Rethinking Salafism : the transnational networks of Salafi 'ulama in Egypt, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia

Salafism has received scrutiny as the one of the main ideological sources for extremist violence perpetrated by jihadi groups. There is a significant corpus of literature discussing transnational jihadi networks, especially after the 9/11 attacks in the United States. These discussions include the radicalization of Salafi thought by jihadi theoreticians and 'ulama. However, Salafism is not monolithic. It contains numerous streams, and an examination of these streams is crucial to understanding its influence on Muslim societies. Besides Salafi jihadis―those who sanction violence―there are two other broad trends in Salafism: quietist and activist. Quietist Salafis endorse an apolitical tradition and find political activism in any form unacceptable. Activist Salafis advocate peaceful political change. Each stream is led by 'ulama, seen as the preservers of Salafi traditions. The quietist and activist 'ulama are active participants in their communities. Studies of such clerics have tended to be country-specific, focusing on the influence and nature of Salafism and its dynamics in those countries. In Rethinking Salafism Raihan Ismail assesses the origins, interactions, and dynamics of the transnational networks of Salafi 'ulama in the region comprising Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Kuwait, showing how quietist and activist 'ulama work across borders to preserve and promote what they see as "authentic" Salafism while taking domestic circumstances of the 'ulama into consideration. The book offers a reassessment of the quietist/activist dichotomy, arguing that this dichotomy does not apply to such aspects of Salafi thought as attitudes towards the Shi'a and social matters in Muslim societies. "This book analyses the transnational networks of Salafi Sunni Muslim 'ulama, encompassing Egypt, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. It examines how these networks of conservative 'ulama have been developed and sustained, while taking into consideration the contest between their alternative political persuasions: activists versus quietists. The book evaluates the impacts of local and regional circumstances on the transnational networks of Salafi 'ulama. It examines how these networks are fostered or destabilised by these interactions, resulting in contestations and negotiations over Salafi religious and political identities. This book also offers a reassessment of existing Salafi typology by examining the attitudes of the 'ulama towards the Sunni-Shia divide, towards jihadi-Salafism, and towards social issues concerning Muslim societies"-- Provided by publisher Salafism has received scrutiny as the main ideological source for violent extremism propagated by jihadi groups. Besides Salafi jihadis, however, there are two other broad trends of Salafism: quietist and activist. Quietist Salafis endorse an apolitical tradition and find political activism in any form unacceptable. Activist Salafis advocate peaceful political change. Each stream is led by 'ulama, seen as the preservers of Salafi traditions. Rethinking Salafism assesses the origins, interactions and dynamics of the transnational networks of Salafi 'ulama in the region of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Kuwait. It also offers a reassessment of the quietist/activist dichotomy, arguing that this dichotomy does not apply to certain aspects of Salafi thought such as attitudes towards the Shi'a and social matters in Muslim communities 1. Introduction -- 2. Deconstructing Salafism -- 3. Transnational solidarity of Salafi ʻulama: the politics of Islamism -- 4. Transnational networks of Salafi ʻulama: the debate over the Sunni-Shiʻa divide -- 5. Transnational networks of Salafi ʻulama: haraki/quietist unity in the face of Jihadi Salafism? -- 6. Transnational networks of ʻulama: contesting the social sphere -- 7. Conclusion -- Notes -- Selected Bibliography