Islam Rediscovered
12. Islamic Fundamentalism
~ 191 ~
12. ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM
Islamic fundamentalism is a recent phenomenon.
While studying it we must first of all understand
that the term ‘Islamic fundamentalism’ has not been
derived from the Islamic scriptures, nor does any
group of Muslims approve of being given the
appellation of ‘Islamic fundamentalists.’ This term
is somewhat similar to that of ‘Uncle Sam’ as
applied to Americans by non-Americans.
Americans do not identify themselves with this
term.
Though this term was given to Muslims by non-
Muslims, the phenomenon for which the term
Islamic fundamentalism is used is indeed a reality.
There is a considerable number of Muslims in the
world of today whose thinking and actions add up
to what is meant by the term fundamentalism.
That is why a detailed study of its principles and
practices must be made in order to evaluate this
way of thinking and the movements spawned by it,
which are highly active all over the world under
one name or another.
