critically investigates the tension between postmodern skepticism and Islam’s divinely grounded epistemology, which asserts objective truth rooted in the Qur'an, Sunnah, and the classical scholarly tradition. It highlights the incompatibility between postmodern moral relativism and Islam’s Divine Command Theory alongside the fixed ethical framework of Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah. By examining case studies on postmodern feminist and queer reinterpretations of Islamic texts, the study reveals how deconstructive approaches clash with Islam’s theological exclusivism (such as the finality of prophethood and unequivocal moral directives). While postmodernism unsettles entrenched dogmas, its radical subjectivity threatens the ontological and moral foundations of Islamic orthodoxy. Nevertheless, this article identifies cautious opportunities for intellectual engagement—such as critical reflexivity within Islamic jurisprudence without succumbing to relativism. Ultimately, it argues that Islam’s truth claims resist reduction by postmodern critiques, yet certain epistemological methods from postmodern thought could facilitate disciplined reform while maintaining theological integrity.