Searching for a King: Muslim Nonviolence and the Future of Islam

by Jeffry R. Halverson

At a time when violent images of the Muslim world dominate our headlines, Western audiences are growing increasingly interested in a different picture of Islam, specifically the idea of Muslim nonviolence, and what it could mean for the world. But is nonviolence compatible with the teachings of Islam? Is it practical to suggest that Muslim societies must adopt nonviolence to thrive in today s world? Where is the Muslim equivalent of a Mahatma Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr.? "Searching for a King" offers a comprehensive look into Islamic conceptions of nonviolence, its modern champions, and their readings of Islam s sacred texts, including the Qur an and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad.Jeffry R. Halverson asserts that the foundation for nonviolence in Islam already exists. He points to the exemplary lives and teachings of modern Muslim champions of nonviolence, little known in the Western world. Using rich historical narratives and data from leading international agencies, he also makes the case that by eliminating the high costs of warfare, nonviolence opens the door to such important complementary initiatives as microfinancing and women s education programs. Ultimately, Halverson endorses Muslim champions of nonviolence and argues for the formulation of a nonviolent version of jihad as an active mode of social transformation.

Genres: Islam

188 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Jeffry R. Halverson is a professor of Religious Studies in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Coastal Carolina University (SC). Previously, he served as an assistant research professor in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University (Tempe).

Halverson is the author of Theology and Creed in Sunni Islam (Palgrave Macmillan, 2010), the lead author of Master Narratives of Islamist Extremism (Palgrave Macmillan, 2011), Islamists of the Maghreb (Routledge 2017), and the author of Searching for a King: Muslim Nonviolence and the Future of Islam (Potomac, 2012). He has also published in academic journals, including The Muslim World, The Journal of Communication, Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, Politics & Religion, and Media War & Conflict.

His debut novel, The Mural, was published in 2014.

Reviews

[Jean V. Naggar Literary · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Jeffry Halverson has written a book of extreme importance for our times. Searching for A King is a well-researched, meaningful, and much-needed volume that convincingly rebuts a narrative of violence that has for too long dominated discussions on Muslims and Islam. Offering a glimpse into the lives and works of five champions of peace, he reveals hidden beauties and realities that tell a different, inspiring story. Anyone who values peace and desires a more equal world owes it to themselves to read this book." --Nathan Lean, author of The Islamophobia Industry: How the Right Manufactures Fear of Muslims

[Qasim Khokhar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a skim reading. The author has challenged intractability of a small but violent segment of Muslims using peaceful teachings of Islam with equally non-violent interpretations by Five leading scholars of Islam who championed peace, tranquility, quietism, education, social transformation, and allying the enemies. The best chapter is on Mulana Wahiduddin Khan who emphasised on introspection, Hudabiya Treaty, forgiveness, dialogue, respecting enemies and benefitting from avenues offered by long spell of international peace, science, logic, technological advances and newfound interest of masses as well as intelligentsia in Emotional Intelligence.
Highly recommended to get a glimpse in peaceful islam. The book is explication of this command of Al-Quran (5:16)

يَهْدِى بِهِ ٱللَّهُ مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ رِضْوَٰنَهُۥ سُبُلَ ٱلسَّلَـٰمِ وَيُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ بِإِذْنِهِۦ وَيَهْدِيهِمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍۢ مُّسْتَقِيمٍۢ ١٦

Translation: By which Allāh guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace1 and brings them out from darknesses into the light, by His permission, and guides them to a straight path.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written account of nonviolence in twentieth century Muslim communities. Short but insightful!

[Mills College Library]

297.5697 H197 2012