Jamaat al-Takfir wa’l-Hijrah

Jamaat al-Takfir wa’l-Hijrah

Jamaat al-Takfir wa’l-Hijrah – An extremist Islamic group based in Cairo, notorious for their militant actions, including the abduction and assassination of Shaykh Muhammad Husayn al-Dhahabi, the former Egyptian minister of Awqaf (religious endowments) and Azhar affairs, in July 1977. This group is often referred to as Jamaat al-Takfir wa’l-Hijrah by the Egyptian media, although they identify themselves as Jamaat al-Muslimin, or the Society of Muslims. The group’s leader was Shukri Ahmad Mustafa (d. 1978).

Etymology and Translations

• Arabic: جماعة التكفير والهجرة (Jamaʿat al-Takfīr wa’l-Hijra)
• Turkish: Tekfir ve Hicret Cemaati

Ideology and Beliefs

The group’s ideology is starkly radical and dismissive of contemporary Islamic societies, labeling them as un-Islamic. Only the members of Jamaat al-Muslimin are considered true Muslims. The notion of Takfir - the act of declaring a fellow Muslim an apostate - is central to their philosophy, meaning that anyone who left the movement was branded an enemy of God, subject to severe penalties, including the threat of death for apostasy and desertion.

The group also vehemently rejects the classical system of Islamic law, arguing it is a human construct rather than divine law. They insisted on adherence solely to the Qur’an, disregarding centuries of Islamic jurisprudence and scholarly interpretation.

Activities

Their most infamous act came in July 1977 with the kidnapping and subsequent murder of Shaykh Muhammad Husayn al-Dhahabi, a significant figure in Egyptian religious administration. This incident intensified state action against the group, eventually leading to the capture and execution of their leader in 1978.

Recommended Books for Further Studies

• “Islamic Radicalism: Hizbullah, Jama’at-i Islami and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen” - Tahir Amin
• “Inside Egyptian Jihad: Autobiography of a Former Islamic Fundamentalist” - Mohammed Hafez
• “Islamic Resurgence in the Arab World” - Muhammad Arkoun

Takeaways and Conclusion

• Rejection of Traditional Islamic Law: Jamaat al-Takfir wa’l-Hijrah’s categorical rejection of centuries of Islamic jurisprudence points to their allegiance to a singular interpretation of the Qur’an.
• Militant Actions: The controversial history of the group, highlighted by the murder of Shaykh Muhammad Husayn al-Dhahabi, marks their tactics as highly militant and extreme.
• Legacy of Takfir: Their use of Takfir to justify violence continues to be a subject of significant ethical and theological debate within the Muslim world.

In closing, Jamaat al-Takfir wa’l-Hijrah exemplifies the dangers of radical divergence from mainstream Islamic thought, causing significant division and violence within the Muslim community. Understanding their beliefs and actions helps in contextualizing contemporary issues of radicalism within Islam.