Contesting the Theological Foundations of Islamism and Violent Extremism

Abstract

This edited volume discusses critically discursive claims about the theological foundations connecting Islam to certain manifestations of violent extremism. Such claims and associated debates become even more polarizing when images of violent acts of terrorism performed in the name of Islam circulate in the global media. The authors argue that the visibility of such mediated violent extremism, in particular since the emergence of ISIS, has created a major political and security challenge not only to the world but also to the global Muslim community. This is particularly true in relation to the way Islam is being understood and characterized in the modern world. Existing studies on radicalization generally deal with causes and strategies to address violent extremism. The book will appeal to scholars, researchers and students in political science, Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies.-- Intro; Contents; Notes on Contributors; List of Tables; Chapter 1: Introduction: Framing the Debate Around Islamic Theology, Radicalisation and Violent Extremism; A Historical Context for Religious Violence; Islamist Violent Extremism in the Contemporary World; Book Structure; Conclusion; References; Part I: Contesting the Theological Foundations of Violent Extremism; Chapter 2: Causes of Radicalisation: Theological Arguments as the Ultimate Trigger; Introduction; Religious Narratives; Jihad; Takfir (Excommunication); Dar al-harb (Land of War); Contemporary Scholars' Stance Against Radicalism ConclusionReferences; Chapter 3: Refuting the Extremist Interpretations of the Text and the Prophetic Traditions: The Case of Qur'an 2:256; Introduction; The Notions of Jihad and Fighting in Islamic Scriptures; The Case of Qur'an 2:256; Occasions of Revelations for Qur'an 2:256; Various Interpretations of Qur'an 2:256: Not to Force Conversions to Islam; Analysis of Qur'an 9:5 and the Issue of Abrogation; Defensive War (Jihad Al-Dafʿ) and Offensive Jihad (Jihad Al-Talab); Extremist Interpretations of Prophetic Traditions; Forcing Muslims in Their Religious Practices Forced Conversions and Leaving Islam: The Case of ApostasyConclusion; References; Chapter 4: Social Construction of Jihad and Human Dignity in the Language of ISIS; Introduction; The Theory: Social Construction; ISIS and the Proclamation of the Caliphate; Human Dignity in Islam; Jihad in Islam; Jihad and Human Dignity in the Language of ISIS and the Social Construction of Reality; Conclusion; References; Part II: The Social and Political Perspectives to Violent Extremism; Chapter 5: Orientalism and Anti-Orientalism: Epistemological Approaches to Islam and Violence; Introduction Traditional Orientalism: Islamic Texts and HistoryMore Orientalism: Ideology and Political Islam; Enter Anti-Orientalism: Violence and the Primacy of Material Factors; The Negation of Islam: Anti-Orientalism's Orientalism; Conclusion; References; Chapter 6: Political and Social Changes in the Muslim World with Special Reference to Development, Knowledge and Freedom Deficits; Introduction; Development Deficit; Changing Economic Fortunes; Freedom Deficit; Knowledge Deficit; Concluding Remarks; References Chapter 7: Islamism, Radicalisation and Violent Extremism: Perspectives of Young Muslim AustraliansIntroduction; Islamism; Perspectives of Young Muslim Australians; Identity; Radicalisation and Violent Extremism; Discussion; Conclusion; References; Part III: Religious Leadership and Violent Extremism; Chapter 8: Understanding Key Themes in the ISIS Narrative: An Examination of Dabiq Magazine; Introduction; Dabiq Magazine; Dabiq and al-Adnani's September 2014 Call for "Lone Wolf" Attacks; Sayyid Qutb and the Roots of ISIS' Apocalyptic Narrative