Tareq Y. Ismael_ Jacqueline S. Ismael - Government and Politics of the Contemporary Middle East_ Continuity and Change-Routledge (2012)-part-3

The Legacy of Islam

Continuity and Change

  • Historical survey reveals a continuous adaptation of Islamic doctrines to modern political life.

  • Islam depicted as dynamic rather than static or monolithic.

  • Contentious relations between the Muslim world and the West:

    • Colonialism

    • Socialist and nationalist projects

    • Neo-colonialism disguised as democratization

Islamic Activism Today

  • Current Islamic activism is a powerful socio-political force.

  • Holds authenticity and popular legitimacy lacking in unelected autocracies.

Emergence of the Islamic Empire

  • Began around 622 CE during the life of Muhammad (569-632 CE).

  • The city state of Medina was the nucleus of this socio-political project.

  • Rapid expansion of the empire at approximately 274 square miles per day, leading to a total area over a million square miles at Muhammad's death.

  • Spread of Islam not solely by force but through cultural accommodation.

Modern Political Structure

  • The primary political unit today is the nation-state, not the historic Ummah (Muslim community).

  • The role of the Ummah has diminished to a vague religio-cultural bond.

  • Islamic activism has gained political significance in a region where autocratic states suppress it, leading to public responses seeking revitalization of Islamic principles.

Pre-Islamic Arabia

Economic Transformation

  • Before Muhammad's birth, Mecca experienced economic changes challenging Bedouin tribal structures.

  • Bedouins were divided into nomadic and settled tribes, often in conflict, leading to alliances for mutual benefit.

Tribal and Civic Identity

  • Intrinsic kinship notions among Bedouins encouraged civic seclusion and decentralized political unity.

  • Intra-tribal wealth led to a shift away from communal ownership and loyalty.

Trade Routes and Economy

  • Sixth-century CE trade routes spanned Arabia, fostering economic interaction.

  • The Quraysh clan, custodians of the Ka’ba, began collecting taxes from trade activities, which enabled significant economic prosperity.

Socio-Political Structure of Meccan Society

  • Dominated by the Quraysh, with an oligarchical political system managed by hereditary heads of tribes.

  • Increased wealth and trade created social stratification and diminished tribal equality.

Pre-Islamic Religious Practices

  • Primarily polytheistic, centered around the Ka’ba as a pilgrimage site.

  • The Quraysh held significant religious and economic power through the Ka’ba and trade.

The Advent of Islam

Muhammad's Early Life

  • Born in 569 CE into the noble Hashimite clan of the Quraysh.

  • Orphaned early, raised outside typical familial structures, leading to exposure to desert life rather than formal education.

Recognition as a Prophet

  • At age 40, Muhammad claims to be God's messenger, initiating the monotheistic call.

  • Faced intense opposition from Quraysh, escalating to violence and economic persecution.

Migration to Medina

  • Following plots against him, Muhammad and his followers migrated to Medina in 622 CE.

  • Medina had a diverse population, and Muhammad negotiated the rights and duties via the "Covenant of Medina."

Establishment of Islamic Governance

  • The Covenant institutionalized the Islamic city-state, establishing justice and rights beyond tribal affiliations.

  • Promoted equality among diverse groups and solidified community bonds through partnerships.

Islamic Expansion and Governance

Conquest and Coexistence

  • Consolidation of Arabia under Islam occurred relatively peacefully.

  • Islamic governance allowed for religious minorities to practice their faith, conditioning some to pay a poll tax (jyzia).

Concept of Jihad

  • Misunderstood in the West as "holy war;" its true meaning encompasses self-exertion in pursuit of God's path.

  • Qur'an emphasizes ethical conduct in warfare and protection of civilians and non-combatants.

Pillars of Islamic Society

  • Key principles include tolerance, economic well-being, and the celebration of diversity.

  • In particular, gender equality is stated in both Qur'an and Muhammad’s practices, though cultural discrimination persists.

Jurisprudence and Legal Sources

  • Legal reasoning in Islam involves ijtihad (independent judgment), with the Qur'an, Sunna, Ijma (consensus), and Qiyas (analogical reasoning) as sources.

  • Flexible interpretation of the Qur'an supports legal adaptation to changing conditions.

Political Thought and Administration

Sunni Political Framework

  • The Islamic state is not a theocracy but is theocentric, emphasizing justice and welfare as primary mandates.

  • Major emphasis on community engagement and justice principles laid out in the Qur'an.

Shi'a Political Development

  • Historical evolution through key phases leading to the contemporary view of Shi'a Imamate.

  • The concept of Wilayat al-Faqih arose to compensate for the period of occultation of the Twelfth Imam.

Islamic Revivalism Today

  • Revival movements predominantly respond to foreign intervention and internal threats, focusing on social justice and political rights.

  • Various Islamist factions have developed, including the Wahhabi movement, emphasizing strict adherence to traditional practices.

Contemporary Political Activism

  • Organizations such as the Muslim Brotherhood, Hizbollah, and Hamas illustrate the spectrum of political Islam.

  • Challenges include balancing revolutionary goals with governance and societal engagement, as seen in the cases of Egypt and Palestine.

Conclusion

  • Long-standing need for a synthesis of Islam and democratic principles reflects a potential path for future Islamic governance.

  • US interventions in the region continue to complicate the prospects for a cohesive Islamic political narrative.