Muhammad Surur

Muhammad Surur
TitleShaykh, Imam, Allamah
Personal
Born1938 (1938)
Hawran, Syria
Died2016 (aged 77–78)
Doha, Qatar
ReligionIslam
DenominationSunni
CreedAthari
MovementSalafi
Sahwa movement
Muslim leader
Influenced by
Influenced

Muhammad Surur bin Nayif Zayn al-'Abidin (Arabic: محمد سرور بن نايف زين العابدين; 1938 – 11 November 2016)[1] was a former member of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood.[2] He is credited with establishing the Salafi Islamist movement known as Sururism (or Sururi), which combines "the organisational methods and political worldview of the Muslim Brotherhood with the theological puritanism of Wahhabism."[3] This movement is noted for its significant role in advancing a politicized version of Wahhabism in Saudi Arabia. Surur called for non-violent criticism of Muslim rulers but opposed efforts to overthrow regimes in Muslim countries, viewing such actions sources of fitna (civil strife and chaos).[4] In 1984, he authored the widely read anti-Shia book Wa Ja'a Dawr al-Majus (Arabic: وجاء دور المجوس, lit. 'The Era of the Magians Has Come').[5] This book posits the Iranian Revolution as a strategy for Shiite domination of the Middle East.[6] His writings notably influenced Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq.[7]

Life[edit]

He was born in the Hawran region.[8] In the mid-1960s, while still affiliated with the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, Surur began to express criticism of the group, such as its acceptance of members from the Sufi Brotherhood.[1] These disagreements contributed to his decision to relocate to Saudi Arabia in 1965.[9] However, after being expelled from Saudi Arabia in 1974 due to reports labelling his activities as subversive,[10] he moved to Kuwait. There, he established the Dar al-Arqam publishing house.[11] In 1984, Suror settled in the United Kingsom, where he established the Center for Islamic Studies.[12] His final relocation was to Jordan in 2004.[13]

Influence[edit]

Surur admired Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Al ash-Sheikh and was himself initially admired by Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi—who later considered him to be too lenient towards the Muslim rulers.[14] Surur has also influenced Salman al-Ouda.[15]

After the death of Muhammad Surur in Doha, Abdulrazzaq al-Mahdi released condolences upon him and commented on his impact.[16]

Works[edit]

  • Wa Ja'a Dawr al-Majus (The Era of the Magians Has Come)
  • Al-salafiyya bayna al-wula wal-ghula (Salafism between the Rulers and the Extremists)[17]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Haykel, Bernard; Hegghammer, Thomas; Lacroix, Stéphane, eds. (31 Jan 2015). Saudi Arabia in Transition: Insights on Social, Political, Economic and Religious Change. Cambridge University Press. p. 171. ISBN 9781316194195.
  2. ^ Hassan, Hassan (November 13, 2016). "Muhammad Surur and the normalisation of extremism". The Nation.
  3. ^ Moghadam, Assaf; Fishman, Brian, eds. (10 May 2011). Fault Lines in Global Jihad: Organizational, Strategic, and Ideological Fissures. Taylor & Francis. p. 187. ISBN 9781136710582.
  4. ^ Joas Wagemakers (11 Jun 2012). A Quietist Jihadi: The Ideology and Influence of Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi. Cambridge University Press. pp. 34, 77. ISBN 9781139510899.
  5. ^ Moghadam, Assaf; Fishman, Brian, eds. (10 May 2011). Fault Lines in Global Jihad: Organizational, Strategic, and Ideological Fissures. Taylor & Francis. pp. 187–8. ISBN 9781136710582.
  6. ^ Khatib, Lina; Lust, Ellen, eds. (16 Apr 2014). Taking to the Streets: The Transformation of Arab Activism (illustrated, reprint ed.). JHU Press. p. 318. ISBN 9781421413112.
  7. ^ Jerrold D. Green; Frederic M. Wehrey; Charles Wolf (2009). Understanding Iran. Rand Corporation. p. 121. ISBN 9780833045584.
  8. ^ Stephane Lacroix; George Holoch (2011). Awakening Islam (illustrated ed.). Harvard University Press. p. 69. ISBN 9780674049642.
  9. ^ John Calvert (22 Nov 2009). Sayyid Qutb and the Origins of Radical Islamism. Oxford University Press. p. 276. ISBN 9780199326877.
  10. ^ Stephane Lacroix; George Holoch (2011). Awakening Islam (illustrated ed.). Harvard University Press. p. 70. ISBN 9780674049642.
  11. ^ Stephane Lacroix; George Holoch (2011). Awakening Islam (illustrated ed.). Harvard University Press. p. 293. ISBN 9780674049642.
  12. ^ Stephane Lacroix; George Holoch (2011). Awakening Islam (illustrated ed.). Harvard University Press. p. 154. ISBN 9780674049642.
  13. ^ Haykel, Bernard; Hegghammer, Thomas; Lacroix, Stéphane, eds. (31 Jan 2015). Saudi Arabia in Transition: Insights on Social, Political, Economic and Religious Change. Cambridge University Press. pp. 171–2. ISBN 9781316194195.
  14. ^ Joas Wagemakers (11 Jun 2012). A Quietist Jihadi: The Ideology and Influence of Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi. Cambridge University Press. pp. 77, 239. ISBN 9781139510899.
  15. ^ Robert G. Rabil (26 Sep 2014). Salafism in Lebanon: From Apoliticism to Transnational Jihadism. Georgetown University Press. p. 55. ISBN 9781626161177.
  16. ^ Hassan, Hassan (2 December 2016). Twitter https://twitter.com/hxhassan/status/804946242874802176. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ^ Stephane Lacroix; George Holoch (2011). Awakening Islam (illustrated ed.). Harvard University Press. p. 331. ISBN 9780674049642.
  • Stephane Lacroix; George Holoch (2011). Awakening Islam (illustrated ed.). Harvard University Press. p. 315. ISBN 9780674049642.

External links[edit]

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