Abstract
Salafis’ everyday lives, social relations, and attitudes towards both Muslims and non-Muslims are often shaped implicitly or explicitly by the theological concept of al-wala’ wa-l-bara’ (“loyalty and disavowal”). It indicates whom to be loyal to on the one hand, and whom to disavow on the other hand—or from which persons, deeds, and practices one should distance oneself. However, within the highly heterogeneous spectrum of Salafi orientations, beliefs, and religious practices, interpretations of al-wala’ and al-bara’ differ as well as its actual relevance and its implications for concrete life situations. This article explores how Muslims in Germany who identify themselves with non-violent, so-called ‘purist Salafism’ perceive and practice social relations, social closeness, or separation in their everyday lives by drawing implicitly or explicitly on principles of loyalty and disavowal. Based on qualitative interviews and participant observations (data gathered between 2014 and 2018), we shed light on how individuals’ ideas of loyalty and disavowal intersect with issues of identity, belonging, inclusion, and exclusion. The article thus shows how local interpretations and implementations of a Salafi core concept are strongly interwoven with realities of everyday life.
Highlights
Salafis’ everyday lives, social relations, and attitudes towards both Muslims and non-Muslims are often shaped implicitly or explicitly by the theological concept of al-wala’ wa-l-bara’
Interview with Murad, 10 July 2017. This is how Murad, a preacher in a mosque and one of our interview partners, put it in a nutshell when we asked him about al-wala’ wa-l-bara’ (“loyalty and disavowal”)—a theological concept which has often been described as a core element of Salafi doctrines
Before diving deeper into the possible meanings and functions of this concept, it is important to note that the label “Salafi” is problematic for various reasons, especially because it may make Salafis appear as a homogeneous group; and because Salafism is increasingly equated with radicalism
Summary
“Well, al-wala’ wa-l-bara’ is important for everyone. There is nobody who says that it is unimportant. 208), who lived at the time of the Mongol invasion, further warned that Muslims should ally themselves with other Muslims in conflict situations, even if the others had done them wrong, because “injustice does not separate the bond of faith” It was not until the twentieth century that al-wala’ wa-l-bara’ became a fixed term by Saudi scholars, describing the concept of “being loyal and believing in every way to Islam and its followers and keeping a distance from anything (or anyone) deviating from it” Writings of Salafi scholars in Saudi Arabia or other majority-Muslim countries who propagate al-wala’ wa-l-bara’ in the form of a strict disavowal from un-Islamic practices and distance from unbelievers (portrayed as enemies of Islam), or even call upon to express open enmity towards infidels as proof of loyalty towards God Questions of leaving the non-Muslim country of residence and questions of visibility in non-Muslim societies, of pedagogy and family life, and debates on belief and unbelief will be touched on
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