The concept of revelation has become one of the most debated issues in contemporary Islamic thought due to the rise of scientific rationalism, historical criticism, and individualistic approaches to religion. These intellectual trends have generated various doubts concerning the divine origin and epistemic authority of revelation. This study aims to analyze and compare the responses of Allameh Tabataba’i and Muhammad Abduh to modern doubts about revelation from a sociological perspective. The main research question examines how these two thinkers reconstruct the legitimacy and meaning of revelation in the modern context. The research hypothesis assumes that Tabataba’i adopts a philosophical–exegetical approach, while Abduh follows a reformist–social model in defending revelation. Using qualitative content analysis and comparative textual interpretation, this study analyzes their major works and related scholarly literature. The findings indicate that both thinkers reject reductionist interpretations of revelation and emphasize its divine origin and epistemic authority, although they differ in their methodological and social orientations. The study concludes that sustaining the relevance of revelation in modern societies requires the integration of rational inquiry, institutional mediation, and social legitimacy.

Introduction
In the modern era, the traditional understanding of revelation has been seriously challenged by scientific rationalism, historical criticism, and subjective interpretations of religion. These developments have led many scholars and intellectuals to reinterpret revelation as a psychological experience, a cultural product, or a historically conditioned phenomenon. As a result, the divine origin and epistemic authority of revelation have been questioned in both Western and Islamic intellectual contexts. Within Islamic thought, these challenges have generated extensive debates and scholarly responses. Among the most influential figures who addressed these issues are Allameh Tabataba’i and Muhammad Abduh. Although they belonged to different intellectual traditions and historical contexts, both thinkers attempted to defend the centrality of revelation while responding to modern critiques. This study seeks to examine how Tabataba’i and Abduh reconstructed the concept of revelation in response to contemporary doubts. By employing a sociological framework, the research analyzes revelation not only as a theological doctrine but also as a social institution that produces meaning, identity, and legitimacy in religious communities.
Materials and Methods
This research adopts a qualitative and comparative methodology based on textual analysis and sociological interpretation. The primary sources include the major works of Allameh Tabataba’i, especially his Qur’anic exegesis and philosophical writings, as well as Muhammad Abduh’s theological and reformist texts. Secondary sources consist of academic studies and critical literature related to their intellectual contributions. The analytical framework is derived from the sociology of religion, particularly theories concerning the social construction of meaning, institutionalization of the sacred, and legitimacy of religious authority. Through this framework, revelation is examined as a socially mediated and symbolically structured phenomenon. The method of data analysis involves thematic coding and comparative interpretation. Key themes such as divine origin, epistemic authority, relation to science, historical context, language of revelation, and institutional mediation were identified and analyzed. The findings from both thinkers were then systematically compared to highlight similarities and differences.
Discussion
The analysis shows that both Tabataba’i and Abduh strongly rejected reductionist interpretations that define revelation as mere psychological experience or intellectual creativity. Tabataba’i emphasized the metaphysical and epistemological foundations of revelation by grounding it in Islamic philosophy and the concept of knowledge by presence. He viewed revelation as a form of divine communication that transcends ordinary cognition and remains immune to error.
Abduh, on the other hand, approached revelation primarily from a social and reformist perspective. While affirming its divine origin, he focused on its moral and educational functions in modern society. He aimed to reconcile religious belief with scientific rationality and social progress. Regarding science and reason, both thinkers denied any fundamental conflict between revelation and scientific knowledge. Tabataba’i argued that science and revelation belong to different epistemic domains, while Abduh emphasized the necessity of reinterpretation and intellectual reform. Another significant aspect concerns the language and historical context of revelation. Tabataba’i distinguished between the linguistic form and the transcendent content of revelation, defending its timeless validity. Abduh stressed the adaptability of religious interpretation to changing social conditions. From a sociological perspective, Tabataba’i’s approach reinforces institutional and scholarly authority, whereas Abduh’s model promotes public legitimacy and social engagement. These two strategies represent complementary patterns for sustaining religious meaning measuring.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that Allameh Tabataba’i and Muhammad Abduh developed distinct but convergent models for defending revelation in the modern age. Tabataba’i’s philosophical–exegetical approach strengthens the epistemic foundations of religious belief, while Abduh’s reformist–social perspective enhances its practical relevance and social acceptance. Both models reveal that the survival of revelation in contemporary societies depends not only on theological argumentation but also on its capacity to be socially institutionalized and culturally meaningful. Effective engagement with modern challenges requires a balanced integration of rational inquiry, social mediation, and institutional legitimacy. Ultimately, revisiting revelation through a sociological lens provides a comprehensive understanding of how Islamic thought adapts to modernity without sacrificing its core principles. This approach offers valuable insights for future research in religious studies, Islamic theology, and cultural policy.