Islam and Power Routledge Library Editions: Politics of Islam Series

The 1970s witnessed a mushrooming of Islamic movements and ideas which was described variously as Islamic revival, Islamic resurgence and Islam on the march. Whether as part of the majority or minority, whether under capitalist or socialist regimes, Muslims have been moved by this reawakening. But what really are the causes and nature of this Islamic resurgence? Is it a purely religious revival? Or is it a social and political movement that must be understood in the context of the Muslim?s conditions and milieu? Will it really lead to the establishment of an Islamic socio-political order or will it end up as an instrument of struggle between Muslim ruling elites and their opposition? And what are the foreign policy implications of these developments? Do they necessarily lead to a more militant and hostile attitude towards the West? These questions and more are tackled by the contributors to Islam and Power.

First published in 1981.

Foreword. Introduction Alexander S. Cudsi and Ali E. Hillal Dessouki. Part One: Aspects of the Islamic Tradition Regarding Power 1. Activism and Quietism in Islam: The Case of the Early Murji’a Michael Cook 2. Towards a Muslim Theory of History Thomas Naff 3. The Ideologisation of Islam in the Contemporary Muslim World Ali Merad 4. Changing Concepts of Authority in the Late Ninth/Fifteenth and Early Tenth/Sixteenth Centuries Ann Lambton Part Two: Aspects of Power in Heterdox Islam 5. Ayatollah Khomeini’s Concept of Islamic Government Abbas Kelidar Part Three: Religious Orders and Movements in Islam 6. Official Islam and Sufi Brotherhoods in the Soviet Union Today Alexandre Bennigsen 7. The Resurgence of Islamic Organisations in Egypt: An Interpretation Ali E. Hillal Dessouki 8. Religious Resistance and State Power in Algeria Jean-Claude Vatin 9. Islam and Power in Black Africa Donal B. Cruise O’Brien Part Four: Conclusion 10. Islamic Resurgence: A Critical View P. J. Vatiokis. Notes on Contributors. Index