Transcript Islamic Fundamentalism

Islamic
Fundamentalism
Beliefs and Practices; Social Movements
and Groups
Islam
is not equal to
Islamic Fundamentalism
DO NOT CONFUSE THE TWO!
Islamic Fundamentalism Beliefs
• An Islamic state should be a unified Islamic society, not split into differing schools
of thought (law or theology) or sects, each with it’s own special emphasis.
• The true Islamic state should be led by a leader who represents the state to the
rest of the world, and is called to be leader in the tradition of the early Islamic
caliphs.
• The Koran, the traditions handed down from Muhammed, (Arabic: “sunna”) and
Islamic law, (sharia) should be the legal basis for state and society.
• They must, however, be interpreted anew by Islamic scholars, so as to be
appropriate to modern times.
• Islam must be a fixed element in all areas of life.
• Life, in its entirety, in state and society, must receive its legitimacy from Islam.
• Islam must, therefore, stamp its mark clearly on the social, economic and
political life of Muslims.
• Some fundamentalists reject all reform and modernising as “Un-Islamic”.
• Islam, as generally lived nowadays, is seen as a compromise with the
unbelieving world.
• The lack of unity among Islamic law scholars is critiscised. Most current Islamic
statesmen are accused of compromise and corruption.
Islamic Fundamentalism Beliefs
• The world is divided into two spheres, Dar al-Islam and Dar al-Harb…Jihad is
waged to “remove the obstacles to the religion of God”
• Jihad is a religious war with those who are “unbelievers in the mission of the
Prophet Muhammad the Prophet.”
• A literal approach to the interpretation of the Qur’an---AKA “Muslim”
Fundamentalists
• Believe that Islam has been corrupted by the modern world
• Want to return to the way people practiced Islam in a
“more pure” time
• No separation between religious and secular authority…the state should
implement Shariah law
• Innovation is to be avoided
• Belief in revolution to affect social change
• Education of women should be banned---restricted roles for women
• The use of modern technology within the Islamic state should be banned or
censored----radio, tv, internet, etc..
Appeal of Islamic Fundamentalism: Why?
• Muslim fundamentalists, filled with idealistic zeal, are committed to the
establishing of a state which is influenced only by Islam.
• They are prepared for great sacrifice – even their own lives – to work for this
goal.
• Their life – perspective is to assist in the building of an Islamic state.
• Their aversion to all things western, and non – Islamic society, is expressed by
clothing which emphasizes an Islamic identity, as well as strict adherence to an
Islamic moral code.
• The strength and attraction of fundamentalist groups lies in their ability to give a
perspective and hope to people otherwise trapped in difficult living –
circumstances.
• They are able to give individual people an identity, and new sense of self –
respect.
• It has to be asked, however, whether the idealistic programmes which these
groups intend to cayry out can really stand the reality test, and whether
economic and social problems (poor education, unemployment,
underdevelopment and over-population) can really be solved by a strict
observance of Islam.
Appeal of Islamic Fundamentalism: Why?
• Many fundamentalists have very high moral and ethical goals, and wish to
improve the lot of individuals in their personal sphere.
• Some of the social – welfare projects which fundamentalist groups have set up
are exemplary, such asorphan’s and widow’s pensions, the building of hospitals
and schools etc..
• Tragically, there are people who believe they are following Muhammed’s
example by inflicting terror and violence on innocent people, and imagine that
this can somehow bring about “peace”.
Islamic Fundamentalism Achieve Goals By
Doing The Following:
• Combine religion and government = create more “Islamic states”
• Use “Shari’a Law” for whole society
• Limit the effects of modernization
• Force non-fundamentalist Muslims and others to obey, even using
violence
• Women’s rights are virtually non-existent
• Unfair justice system
• Punishments are cruel
• Severely repressed by the governments of their own nations, such
as Algeria, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, they nevertheless target the
United States as the “Great Satan,” chant “Death to America,” and
provide ready recruits for terrorist networks such as Al Qaeda.
Islamic Fundamentalism Types and History
• Three Types of Modern Islamic Theory:
• The Madhhabists: Adherents to specific schools of law
• The Salafi: Qur’anic literalists
• The Ghulat: Extremists (or cultists)
• Types of Movements:
• Islamists History:
• Post Ottoman Period
• Jamal ad-din al-Afghani (1837-97): Called for a return to the
original principles and ideals of Islam and for greater unity among
Islamic peoples
• Muhammad Abduh (1849-1905): Islami apologist who taught that
morality and law must be adapted to modern conditions in the
interest of the common good.
• Rashid Rida (1865-1935): Highlighted the relative weakness of
Muslim societies vis-à-vis Western colonialism
• The Deobandi Movement
• Dar al Alum University in Deoband, India
• Adhered to Hanafi School of jurisprudence
• Social conservatism
History and Beliefs of Islamic Fundamentalism
• Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi
• Advocated the creation of an Islamic state governed by
sharia law, as interpreted by Shura councils.
• An integration of Islam with an ethical scientific view.
• The Muslim Brotherhood
• Founded by Hassan al Banna in 1928
• The Qur’an as “Constitution”
• Provided basic community services including schools,
mosques, and workshops
• The need to eliminate all non-Muslim imperialism from
the world
• Sayyid Qutb
• The Iranian Revolution
• Lebanon and Hezbollah
Flaws in the Islamic fundamentalist argument
• There was no “purer” time
• The past they wish to “return to” is not the way they
think it was
• It violates rights of modern Muslims & non-Muslims
• It leads to extremist acts (like terrorism) that violate the
principles of peace inherent in Islam
• Fundamentalist leaders rely on modern technology (the
internet, cars, planes, bombs, etc)