Islamism

Islamism holds that Islam is not merely a personal faith but a comprehensive system governing politics, law, and society. Its central demand is the application of sharia, often interpreted as a fixed legal code, and the unification of religious and political authority. The ideology arose in the late 19th century among thinkers like Jamal al-Din al-Afghani and Muhammad Abduh, who argued that Muslims could regain strength by returning to authentic Islamic principles while engaging with modernity.¹

The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, became the archetypal Islamist organization, blending social welfare, political activism, and a vision of an Islamic state. Later thinkers, such as Sayyid Qutb, radicalized the movement by advocating revolutionary overthrow of regimes deemed un-Islamic.

Islamism is not monolithic; it spans a spectrum from quietist to militant. Quietist Islamists, such as the Salafi movement in Saudi Arabia, focus on personal piety and avoid direct political confrontation. In contrast, political Islamists, like Turkey's Justice and Development Party (AKP), have participated in democratic elections and governed within secular frameworks.²

Revolutionary Islamists, including groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS, reject existing political systems and employ violence to establish a caliphate. Between these poles lie reformist movements, such as Tunisia's Ennahda, which have embraced democracy and human rights while maintaining an Islamic identity.

Beyond the well-known figures, Islamism has been shaped by lesser-known intellectuals and movements. For instance, the Indonesian Darul Islam movement in the 1940s–60s sought an Islamic state in Southeast Asia, predating many Middle Eastern groups. Similarly, the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, though overshadowed by the Egyptian branch, played a significant role in the 1982 Hama uprising.³

Islamist movements have also engaged with modernity in surprising ways, such as the development of Islamic finance and the use of digital media for recruitment and governance. The Iranian Revolution of 1979, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, introduced the concept of velayat-e faqih (guardianship of the jurist), a unique model of clerical rule that has influenced Shia Islamism.⁴

Islamism is a contested term, with some scholars arguing that it conflates distinct phenomena, from peaceful political parties to violent extremists. Critics, both Muslim and non-Muslim, have pointed to the potential for authoritarianism and the suppression of minority rights under sharia-based governance.

In response, many Islamist thinkers have developed theological justifications for democracy, pluralism, and gender equality, arguing that these are compatible with Islamic principles. The relationship between Islamism and secularism remains a central debate, with some advocating for a separation of religion and state, while others insist on their integration.

Sharia

Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith, governing both religious and secular aspects of life.

Caliphate

A political-religious state led by a caliph, considered the successor to the Prophet Muhammad.

Salafi

A movement within Sunni Islam that seeks to emulate the practices of the early Muslim community.

Velayat-e faqih

The Shia doctrine of governance by a jurist, as implemented in Iran.