NEO- SALAFISM 1990 BY DR. ADESINA NURUDEEN

 

Dr. Adesina Nurudeen wrote: 

Chronicles of the modern day Neo-Salafism( Salafi 1990)

1. 1960s to 1980s

A period of powerful social and political reforms across Muslim world including Saudi Arabia known as Sahwa al Islamiyyah (Islamic awakening)

2. 1980s- The Sahwa principle echoes as الإسلام دين ودولة and influenced by Muslim brotherhood methodologies produced a strong and impressive approach that succeeded in attracting the youth and revolutionising Saudi society.

3. 1980s - Sahwa focused on building pride in the Muslim identity and a sense of responsibility towards Muslims in Saudi and around the world.

This was seen by the Saudi government in positive light, hence had a very good relationship with Sahwa and the brotherhood scholars ( including Sayyid Saabiq, Abubakar Al Jazaairiy and so on). The Sahwa movement also produced scholars like Salman Awdah (Now imprisoned by Saudi Government), Saiful Hawaali and many more.

The Sahwa movement benefitted Saudi government and Muslim world in Afghan Jihaad. The movement also helped Saudi Arabia government to ward off the threat of Islamic revolution of Iran.

4. 1990 to 1991- During the gulf war, A fatwa was issued in Saudi Arabia to allow American Military into the country against the army of Saddam Hussein, who already invaded Kuwait!

This didn’t go well with Some people and key figures in Sahwa movement. These people spoke against the government action. The government reacted in several ways:

A) Arrest and imprisonment of scholars who spoke against the American presence.

B ) Emergence and support for the state sponsored Anti- Sahwa scholars who issued fatwa to weaken some of Sahwa methodology.

Among these pro government scholars was Sheikh Rabee bn Haadi Al madkhali

That’s when the fatwa such as 100% loyalty to the monarchy, voting is haram and kufr” “don’t speak against the leader”, no protest and “Laa Jama’a” started becoming more prominent.

This reaction against the Sahwa was championed under the name of Salafiyyah across Saudi Arabia academic environment with government financial support. Hence many students graduated from the Islamic universities across the KSA with this methodology by default.

Many books were also written to propagate this anti- Sahwa under the banner “ let’s get back to the basis- Salafiyyah.

5. 1990 to 2000

This was championed passionately by sheikh Madkhali and his cohorts with financial support from Saudi government and beyond, hence the emergence of Salafi 1990/ Madkhalism or modern day Neo- Salafism.

Academic curriculum of some religious sciences courses in Saudi universities also influenced by this anti Sahwa ( Madkhalism) trends.

6. 2000 to 2015

Most graduates from Saudi universities went back to their countries and sponsored to preach the neo-salafis ideologies. These ideologies include tabdee or total kufr of anyone going against them.

7. 2015 to date:

Metamorphosis of some extreme forms of salafism in different countries that depicts anyone with opposite opinions on religious matter as not guided and sometimes as Kaafir.