Islamic Modernism and Saudi Arabia: Confluence or Conflict?

Abstract

Debates on Islamic modernism has its roots in Egypt, Iran and British India during the late nineteenth century as Muslim societies reacted to modern thought coming from the West. The Arabian Peninsula, more importantly its central region of Najd, remained secluded from such ideas as Wahhabi-Islam dominated the socio-political landscape. Once the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was formed, its founder Ibn Saud chose to introduce modern administrative, economic, scientific, educational and technological tools to stabilise the polity with aspiration to become a modernized state from a tribal political union. The alliance of Al Saud and Al Shaikh managed to align pre-dominant section of the society that accepted their Political legitimacy. Ibn Saud pioneered the method of ruling in the name of Islam and modernization. Subsequently, the monarchy stuck to the formula, using its commitment towards modernization and Islamic heritage as the means for sustaining the legitimacy. The process could be further strengthened due to generation of massive oil-wealth and gradual but sustained process of modernization. It, however, has impacted the individual and collective thought process of citizens leading to a change in people’s attitude and aspirations. In fact, modern judicial and political elements too have been introduced to adjust to changing realities, more so during the last two decades. This article raises the question whether the co-existence of Islam and modernity in the Saudi context can be seen as a confluence or it can only be seen through the lens of conflict? It argues that even though everything cannot be explained through an Islamic modernist perspective, it can best explain the process of reform and change being experienced in Saudi Arabia.