Islam and the Problem of Israel

Last updated

Islam and the Problem of Israel
Cover of "Islam and the Problem of Israel".png
Cover of the 2003 edition
Author Ismail al-Faruqi
LanguageEnglish
Subject Islamic studies, Middle Eastern politics, Zionism
Published1980
PublisherIslamic Council of Europe
Publication placeUnited Kingdom
Media typePrint
Pages114
ISBN 9780907163022
OCLC 9105283
Preceded by Christian Ethics: A Historical and Systematic Analysis of Its Dominant Ideas (1967) 
Followed by Al-Tawhid: Its Implications for Thought and Life (1982) 

Islam and the Problem of Israel is a book by Ismail Raji al-Faruqi, first published in 1980 by the Islamic Council of Europe. The book examines the historical and contemporary issues surrounding the state of Israel from an Islamic perspective. [1]

Contents

Background

Ismail al-Faruqi, a Palestinian-American philosopher and scholar, wrote this book to explore the complex issues arising from the establishment of Israel and its impact on the Muslim world. Al-Faruqi, known for his work in Islamic studies, aimed to provide a thorough analysis of Zionism and its implications. [2]

Contents

The book is divided into several chapters, each focusing on different aspects of the problem. Key chapters include:

Chapter I: The Three-Cornered Nature of the Problem

Al-Faruqi discusses how the issue of Israel involves three main parties: the Muslim world, Western Christendom, and the Jews. He suggests that the problem cannot be viewed merely as modern colonialism or a repetition of the Crusades but as a unique and complex situation. [1]

Chapter II: Aperçu of Jewish History in the Christian West

This chapter provides an overview of Jewish history in the Christian West before the Emancipation. Al-Faruqi examines the Christian reinterpretation of Jewish history, particularly how the narrative of Jesus' crucifixion influenced Christian-Jewish relations. [1]

Chapter III: The Emancipation and Its Aftermath

Al-Faruqi explores the period of Jewish emancipation and the challenges Jews faced in Europe. He highlights the tension between assimilation and maintaining Jewish identity, discussing the dilemmas that arose from these conflicting pressures. [1]

Chapter IV: The Romantic Relapse of Europe

This chapter discusses the resurgence of romanticism in Europe and its impact on Jewish thought and identity. Al-Faruqi explains how European romanticism contributed to the development of Zionism and influenced Jewish intellectuals. [1]

Chapter V: Zionism: The European Jew’s Counsel of Despair

Al-Faruqi delves into the origins and motivations behind Zionism, describing it as a response to the existential dilemmas faced by European Jews. He portrays Zionism as a movement born out of despair and a desire for security. [1]

Chapter VI: Jewish Universalism and Ethnocentrism

This chapter contrasts Judaism's universalist and ethnocentrist strands, discussing how these differing perspectives have influenced Jewish thought and Zionist ideology. [1]

Chapter VII: Zionism as Religion

Al-Faruqi explores the religious aspects of Zionism, explaining how it has been shaped by European romanticism and secularism. He discusses how Zionism reinterprets Jewish tradition and identity. [1]

Chapter VIII: Zionism as Politics

Al-Faruqi examines the political strategies of Zionism before and after World War I. He discusses the Balfour Declaration, the British Mandate in Palestine, and the various tactics used by Zionists to acquire land and establish a Jewish state. [1]

Chapter IX: Islam and Judaism

This chapter explores the historical and theological relationships between Islam and Judaism. Al-Faruqi discusses the Islamic critique of Jewish practices and the historical interactions between Muslims and Jews. [1]

Chapter X: Islam and Zionism

Al-Faruqi concludes by presenting an Islamic perspective on Zionism, discussing its perceived injustices against both non-Jews and Jews. He proposes solutions for resolving the conflict, including the concept of de-Zionization. [1]

Themes

Al-Faruqi's central theme is the critique of Zionism from an Islamic perspective. He argues that Zionism is not just a political movement but also has significant religious and cultural implications. The book discusses the historical roots of Zionism, its development, and its effects on both Jews and Palestinians. Al-Faruqi also explores the theological differences between Islam and Judaism and how these have been affected by the conflict. [2] [3]

Reception

The book has been influential in Islamic scholarly circles and among those interested in Middle Eastern politics. It has been praised for its in-depth analysis and comprehensive approach to a complex issue. However, it has also faced criticism from those who view it as biased against Zionism and the state of Israel. [2] [3] [4]

Publication

Islam and the Problem of Israel was first published in 1980 by the Islamic Council of Europe. A later edition was published in 2003 by The Other Press in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zionism</span> Movement supporting a Jewish state in Palestine

Zionism is an ethno-cultural nationalist movement that emerged in Europe in the late 19th century and aimed for the establishment of a Jewish state through the colonization of a land outside of Europe. It eventually focused on the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, a region corresponding to the Land of Israel in Judaism, and of central importance in Jewish history. Zionists wanted to create a Jewish state in Palestine with as much land, as many Jews, and as few Palestinian Arabs as possible. Following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Zionism became Israel's national or state ideology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neturei Karta</span> Anti-Zionist Haredi Jewish religious group

Neturei Karta is a Haredi Jewish group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Islamic–Jewish relations</span>

Islamic–Jewish relations comprise the human and diplomatic relations between Jewish people and Muslims in the Arabian Peninsula, Northern Africa, the Middle East, and their surrounding regions. Jewish–Islamic relations may also refer to the shared and disputed ideals between Judaism and Islam, which began roughly in the 7th century CE with the origin and spread of Islam in the Arabian peninsula. The two religions share similar values, guidelines, and principles. Islam also incorporates Jewish history as a part of its own. Muslims regard the Children of Israel as an important religious concept in Islam. Moses, the most important prophet of Judaism, is also considered a prophet and messenger in Islam. Moses is mentioned in the Quran more than any other individual, and his life is narrated and recounted more than that of any other prophet. There are approximately 43 references to the Israelites in the Quran, and many in the Hadith. Later rabbinic authorities and Jewish scholars such as Maimonides discussed the relationship between Islam and Jewish law. Maimonides himself, it has been argued, was influenced by Islamic legal thought.

Arab Jews is a term for Jews living in or originating from the Arab world. Many left or were expelled from Arab countries in the decades following the founding of Israel in 1948, and took up residence in Israel, Western Europe, the United States and Latin America. The term is controversial and politically contested in Israel, where the term "Mizrahi Jews" was adopted by the early state instead. However, some anti-Zionist Jews of Arab origin actively elect to call themselves Arab Jews.

Jewish political movements refer to the organized efforts of Jews to build their own political parties or otherwise represent their interest in politics outside the Jewish community. From the time of the siege of Jerusalem by the Romans to the foundation of Israel the Jewish people had no territory, and, until the 19th century they by-and-large were also denied equal rights in the countries in which they lived. Thus, until the 19th century effort for the emancipation of the Jews, almost all Jewish political struggles were internal, and dealt primarily with either religious issues or issues of a particular Jewish community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palestinian Jews</span> Pre-1948 Jewish inhabitants of Palestine

Palestinian Jews or Jewish Palestinians were the Jewish inhabitants of the Palestine region prior to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abraham Yahuda</span> Old Yishuv linguist (1877–1951)

Abraham Shalom Yahuda was a Jewish polymath, teacher, writer, researcher, linguist, and collector of rare documents.

As an organized nationalist movement, Zionism is generally considered to have been founded by Theodor Herzl in 1897. However, the history of Zionism began earlier and is intertwined with Jewish history and Judaism. The organizations of Hovevei Zion, held as the forerunners of modern Zionist ideals, were responsible for the creation of 20 Jewish towns in Palestine between 1870 and 1897.

In world politics, Jewish state is a characterization of Israel as the nation-state and sovereign homeland for the Jewish people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intercommunal conflict in Mandatory Palestine</span> 1920–1948 conflict between Arabs and Jews in Palestine

During the British rule in Mandatory Palestine, there was civil, political and armed struggle between Palestinian Arabs and the Jewish Yishuv, beginning from the violent spillover of the Franco-Syrian War in 1920 and until the onset of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. The conflict shifted from sectarian clashes in the 1920s and early 1930s to an armed Arab Revolt against British rule in 1936, armed Jewish Revolt primarily against the British in mid-1940s and finally open war in November 1947 between Arabs and Jews.

Muslim supporters of Israel refers to both Muslims and cultural Muslims who support the right to self-determination of the Jewish people and the likewise existence of a Jewish homeland in the Southern Levant, traditionally known as the Land of Israel and corresponding to the modern polity known as the State of Israel. Muslim supporters of the Israeli state are widely considered to be a rare phenomenon in light of the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict and the larger Arab–Israeli conflict. Within the Muslim world, the legitimacy of the State of Israel has been challenged since its inception, and support for Israel's right to exist is a minority orientation. Pro-Israel Muslims have faced opposition from both moderate Muslims and Islamists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anti-Zionism</span> Opposition to Zionism

Anti-Zionism is opposition to Zionism. Although anti-Zionism is a heterogeneous phenomenon, all its proponents agree that the creation of the modern State of Israel, and the movement to create a sovereign Jewish state in the region of Palestine—a region partly coinciding with the biblical Land of Israel—was flawed or unjust in some way.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Religious anti-Zionism</span> Opposition to the State of Israel within religious contexts

While anti-Zionism usually utilizes ethnic and political arguments against the existence or policies of the state of Israel, anti-Zionism has also been expressed within religious contexts which have, at times, colluded and collided with the ethnopolitical arguments over Israel's legitimacy. Outside of the liberal and socialist fields of anti-Zionist currents, the religious arguments tend to predominate as the driving ideological power within the incumbent movements and organizations, and usually target the Israeli state's relationship with Judaism.

Judaism's doctrines and texts have sometimes been associated with violence or anti-violence. Laws requiring the eradication of evil, sometimes using violent means, exist in the Jewish tradition. However, Judaism also contains peaceful texts and doctrines. There is often a juxtaposition of Judaic law and theology to violence and nonviolence by groups and individuals. Attitudes and laws towards both peace and violence exist within the Jewish tradition. Throughout history, Judaism's religious texts or precepts have been used to promote as well as oppose violence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ismail al-Faruqi</span> Palestinian-American Islamic scholar

Ismail Raji al-Faruqi was a Palestinian-American philosopher who worked extensively in Islamic studies and interfaith dialogue. He spent several years at Al-Azhar University in Cairo and taught at universities in North America, including McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Al-Faruqi was a professor of religion at Temple University, where he founded and chaired the Islamic Studies program. He also founded the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT). Al-Faruqi authored over 100 articles and 25 books, including Christian Ethics: A Historical and Systematic Analysis of Its Dominant Ideas (1967) and Al-Tawhid: Its Implications for Thought and Life (1982).

This timeline of anti-Zionism chronicles the history of anti-Zionism, including events in the history of anti-Zionist thought.

<i>Urubah and Religion</i> 1962 book by Ismail Raji al-Faruqi

'Urubah and Religion: A Study of the Fundamental Ideas of Arabism and of Islam as Its Highest Moment of Consciousness (1962) is a scholarly work by Isma'il Raji al-Faruqi, published by Djambatan N.V. The book explores the concept of Arabism ('urubah), examining its historical, ethical, and spiritual dimensions, and its relationship with Islam. Al-Faruqi describes Arabism as central to Islamic history, culture, and faith, characterizing it as "the spirit which animates the stream and gives the momentum" to Islamic values. The book was intended to be the first volume in the "On Arabism" series, which was to explore themes of art, society, and human existence concerning Arabism. However, these subsequent volumes were not completed as al-Faruqi eventually focused on broader Islamic thought and moved away from the specific framework of Arabism.

<i>Christian Ethics</i> (book) 1967 book by Ismail Raji al-Faruqi

Christian Ethics: A Historical and Systematic Analysis of Its Dominant Ideas (1967) is a scholarly work by Isma'il Raji al-Faruqi, first published in 1967. It explores Christian ethical thought from both historical and systematic perspectives, analyzing its development and key ideas. This work is part of a broader series by al-Faruqi that examines religious and ethical principles across different faiths. The book is noted for its critical stance on the development of Christian theological doctrines and its advocacy for a rational, coherent ethical framework. The publisher emphasized the unique value of this work as the first major Muslim attempt to examine Christian dogma and ethics on their own terms. The book has been reviewed and critiqued by various scholars, including a notable review from a Christian perspective.

<i>Al-Tawhid: Its Implications for Thought and Life</i> 1982 book by Ismail Raji al-Faruqi

Al-Tawhid: Its Implications for Thought and Life is a book by Isma'il Raji al-Faruqi, first published in 1982. The work explores the central Islamic concept of Tawhid, the oneness and unity of God, and its implications for various aspects of life and thought.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Ismail Raji al-Faruqi (1980). Islam and the Problem of Israel. Islamic Council of Europe.
  2. 1 2 3 John L. Esposito (1991). "Ismail R. al-Faruqi: Muslim Scholar-Activist". In Yvonne Yazbeck Haddad (ed.). The Muslims of America. Oxford University Press. pp. 65–79.
  3. 1 2 Abu Rabi, Ibrahim M. (1992). "Review: Israel and the Palestinians: Muslim and Jewish Perspectives". Islamic Studies. 31 (2): 235–245.
  4. Abu-Lughod, Ibrahim (1982). "Review: Studies on the Islamic Assertion: A Review Essay". Arab Studies Quarterly. 4 (1/2). Pluto Journals: 157–175.
  5. Ismail Raji al-Faruqi (2003). Islam and the Problem of Israel. Kuala Lumpur: The Other Press.