Items related to Political Islam
Islamic theocracy is now firmly established in fundamentalist Iran, and waves of fundamentalism are sweeping the entire Islamic world, and its diaspora.
This book examines the claim of those Islamists who contend that, as a belief system and a way of life, Islam carries with it a theory of politics and the state which should be applied unquestioningly. Ayubi traces both the intellectual sources and the socio-economic bases of Political Islam, arguing that it is a modern phenomenon, dating back only to the inter-war period. He describes its major proponents as urban, educated and relatively young people, whose energies were mobilised, but whose expectations were not fulfilled by the post-independence `populist' regimes in the Arab World.
Islamic movements in six countries are studied in detail. Ayubi's distinctively broad definition of politics encompasses innovative material on sex and the family, and on the emerging alternative economic and social networks of Islamic banks, schools, and hospitals in the countries discussed.
Ayubi stresses the traditional concern in Islam for the collective enforcement of morals, but argues that there is no case for the commonly held misconception that politics begins from theological principles in the Arab world: the historical connection between Islam and politics can be explained as an attempt by the rulers to legitimise their actions. He suggests that radical Islamists are reversing this position by subjecting politics to their specific religious views, so their movement is in some senses an anti-state one. He concludes by discussing possible intellectual responses to fundamentalism, drawing on the thinking of contemporary Muslim liberals.
This book examines the claim of those Islamists who contend that, as a belief system and a way of life, Islam carries with it a theory of politics and the state which should be applied unquestioningly. Ayubi traces both the intellectual sources and the socio-economic bases of Political Islam, arguing that it is a modern phenomenon, dating back only to the inter-war period. He describes its major proponents as urban, educated and relatively young people, whose energies were mobilised, but whose expectations were not fulfilled by the post-independence `populist' regimes in the Arab World.
Islamic movements in six countries are studied in detail. Ayubi's distinctively broad definition of politics encompasses innovative material on sex and the family, and on the emerging alternative economic and social networks of Islamic banks, schools, and hospitals in the countries discussed.
Ayubi stresses the traditional concern in Islam for the collective enforcement of morals, but argues that there is no case for the commonly held misconception that politics begins from theological principles in the Arab world: the historical connection between Islam and politics can be explained as an attempt by the rulers to legitimise their actions. He suggests that radical Islamists are reversing this position by subjecting politics to their specific religious views, so their movement is in some senses an anti-state one. He concludes by discussing possible intellectual responses to fundamentalism, drawing on the thinking of contemporary Muslim liberals.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author:
Nazih Ayubi is Director of the Middle East Politics Program and Reader in Politics at the University of Exeter.
Review:
." . . scholarly in tone and substance and well researched, with penetrating shafts of insight."
-"International Affairs
"Among all the books attempting to explain the reassertion of Islam, this must be one of the most useful."
-"Theological Book Review
"Ayubi examines the writings of hundreds of Arab authors--almost all Muslims--and probes their intellectual discourse. . . . Scholars and specialists will appreciate the erudition of the author and the depth of the analysis that he has given to the subject."
-"The Middle East Journal
"This is a most original and perceptive work on Islamic revivalism. Ayubi has produced a compelling critique of both revivalism and the Western understanding of its place in Muslim life and thought."
-"Middle East Studies Association Bulletin
"This interesting and well-written book . . . argues that Islam is not a particularly political' religion, but rather a social' religion."
-"Journal of Church and State
-"International Affairs
"Among all the books attempting to explain the reassertion of Islam, this must be one of the most useful."
-"Theological Book Review
"Ayubi examines the writings of hundreds of Arab authors--almost all Muslims--and probes their intellectual discourse. . . . Scholars and specialists will appreciate the erudition of the author and the depth of the analysis that he has given to the subject."
-"The Middle East Journal
"This is a most original and perceptive work on Islamic revivalism. Ayubi has produced a compelling critique of both revivalism and the Western understanding of its place in Muslim life and thought."
-"Middle East Studies Association Bulletin
"This interesting and well-written book . . . argues that Islam is not a particularly political' religion, but rather a social' religion."
-"Journal of Church and State
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherRoutledge
- Publication date1991
- ISBN 10 0415054427
- ISBN 13 9780415054423
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages224
- Rating
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Political Islam: Religion and Politics in the Arab World
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London : Routledge
(1991)
ISBN 10: 0415054427
ISBN 13: 9780415054423
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. Inscribed by author to Fred Halliday. 291 pages ; 22 cm. Inscribed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # 17jbew402
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