SJMethod · Uncharted Anti-Radicalism Strategies: Challenging the Interpretative and Hermeneutical Methodologies of the Salafi-Jihadi Theology

Uncharted Anti-Radicalism Strategies: Challenging the Interpretative and Hermeneutical Methodologies of the Salafi-Jihadi Theology

The emergence of the Salafi-Jihadi theology, embodied by groups such as affiliates Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, and IS, is the result of a complex socio-political context, but also of a recent epistemological crisis that affected Muslim countries. The defining mark of this reductionist epistemology is its textualist-oriented hermeneutics that equates the human interpretation of Qur’an with the divine will. The existent research focusing on explaining and preventing the phenomenon of Islamic radicalization has paid scant attention on the hermeneutical methodologies and epistemological paradigms that make possible, in the first place, the S-J vision. Constructing the interpretative and hermeneutical methodological profile of the S-J theology creates a more detailed, multidimensional knowledge of the way S-J indoctrination strategies function, thereby offering new contents, approaches and technics for the anti-radicalization programs. The Salafi-Jihadi hermeneutics is defined, as a result of SJMethod, as a Qur’anic theory and methodology of interpretation that completely denies any interference of the human factor and/or limitation of the human comprehension on the following levels: on the level of the source of the revelation itself; on the level of the process of the revelation itself; on the level of the product of the revelation itself; on the level of the interpretation of the Text itself. The type of hermeneutics, rooted in such a view of theories of revelation and interpretative methodology, proves to be a teo-centric, logo-centric, truth-obsessed, static, dualistic, politically framed (constructing relations of power and subordination between the text and the reader) one. The highest vulnerability of the S-J authoritarian hermeneutics is that it completely ignores the complex and interactive process that takes place between the text, context and reader, process that it is responsible for the open and always contestable creation and negotiation of the Qur’anic meanings. Furthermore, it ignores other Islamic non-Qurano-centric epistemologies. By this strategy, S-J primitive interpretative methodology empowers its adherents to transfer their violent socio-political interests, gender and exclusivist salvation suppositions upon the Qur’an and demand obedience in the name of a divine power. The overarching research aim is to demonstrate the impact of the S-J interpretative and hermeneutical methodology on the construction of the violent S-J theology. In order to achieve this aim, the researcher employs an analytical framework comprising scriptural interpretational, hermeneutical, epistemological, feminist theological, sociotheological, ethical, identity theories, gender and masculinities studies standpoints. Special attention is paid to understanding the intersection between the Islamic theories of revelations and S-J epistemology.

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