The conceptual evolution of the term “religiosity” in Islamic thought

Abstract EN

Discrepancies in the interpretation of revelation, its application and the adherence to it can be observed among the ranks of Muslim scholars.

these differences are a result of the often-obscure gaps between theory and practice, between religious texts and the jurisprudential discretion of the scholars, between actions and those who carry them out, and between one’s understanding and his behaviour.

however, questions arise as to whether or not each manifestation of religiosity can be representative of religion, and if every understanding of religion can be portrayed as a form of religiosity.

this study aims to explain the difference between religion and religiosity lexically, from the perspective of the connotations of their definitions and the stages the latter has undergone.

the researcher will adopt an inductive approach in the study of the interest taken in religiosity throughout history.

he will also adopt the analytical approach in the study of whether or not religion and religiosity are the same and in the clarification of the reasons behind the emphasis on religiosity.

from among the most important findings of this research is that the concept of religiosity has undergone several temporal phases in Islamic thought and that the current events impacted the focus of the scholars on a particular aspect and perspective of the word.