islah

Islah is an Arabic term commonly translated as reform, rectification, or amendment. Derived from the root s-l-ḥ, it conveys the idea of repairing or setting right, and is used in Islamic discourse to describe bringing individuals or communities into greater conformity with moral, religious, or legal ideals. In addition to personal reform, islah can refer to social or institutional reform. The concept is closely linked to the ethical imperative in Islam to enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong (amar bil-ma’ruf wa nahi ’an al-munkar).

In Islamic thought, islah encompasses a range of aims and methods, including education, governance reform, accountability, anti-corruption measures, and social welfare. It often emphasizes balancing adherence to traditional principles with rational reflection, consultation (shura), and community involvement, in order to promote justice, piety, and social harmony.

Historically, islah has been invoked in various Muslim societies to describe reformist currents within religious scholarship, jurisprudence, and political life. In contemporary contexts, it has become a common label for reform-oriented movements and political parties or organizations in different Muslim-majority countries. While the overarching goal—improving society within an Islamic ethical framework—tends to be similar, groups using the name Islah may differ in methods, priorities, and interpretations of Islamic law.

Critics sometimes argue that islah can involve compromises with existing power structures or gradualism that frustrates more radical change, while supporters view it as a principled effort to align governance and social life with religiously grounded ethics.