This chapter investigates the intersection of translation and philosophy to propose a pathway for redefining modernity within the Arabic-Islamic intellectual tradition. It centers on the work of Moroccan philosopher Taha Abderrahmane, whose reflections on translation serve as a cornerstone for formulating a unique Arabic-Islamic approach to modernity independent of its Western version. By examining Abderrahmane’s nuanced critique of Western modernity and his advocacy for “responsible independence,” the chapter demonstrates how translation operates not merely as a linguistic tool but as a profound method of intellectual and cultural innovation, as well as an instrument of emancipation from the West. Abderrahmane’s philosophy emphasizes “foundational” and “exploratory” translation strategies, which aim to reconcile inherited traditions with the demands of Arab contemporary thought, while fostering an endogenous and ethically grounded form of modernity. The chapter situates these ideas within broader debates in translation studies and contextualizes them against the backdrop of decolonial perspectives, which similarly critique Western hegemony but often overlook the pivotal role of translation in epistemic liberation. Through this framework, the study proposes a philosophy of translation as an autonomous subdiscipline within translation studies. It argues for the potential of translation to act as a transformative process—both intellectual and practical—for achieving cultural originality and ethical self-determination in the Arab-Muslim world. Ultimately, the chapter advocates for a reimagining of modernity as a dynamic, localized process rooted in translation’s ethical and innovative capacities.