Muhammad Abduh

Egyptian, acknowledged the loss of reilgious authorities
Wrote Risalat al-Tawhid, emphasizing the role of free will and reason
His version of tawhid rejected the possibility with Allah
Relegitimized the expansive usage of rational tools and strengthened the prevalent forms of ijtihad
Refuted the “inherent” incompatbility of Islamic revelation and reason
Made a case for the plurality of religious interpretation
Had a millieu described in DiCapua - Gatekeepers of the Arab Past pg 25