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A Virtue Of Disobedience
A new work of political philosophy, in which Asim Qureshi reflects on injustice in the world he sees around him. Covering issues from torture and extrajudicial killings, to racism and discrimination, A Virtue of Disobedience takes the reader on a journey through the history of oppression, and begins a conversation about how previous acts of resistance and disobedience, through faith and virtue, can be liberating in the range of contemporary issues communities face today.
Also included in the book is the poem ‘A Virtue of Disobedience,’ by poet and writer Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan, who graduated from a history degree at Cambridge University and master’s in Postcolonial Studies at SOAS. She writes and speaks about politics, race, gender, feminism, Islam, being visibly Muslim, Eurocentric academia, decolonising minds and bodies, and more. (Suhaiymah will be contributing to an anthology of essays by hijab-wearing women in Britain called Cut From The Same Cloth.)
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
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470 people want to read
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April 4, 2023Felt like I’ve read this a dozen times through! Just finished recording the audiobook version. Hope to have it out soon ☺️
September 4, 2018
A beautiful conversation about how humanity can look backwards at history to reframe and liberate the contemporary in the light of injustice. Qureshi’s truthfulness, combined with his Islamic frame of reference in his critical analysis of current human rights issues made the book a thoroughly enjoyable read.
July 20, 2022
Shortly after I finished reading this book, news of innocent teenagers being shot dead in Togo by the military were reported. The teenagers were "mistaken" for terrorists and the military "issued an excuse" to the families. Their Muslim "appearance" seems to have triggered the killing.
The event in Togo shows how powerful narratives and discourses can be. In his book, Asim Qureshi show how important it is to engage in narratives and not only challenge the skewed and racist narratives about the disadvantaged and oppressed, but also have the courage to speak Truth and to build own narratives that stems from our own experiences, visions, values and interests.
Our biases, interests, previous experiences and readings creates a filter by which we understand what we read. This is also of course true for myself, and explains my focus in this review.
While I am reading this book, there is an absence of the narrative and demonization/extremization of dissent on a wider scale. Asim gives tons of examples of this, but somehow misses one of the most ummatic examples of extremization in modern times, namely that one being done to Kurds by Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria for decades. The narrative about Kurdish dissent and critique of the named states have been part of a terrorist-discourse for a long time, and it is not uncommon - quite the opposite - for Kurdish political activism being dismissed as extremist, terrorism or in many forms in terms identical to Islamophobic discourses. Kurdish activists being killed, imprisoned, demonized, hunted, persecuted and so on are so many - most of them for Speaking Truth To Power. It is not uncommon for Kurdish political activists to be dismissed because of guilt-by-association - as PKK, communists, non-Muslims and so on. One of the many forms narratives around Kurds are constructed by other Muslims is by an intense kafirization of Kurds, thereby dehumanizing Kurds as not worthy of ummatic support and consideration.
Asim brings up the ummatic aspect and emphasizes that an ummatic future can not be build on injustice. I agree with this point, and this is why I also choose to bring up Kurds. An ummah that reacts to narratives and discourses about Muslims, and, rightly, opposes the racist and Islamophobic attacks, killings, political decisions, structural racism and so on that they entail, cannot quietly ignore or even engage in the same type of narratives about Kurds or other people.
While I recognize that Asim Qureshi says nothing that would support an interpretation of this sort, his important book generates these thoughts and forces me to have conversations with his.
And this - the conversations I have had with the book - makes this book a very important book to read. It is near impossible to not ask, argue or get enlightened when reading.
The event in Togo shows how powerful narratives and discourses can be. In his book, Asim Qureshi show how important it is to engage in narratives and not only challenge the skewed and racist narratives about the disadvantaged and oppressed, but also have the courage to speak Truth and to build own narratives that stems from our own experiences, visions, values and interests.
Our biases, interests, previous experiences and readings creates a filter by which we understand what we read. This is also of course true for myself, and explains my focus in this review.
While I am reading this book, there is an absence of the narrative and demonization/extremization of dissent on a wider scale. Asim gives tons of examples of this, but somehow misses one of the most ummatic examples of extremization in modern times, namely that one being done to Kurds by Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria for decades. The narrative about Kurdish dissent and critique of the named states have been part of a terrorist-discourse for a long time, and it is not uncommon - quite the opposite - for Kurdish political activism being dismissed as extremist, terrorism or in many forms in terms identical to Islamophobic discourses. Kurdish activists being killed, imprisoned, demonized, hunted, persecuted and so on are so many - most of them for Speaking Truth To Power. It is not uncommon for Kurdish political activists to be dismissed because of guilt-by-association - as PKK, communists, non-Muslims and so on. One of the many forms narratives around Kurds are constructed by other Muslims is by an intense kafirization of Kurds, thereby dehumanizing Kurds as not worthy of ummatic support and consideration.
Asim brings up the ummatic aspect and emphasizes that an ummatic future can not be build on injustice. I agree with this point, and this is why I also choose to bring up Kurds. An ummah that reacts to narratives and discourses about Muslims, and, rightly, opposes the racist and Islamophobic attacks, killings, political decisions, structural racism and so on that they entail, cannot quietly ignore or even engage in the same type of narratives about Kurds or other people.
While I recognize that Asim Qureshi says nothing that would support an interpretation of this sort, his important book generates these thoughts and forces me to have conversations with his.
And this - the conversations I have had with the book - makes this book a very important book to read. It is near impossible to not ask, argue or get enlightened when reading.
September 15, 2019
An honest and deeply thoughtful book on the importance of working against injustice, even when the injustice stems from institutes of authority, e.g. agents of the government, the government itself, figures we thought we could trust and groups such as prevent who market themselves as the ‘good guys’ but in actuality have caused detrimental harm to many innocent lives.
Qureshi’s book is wonderfully written. It is packed with references to many other texts and speeches which I really appreciated because it allows the reader to get a sense of just how widely read the writer is and how informed his conclusions are (while also adding plenty more books to my reading list!). He also writes from personal experiences, many of which are shocking and are a testament to his good character and morality.
I also appreciated how deeply intertwined faith and activism are in this book. As Muslims, it’s not about picking between or faith or a stand against oppression, our faith actively teaches us to work against injustice wherever we witness it. Qureshi reminds the reader of their privileges, the privilege of our education, our safety, our ability to witness horror and turn away from it. He encourages us to instead to turn our ‘sympathy to empathy to action’. This is not something that can happen overnight, but a process of building our character and starting small, being more aware of the world around us and just a little braver every day.
‘Truth and truth-speaking are not just sited of resistance; the truth represents our constant. It is the constant in our equation of resistance. Without the truth, we cannot seek to undermine authority and displace tyranny for it is despots who deal mostly in the currency of lies.’
‘The other virtue that the truth-speaker needs is patience, for it is one thing being truthful, it is entirely another to have patience on that truth.’
Qureshi’s book is wonderfully written. It is packed with references to many other texts and speeches which I really appreciated because it allows the reader to get a sense of just how widely read the writer is and how informed his conclusions are (while also adding plenty more books to my reading list!). He also writes from personal experiences, many of which are shocking and are a testament to his good character and morality.
I also appreciated how deeply intertwined faith and activism are in this book. As Muslims, it’s not about picking between or faith or a stand against oppression, our faith actively teaches us to work against injustice wherever we witness it. Qureshi reminds the reader of their privileges, the privilege of our education, our safety, our ability to witness horror and turn away from it. He encourages us to instead to turn our ‘sympathy to empathy to action’. This is not something that can happen overnight, but a process of building our character and starting small, being more aware of the world around us and just a little braver every day.
‘Truth and truth-speaking are not just sited of resistance; the truth represents our constant. It is the constant in our equation of resistance. Without the truth, we cannot seek to undermine authority and displace tyranny for it is despots who deal mostly in the currency of lies.’
‘The other virtue that the truth-speaker needs is patience, for it is one thing being truthful, it is entirely another to have patience on that truth.’
November 1, 2018
This was such a great book - it's a collection of Qureshi's reflections on faith and contemporary issues relating to oppression, racism, and systems. He mulled over how virtuous disobedience can be achieved and how people in the past and present have lived out such disobediences. The poem by Suhaiymah at the start set the tone for the whole book. I know I will revisit this book again many times in the future.
November 7, 2022
FINALLY a book about struggle, racism, apartheid and activism with qoutes from mlk, malcom, assata, maya, angela, biko ++ put in an islamic context that explains the opression muslims face today. Muslim or not- read this!
April 14, 2019
Inspiring.
January 6, 2020
A civil rights handbook that draws on Said, Martin
Luther King and Apartheid amongst others, all discussed within a balanced, referenced framework of Islamic responsibilities.
I feel like this book needs to be read, remembered and re read in order to further understand oppression and our contribution to its avoidance. It’s hard to keep positive especially with so many injustices happening all over the world, but Qureshi (who writes about his experience with the oppressed) says that he is “...no longer as cynical as I used to be”. This gives me hope that we can unite and make a difference. I’d go further to say that this book motivates you to want to because it is our responsibility as humans to understand oppression and how we can help to eliminate it.
On a personal note, I write fiction to display differing perspectives of the effects of injustice, apartheid and hope, and I am always questioning whether I should continue to write but after reading this, I’m motivated to continue to try to effect change in whatever way I can.
Despite the subject being such an important one, the book is easy to digest, the background work hints of books I’ve read on Orientalism, Disaster Capitalism and more. Qureshi brings together his work in this format so it is readable and motivating for the everyday reader. This one will be in my top books of 2020 and I look forward to more of his work.
An absolute must read.
Luther King and Apartheid amongst others, all discussed within a balanced, referenced framework of Islamic responsibilities.
I feel like this book needs to be read, remembered and re read in order to further understand oppression and our contribution to its avoidance. It’s hard to keep positive especially with so many injustices happening all over the world, but Qureshi (who writes about his experience with the oppressed) says that he is “...no longer as cynical as I used to be”. This gives me hope that we can unite and make a difference. I’d go further to say that this book motivates you to want to because it is our responsibility as humans to understand oppression and how we can help to eliminate it.
On a personal note, I write fiction to display differing perspectives of the effects of injustice, apartheid and hope, and I am always questioning whether I should continue to write but after reading this, I’m motivated to continue to try to effect change in whatever way I can.
Despite the subject being such an important one, the book is easy to digest, the background work hints of books I’ve read on Orientalism, Disaster Capitalism and more. Qureshi brings together his work in this format so it is readable and motivating for the everyday reader. This one will be in my top books of 2020 and I look forward to more of his work.
An absolute must read.
February 20, 2020
Powerful book about resistance, oppression, power structures in society, structural racism and speaking truth to power. It makes you reflect on your role in society as a witness of injustices happening around you.
September 9, 2019
A brilliant, sensitive, and necessary text.
March 31, 2023
Must read.
In this very insightful book, Asim Qureshi wrestles with questions pertaining to justice, largely in the context of the War on Terror in the West, and tries to create a framework for how to think about and respond to these questions and issues.
The author’s major thesis, as I understand it, is that in times of injustice where people are being persecuted and criminalised, it is a virtue and a duty to disobey those unjust laws and predatory systems. He identifies three sites where disobedience can be located: in language, knowledge production and dissemination, and community networks.
Throughout the book, the author takes on subjects such as discrimination, securitisation, representation, liberal complicity, religious collaboration, the refusal by oppressed peoples to condemn the crimes committed by people of their population, among other things.
The author uses an Islamic framework (drawing on the Qur’an, prophetic traditions, Islamic history etc.) to build his arguments, as well as a wide range of other influences, including African-American figures, Jewish history and experiences of Muslims who have been at the receiving end of state persecution in the West.
Asim Qureshi writes with clear conviction, honesty, and passion towards his vision of justice. Both Muslim and non-Muslim readers can learn a great deal from this book, especially on how to critically think about issues of human rights and social justice. Highly recommend.
In this very insightful book, Asim Qureshi wrestles with questions pertaining to justice, largely in the context of the War on Terror in the West, and tries to create a framework for how to think about and respond to these questions and issues.
The author’s major thesis, as I understand it, is that in times of injustice where people are being persecuted and criminalised, it is a virtue and a duty to disobey those unjust laws and predatory systems. He identifies three sites where disobedience can be located: in language, knowledge production and dissemination, and community networks.
Throughout the book, the author takes on subjects such as discrimination, securitisation, representation, liberal complicity, religious collaboration, the refusal by oppressed peoples to condemn the crimes committed by people of their population, among other things.
The author uses an Islamic framework (drawing on the Qur’an, prophetic traditions, Islamic history etc.) to build his arguments, as well as a wide range of other influences, including African-American figures, Jewish history and experiences of Muslims who have been at the receiving end of state persecution in the West.
Asim Qureshi writes with clear conviction, honesty, and passion towards his vision of justice. Both Muslim and non-Muslim readers can learn a great deal from this book, especially on how to critically think about issues of human rights and social justice. Highly recommend.
October 8, 2019
Truly, I'm honoured to get a chance to read this book. It's definitely a breath of fresh air to read a book about social justice which relates to Islamic teaching. Plus his experience as an activist equipped him with robust analytical arguments. Even I'm not a British citizen or living in the West, I can relate a lot by reading this book. It strikes me profoundly on how the book urges us not to be a mere witness to injustice. But, to do whatever we can in our capacity to resist it.
I very much agree on the 3 aspects of disobedience that offered by the author. Especially when it comes to knowledge. Speaking as a citizen from a former country colonised by the British, I can see that the lack of our own knowledge and the assumption of western secular-liberal knowledge is superior made Muslim lost our identity. End up, we tend to follow and agree with the 'system'. On this case, when it comes to structural racism and war and terror.
Many key points are befitting to discuss from this book. I think this book is a good start for us to start making the conversation going in our own community. Even it's a tiny book, but the content speaks volume. I'd recommend everyone to read this book.
I very much agree on the 3 aspects of disobedience that offered by the author. Especially when it comes to knowledge. Speaking as a citizen from a former country colonised by the British, I can see that the lack of our own knowledge and the assumption of western secular-liberal knowledge is superior made Muslim lost our identity. End up, we tend to follow and agree with the 'system'. On this case, when it comes to structural racism and war and terror.
Many key points are befitting to discuss from this book. I think this book is a good start for us to start making the conversation going in our own community. Even it's a tiny book, but the content speaks volume. I'd recommend everyone to read this book.
June 15, 2020
It’s incredibly rare to read a book that challenges the inequalities of the structures of the world that expresses itself as gently as Qureshi does here. That doesn’t mean that this book is not substantive. It is. That doesn’t mean that Qureshi holds back in his critiques. He does not. But this is an entirely different style, one where Qureshi walks us through his experiences, his readings, his thought process to gently cajole us to a more holistic understanding of structural racism, islamophobia and inequality. Qureshi is humble enough to quote extensively from other sources, from Malcolm X to Angela Davis to various academics, to give his words further gravitas.
Reading this, I was worried that the lack of specificity would make it hard to follow. In reality, it managed to stay on the right side of the structured. Qureshi’s points coalesced and flowed freely. Overall, his writing was insightful, thought-provoking and well-rounded. I look forward to his next book.
Reading this, I was worried that the lack of specificity would make it hard to follow. In reality, it managed to stay on the right side of the structured. Qureshi’s points coalesced and flowed freely. Overall, his writing was insightful, thought-provoking and well-rounded. I look forward to his next book.
November 10, 2019
This book is for those that need convincing that Muslims must fight against unjust rulers. You will get upset and frustrated at the extent to which the status quo disproportionately punishes Muslims/ non-white people; us regular people are so disengaged not least because of mainstream media and so the wake up call was needed. I did not realise how many present day heros we have resisting Orwellianesque institutions and going through unimaginable suffering. The author engagingly weaves Islamic sources through extracts of civil rights texts and legal cases to make you realise that inaction is not an option.
February 23, 2019
Intend on writing a proper review on this soon inshallah
December 27, 2021
examples of standing up for justice.
June 9, 2024
A must read for any thinking Muslim in our age. Very erudite, incisive and full of wisdom. I hope the author keeps writing more!
December 23, 2025
Thought-provoking. Excellent.
May 26, 2020
This book is jam packed with so much incredibly thorough research. It’s very clear while still requiring an enormous amount of concentration to really appreciate it. The most accessible book of proper research I’ve read in a while. Craft and subject are both excellent. New top recommendation for anyone interested in a nonsecular mode if thinking about justice. 10/10 will recommend.
April 26, 2020
Fantastic read and really places the importance of justice in Islam, and simultaneously the importance of Islam in the pursuit of justice. Loved the parallels with prophetic stories and traditions. Asim Qureshi’s unique ability to constantly question both himself and others is incredibly admirable and something we can all learn from.
October 7, 2023
IN THIS BOOK, ASIM QURESHI BEAUTIFULLY REFLECTS ON HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH SOCIAL JUSTICE WORK. IT'S CLEAR THAT HE DRAWS A I LOT OF LESSONS AND I INSPIRATION FROM THE PAST, AS THE BOOK IS PACKED WITH QUOTES AND REFERENCES FROM MALCOLM X TO EDWARD SAID TO ANGELA DAVIS TO THE QURAN & SUNNAH.
AS I RECENTLY READ 'REASONING WITH GOD' (BY DR.
KHALED ABOU EL FADL) WHICH DISCUSSES MANY OF THE SAME TOPICS MORE EXTENSIVELY AND FROM A SCHOLARLY POINT OF VIEW, I WASN'T BLOWN AWAY BY THIS BOOK AS MUCH AS I MIGHT HAVE BEEN IF I CAME ACROSS IT EARLIER. HOWEVER THIS ONE IS MUCH MORE ACCESSIBLE! AND I THINK IT'S A GOOD READ FOR ANYONE, WHETHER MUSLIM OR NOT. BUT SINCE ASIM'S FAITH AND ACTIVISM ARE SO INTERTWINED I THINK IT'S DEFINITELY A MUST-READ FOR MUSLIMS WHO STILL NEED TO BE CONVINCED THAT STANDING AGAINST INJUSTICE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT VIRTUES OF BEING A MUSLIM.
AS I RECENTLY READ 'REASONING WITH GOD' (BY DR.
KHALED ABOU EL FADL) WHICH DISCUSSES MANY OF THE SAME TOPICS MORE EXTENSIVELY AND FROM A SCHOLARLY POINT OF VIEW, I WASN'T BLOWN AWAY BY THIS BOOK AS MUCH AS I MIGHT HAVE BEEN IF I CAME ACROSS IT EARLIER. HOWEVER THIS ONE IS MUCH MORE ACCESSIBLE! AND I THINK IT'S A GOOD READ FOR ANYONE, WHETHER MUSLIM OR NOT. BUT SINCE ASIM'S FAITH AND ACTIVISM ARE SO INTERTWINED I THINK IT'S DEFINITELY A MUST-READ FOR MUSLIMS WHO STILL NEED TO BE CONVINCED THAT STANDING AGAINST INJUSTICE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT VIRTUES OF BEING A MUSLIM.
October 12, 2020
I "reviewed"/thanked Asim's wonderful and important book @
https://5pillarsuk.com/2018/03/20/boo...
https://5pillarsuk.com/2018/03/20/boo...
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews