Neo-Traditionalism in Islam in the West: Orthodoxy, Spirituality and Politics

## Studies the impact neo-traditionalism has on the religious and political subjectivities of Muslims in the West * Shows the importance of neo-traditionalism in the changing conceptions of religious orthodoxy, religious authority and spirituality for young Muslims in the West * Studies primarily – although not exclusively – three neo-traditionalist shaykhs: Hamza Yusuf, Abdal Hakim Murad and Umar Faruq Abd-Allah * Analyses how neo-traditionalist shaykhs construct the notion of ‘tradition’ concerning what they perceive to have been lost in modernity * Examines the political implications to their critiques of modernity – as it pertains to political quietism, race and gender This book examines the salience of neo-traditionalism in Anglo-American Muslim communities. By tracing the scholarship and impact of the key public pedagogues (shaykhs) associated with this phenomenon – Hamza Yusuf, Abdal Hakim Murad, and Umar Faruq Abd-Allah, Quisay shows how their critiques of modernity is solidified as political ideals and strategies. The shaykhs guide their community of followers and students – known as ‘seekers of sacred knowledge’ – to paradigmatic critique of modernity that emphasises the importance of reconnecting with the tradition, self-purification, religious orthodoxy, and advocating for the notion of traditional metaphysical worldview and recognition and deference to spiritual (and political) authorities. In secluded, spiritual retreats – held by the shaykhs – the seekers hope to opt out of the disenchanted modern in search for a form of re-enchantment where neither the modern world nor the particularities of their modern subjectivities can intrude. The enticement of re-enchantment, however, proves problematic in the face of modern political power. Studies the impact neo-traditionalism has on the religious and political subjectivities of Muslims in the WestShows the importance of neo-traditionalism in the changing conceptions of religious orthodoxy, religious authority and spirituality for young Muslims in the WestStudies primarily – although not exclusively – three neo-traditionalist shaykhs: Hamza Yusuf, Abdal Hakim Murad and Umar Faruq Abd-Allah Analyses how neo-traditionalist shaykhs construct the notion of ‘tradition'concerning what they perceive to have been lost in modernity Examines the political implications to their critiques of modernity – as it pertains to political quietism, race and genderExamining Muslim neo-traditionalist scholars in the West and their community of young seekers of sacred knowledge, Walaa Quisay explores the emerging trend within Anglo-American Islam that emphasises the importance of ‘tradition'. This book focuses on spiritual retreats hosted by three main shaykhs – Hamza Yusuf, Abdal Hakim Murad and Umar Faruq Abd-Allah – to examine how religious authority is formed and affirmed.Through interviews with seekers who have attended retreats, the author sheds light on how discourses are shaped and practised and analyses how neo-traditionalist shaykhs construct the notion of ‘tradition'concerning what they perceive to have been lost in modernity. The importance is highlighted of neo-traditionalism in the changing conceptions of religious orthodoxy, religious authority and spirituality for young Muslims in the West, and Quisay examines the political implications to the shaykhs'critiques of modernity as it pertains to political quietism, race and gender. Examining Muslim neo-traditionalist scholars in the West and their community of young seekers of sacred knowledge, Walaa Quisay explores the emerging trend within Anglo-American Islam that emphasises the importance of tradition. This book focuses on spiritual retreats hosted by three main shaykhs Hamza Yusuf, Abdal Hakim Murad and Umar Faruq Abd-Allah to examine how religious authority is formed and affirmed. Through interviews with seekers who have attended retreats, the author sheds light on how discourses are shaped and practised and analyses how neo-traditionalist shaykhs construct the notion of tradition concerning what they perceive to have been lost in modernity. The importance is highlighted of neo-traditionalism in the changing conceptions of religious orthodoxy, religious authority and spirituality for young Muslims in the West, and Quisay examines the political implications to the shaykhs critiques of modernity as it pertains to political quietism, race and gender. Cover Half Title Dedication Title Page Copyright Contents Acknowledgments Foreword Introduction Stories of Disenchantment 1 Locating the (Neo)Traditional 2 Modern Times Places of Re-Enchantment 3 Travelers to Tradition 4 Formation of Authority and Conditions of Plausibility 5 The Metaphysical Lens 6 Race, Gender, and Belonging Locating Neo-Traditionalism in Modernity 7 The Sufi, the Palace, and the People 8 The Seekers, Politics, and Power Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index