“<i>Fasad</i>, <i>Hijra</i> and Warlike Diaspora” from the Geographic Boundaries of Early Islam to a New <i>Dar al-Hikma</i>: Europe

This paper aims to emphasize the influence that &#8220;Classic&#8222; Islamic Thought had on the contemporary European-Islamic one regarding the conceptualization and action of emigration (<i>hijra</i>-<i>hajara</i>) through the geographical and juridical redefinition...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Marco Demichelis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-04-01
Series:Religions
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/10/4/277
Description
Summary:This paper aims to emphasize the influence that &#8220;Classic&#8222; Islamic Thought had on the contemporary European-Islamic one regarding the conceptualization and action of emigration (<i>hijra</i>-<i>hajara</i>) through the geographical and juridical redefinition of the Old Continent as a new &#8220;house&#8222; (<i>dar/bayt</i>) in hosting a Muslim population. The analysis should also be considered in relation to the sectarian and violent phase which followed the peaceful one of the so-called &#8220;Arab Spring&#8222; and the current deflagration of part of the Middle East. During the proto-Islamic historical phase, the term <i>muhajirun</i> was adopted to define those who made the <i>hijra</i>, referring to the prophet Muhammad&#8217;s followers in 622. They aimed to live according to religious behaviour and started to be different from their polytheist society of origin; the same term was also used to categorize those who partially populated the new conquered territories in the following decades: Syria, Egypt, Mesopotamia, the Iranian plateau, etc., and who decided to take root and become in-urbanized. The contemporary juridical, political, and religious perception, before and after 2011, started to consider a different &#8220;emigration&#8222; perspective, which, not so differently from the original <i>hijra</i> conceptualization, is rooted in abandoning a land of warlike and sectarian violence to reach a geography where individual religious affiliation can be safeguarded.
ISSN:2077-1444