Al-Buti`s perspective on the Syrian Revolution of 2011 : an analytical study

Abstract

The Syrian Revolution of 2011, influenced by the wave of ‘Arab Spring,’ created a deep schism among Sunni Muslim ‘ulama who played a prominent role in encouraging /discouraging protests and, later on, the rebellion. This research seeks to explore the perspective of Muhammad Sa‘id Ramadan al-Būtī (1929–2013) on the Revolution. Al-Būtī, a highly esteemed religious scholar, who contributed substantially to the contemporary Muslim scholarship, refused to be one of those who recognized and gave a hand to protestors. Rather, he viewed the Revolution as religiously illegitimate and politically oriented thereby creating an ongoing debate not only in Syria but also in the Arab as well as the Muslim world. A great number of scholars, Syrian and non-Syrian, have interpreted al-Būtī’s stance as a full support of the regime. They cite his earlier similar position against the Muslim Brotherhood Movement in Syria in the 1980s. Others, however, argue that al-Būtī’s opinion, from a purely religious point of view, does not necessarily espouse the government’s appalling crimes. The research employs textual and contextual analysis. Both methods of study work hand in hand to create a better understanding of al-Būtī’s case. Therefore, the research, after providing a detailed account of al-Būtī’s discourse on the Revolution, critically examines ta‘at al-hākim (the ruler’s obedience), along with the concept of fitna, (both lying at the heart of al-Būṭī’s discussion) re-situating ‘obedience’ in its rightful context in the contemporary Islamic political thought within the rights/duties of both the ruler and the ruled. On the other hand, the research evaluates al-Būtī’s critical view on contemporary Islamists who, according to him, have misapplied the Islamic law and sacrificed da‘wah in favour of political gains. The central aim is to discover whether al-Būṭī’s hardline against those Islamists is a product of pro-regime stance or of religiously justified reasons. The research discovered there are seven issues disapproved by al-Būṭī which appear to be shared by all extreme Islamist groups of today. To judge or evaluate an Islamist movement/ party as moderate or extreme, these issues are the best yardstick. The research concludes that al-Būtī is more of an independent scholar than a sycophant or an ally of autocratic and secularist regime. There are particular points of view, nevertheless, in al-Būṭī’s discourse, which have been found lacking in balanced treatment and convincing argumentation. Further, the research concludes that, instead of armed rebellion which has been much worse for the community than tyranny could ever be, modern peaceful means and mechanisms need to be followed.