Salafi-Jihadism by Shiraz Maher

Author:Shiraz Maher
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780141986272
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2017-05-08T04:00:00+00:00

Conclusion

The concept of al-walā’ wa-l-barā’ has undergone a series of profound changes over the last three decades. Originally deployed as a tool of social dissent and rebellion by political actors in Saudi Arabia, its ability to create popular agitations around key issues quickly became apparent. During this time the idea was largely a xenophobic one—counselling against alliances with supposedly hostile and alien cultures. Instead it urged exclusivity among Muslims, where believers should rely on one another while shunning everyone else. The inherently political nature of al-walā’ wa-l-barā’ became apparent during this time revealing how Salafi-Jihadis, much like those from other religious traditions, occupy their time searching for authenticity in the space between scripture and meaning.

Contesting that space meant that sub-state groups like al-Qaeda began arguing that Muslims owed them al-walā’, suggesting the idea was not limited to states alone. They went even further by arguing that al-walā’ requires its own affirmative actions, without which individuals would fall into heresy. All of this was ultimately shaped to create alternative structures of legitimacy and authority for Salafi-Jihadi actors who typically operate beyond the framework of the state. It allowed them to delegitimise their opponents for not having displayed adequate levels of al-walā’ wa-l-barā’, while presenting themselves as the custodians of a pure, unadulterated form of Islam.

More than any of the other ideas already explored in this book it is clear that the evolution of al-walā’ wa-l-barā’ has been driven and shaped principally by conflict. It is an indelible characteristic, present at every turn and stage of its conceptual development. Having emerged as a tool of political mobilisation during the incipient phases of the modern Saudi state, whenever subjected to the stresses of political unrest and conflict it has mutated into an evermore doctrinaire and demanding idea.

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