A great thinker does not necessarily have to discover a master idea but has to rediscover and to affirm a true but forgotten, ignored or misunderstood master idea and interpret it in all the diverse aspects of thought not previously done, in a powerful and consistent way, despite surrounding ignorance and opposition. This criterion we think would include all prophets and their true followers among the Muslim scholars. He is both a great and original thinker who brings new meanings and interpretations to old ideas, thereby providing both continuity and originality to the important intellectual and cultural problems of his time and through it, of mankind. Thus, the brilliant interpretations of scholars and sages like Al-Jazari and Mull Sandra then, and Iqbal and Alcatraz now, deserve to be recognized and acknowledged as manifesting certain qualities of greatness and originality.

Filsafat dan Praktik Pendidikan Islam Syed M. Naquib Al-Attas