Neo-Ottomanism and Neo-Salafism: A case comparison of Fathullah Gülen and Yusuf al-Qaradawi

The title is a research paper by Usef Torabi and Mahdi Pirozfar published in “Journal of Islamic World Studies”, Volume 5, Issue 11 - Serial Number 11, Summer and Autumn 2018, Pages 175-196. The following is an excerpt from its abstract.

Neo-Ottomanism and neo-Salafism today

Neo-Ottomanism and neo-Salafism and their various interpretations are among the most important issues of today's scholars of the Islamic world. Among the scholars who have views in this area, Fethullah Gülen, the originator of social Islam, and Yusuf al-Qaradawi, a prominent Sunni Muslim thinker, are pointed out who have had social and political reflections among the intellectual and political currents of the Sunni brothers.

Methodology

The approach taken in this research is comparative using a descriptive-analytical method.

Finding

The comparison of these two thinkers reflects their similarities and perceptual distinctions about Islam and consequently, the comparison of Gülen's neo-Ottomanist thinking with the Brotherhood's neo-Salafi plans (ideas) showed that their views on religion and the state are completely contradictory. Gülen considers Islam to be a heart affair and separate from politics, while Qaradawi calls the separation of religion and politics alien to Islam. So although Gülen promotes secularism, Qaradawi believes that secularism has never been accepted in Islam. In terms of similarities, Gulen and Qaradawi's views on democracy are closely related, and both accept democracy; in this respect, Gulen and Qaradawi (both) view women as elements of civil society, but Unlike Gulen, Qaradawi considers that observation of all Islamic regulations is a prerequisite for the presence of women in society. Gülen recommends a neo-Ottomanism that is mixed with ethnic and racial values and opposes the principles of the Islamic United Ummah in the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad's Sire, whereas Qaradawi does not consider any gentilty or originality for ethnicity and race and he believes in the originality of the Islamic Ummah, which is closer to Islamic principles.