Islamic Apocalypticism in the Twentieth Century and Beyond
Society, Politics and Technology in a Century of Change
An unprecedented and comprehensive discussion of Islamic apocalyptic and messianic thought in the 20th-century Middle East
- Brings to light numerous unstudied Arabic-language texts, published throughout the long 20th century, that discuss apocalypse
- Highlights previously undiscussed debates about Islamic apocalypticism and messianic thought in the 20th-century Middle East
- Demonstrates how prominent religious scholars and authors engaged with apocalyptic themes to understand 20th-century political, social, and technological developments
- Corrects notions that Islamic apocalypticism in the 20th century was solely militant or solely pacifistic
- Offers new categories for the study of Islamic apocalypticism and messianism
Since the late 1800s, apocalyptic thought in Sunnī Islam has produced a wide range of societal attitudes about modernity. For some, apocalyptic thought encouraged an optimistic investment in the idea of social progress; for others, it encouraged a total rejection of society. Some apocalyptic thinkers attempted to reform existing political institutions, while still others sought violent upheaval or conquest.
In highlighting the many faces of Islamic apocalypticism from the last decades of the 19th century to the present era, this book dispels the notion that apocalyptic Islamic writings had a single fixed program. Moreover, it proposes new categories for understanding the relationship between Islamic apocalyptic thought and the political, social and technological changes of the long 20th century. Bringing to light numerous unstudied Arabic texts and considering previously undiscussed debates, this book corrects misconceptions about Islamic apocalypticism and enables a better understanding of the variety of thought that appears in apocalyptic materials published throughout the Arab World.
Acknowledgements
Notes on Transliteration
Introduction: The Nature of Apocalyptic Thought in Islam
1. Apocalypse and Religious Reform
2. The Rehabilitation of Hadith Traditions
3. Apocalypse and the Rise of Political Islam
4. Apocalypse in the Service of Islamic Governance
Conclusion: Apocalyptic Thought in the Digital Age
Bibliography
Index
The first authoritative and comprehensive account of Muslim apocalyptic literature, ideas, and movements in the modern era. Rikab’s study marks a milestone in the study of modern Islamic apocalypticism, bringing analytical clarity and rigor to a subject of immense importance in modern Islam.
