Sheikh Mahmoud Shukri Al-Alusi and His Stance on Contemporary Intellectual Currents: An Analytical Study in Light of the Intellectual Transformations of the Nineteenth Century

This research provides an In-depth analysis of the Intellectual position of Sheikh Mahmud Shukri al-Alusi (1856-1924 AD) towards the prevailing intellectual currents of his era, the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The study aimed to move beyond a historical narrative of his life to delve into the core of his reformist project and his methodology in addressing the challenges of authenticity and modernity. The research adopted an analytical approach, relying on al-Alusi's writings and his extensive network of correspondence as primary sources. The research concludes that al-Alusi was not merely a traditional scholar but the leader of an integrated reformist project. He employed precise methodological tools to confront internal currents (stagnation and religious innovations) and external ones (Westernization and secularism). The study reveals that his strategy was based on "fortification through the Salafi heritage" as an act of cultural resistance, the use of "correspondence networks" as a tool to build a transnational intellectual front, and the adoption of an approach that combined "fIrmness in principle with flexibility in application." The research determines that al-Alusi's most significant Impact was the consolidation of the modern Salafi reform school, the rebuilding of the Salafi library, and the presentation of a unique model of the "engaged scholar" who merges the depth of heritage with contemporary awareness.