Fiqh al-azma: Crisis Management of Theological Discourse in Syria

Abstract

In the context of the ongoing civil war in Syria, the official Muslim clergy of the country, represented by the Ministry of Waqf Affairs, has developed a number of theological and legal resolutions on the most pressing issues, united by the common names Fiqh al-Azma (“crisis theology”). They pay special attention to the issues of criticism of takfirism, non-denominationalism, nationalism, explaining the meaning of jihād, the prohibition of riots and revolutions, the religious legitimacy of the national state, interreligious and interfaith dialogue and collaboration within one country, the differentiation of the concepts of Islamic politics and political Islam. This study analyzes the sources and methodology of constructing this theological concept, which, according to the developers themselves, is an example of a moderate renewal (tajdīd) of Islamic theological discourse, the main purpose of which is to confront Fiqh al-Fitnah “theology of turmoil” preached by various extremist groups. The paper also examines an example of one of the most original studies — on the principles of citizenship (muwāṭana) according to Islam, which largely incorporates the main features of the entire concept of Syrian crisis theology.