Islam and the Arab revolutions : the ulama between democracy and autocracy / Usaama al-Azami

Includes bibliographical references and index

Introduction -- 1. Yusuf al-Qaradawi: Early Supporter of the Arab Revolutions (January 2011) -- 2. Qaradawi and the Egyptian Revolution (January-February 2011) -- 3. Ali Gomaa, Ahmad al-Tayyib, and Ali al-Jifri: The Early Opposition to the Egyptian Revolution (January-February 2011) -- 4. Hamza Yusuf and Abdallah bin Bayyah: From Support to Opposition (January 2011-February 2013) -- 5. Ali Gomaa and the Counter-Revolutionary Massacres (June 2012-August 2013) -- 6. Azharīs Opposed to the Coup and Counter Revolutions (June-July 2013) -- 7. Ali Gomaa: Celebrating the Rabaa Massacre (August 2013-January 2017) -- 8. The Reactions of Anti-Coup Ulama to the Rabaa Massacre (August-October 2013) -- 9. Understanding Counter-Revolutionary Fatwas and Their Ramifications beyond Egypt -- Conclusion.

The Arab revolutions of 2011 were a transformative moment in the modern history of the Middle East, as people rose up against long-standing autocrats throughout the region to call for 'bread, freedom and dignity'. With the passage of time, results have been decidedly mixed, with tentative success stories like Tunisia contrasting with the emergence of even more repressive dictatorships in places like Egypt, with the backing of several Gulf states. Focusing primarily on Egypt, this book considers a relatively understudied dimension of these the role of prominent religious scholars. While pro-revolutionary ulama have justified activism against authoritarian regimes, counter-revolutionary scholars have provided religious backing for repression, and in some cases the mass murder of unarmed protestors. Usaama al-Azami traces the public engagements and religious pronouncements of several prominent ulama in the region, including Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Ali Gomaa and Abdullah bin Bayyah, to explore their role in either championing the Arab revolutions or supporting their repression. He concludes that while a minority of noted scholars have enthusiastically endorsed the counter-revolutions, their approach is attributable less to premodern theology and more to their distinctly modern commitment to the authoritarian state.