Mustafa al-Sibai (Mustafa al-Siba’i)

Mustafa al-Sibai (مصطفى السباعي) (d. 1964) was a notable Syrian political thinker, educator, and writer, widely recognized for founding the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood. His contributions to Islamic political thought and activism have had a lasting impact on contemporary Islamic movements.

Biography and Activism

Early Life and Education

Mustafa al-Sibai was deeply involved in political activism during his formative years, especially in Egypt, where he joined the Muslim Brotherhood and became affiliated with its founder, Hasan al-Banna. His activism extended to public demonstrations against British colonial rule in Egypt, which led to his imprisonment.

Founding the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood

Upon his return to Syria, al-Sibai founded “Shabab Muhammad” (شباب محمد, Muhammad’s Youth), a precursor to the more formalized Syrian Muslim Brotherhood. His resistance against French colonial rule in Syria resulted in his arrest and torture. In 1946, he successfully merged various Islamic organizations to establish the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood and was elected as its first General Guide.

Political Philosophy

Spirit of the Movement

Al-Sibai envisioned the Brotherhood as a “ruh” (روح, spirit), aimed at raising public consciousness for comprehensive Islamic reform rather than acting merely as an organization or political party.

Islamic Socialism

In his influential work, Socialism of Islam (اشتراكية الإسلام), al-Sibai argued that Islam advocates a unique type of socialism, intrinsically aligned with human nature. He identified five natural rights that form the foundation of Islamic socialism: life (حياة), freedom (حرية), knowledge (معرفة), dignity (كرامة), and ownership (ملكية).

Role of the State

Al-Sibai promoted the idea that the state should function as a regulator. He supported the nationalization of essential public services and the implementation of Islamic laws to uphold mutual social responsibility and sanctions.

Etymology

• Arabic: مصطفى السباعي (Muṣṭafā al-Sibā’ī)
• Turkish: Mustafa es-Sibâî

Suggested Books for Further Study

1. Al-Sibai, Mustafa. Socialism of Islam. Dar es Salam Publications, 1964. (Arabic edition)
2. Lia, Brynjar. The Society of the Muslim Brothers in Egypt: The Rise of an Islamic Mass Movement 1928-1942. Ithaca Press, 2006.
3. Kepel, Gilles. The Muslim Brotherhood: A Short History. Princeton University Press, 2003.

Takeaways

• Mustafa al-Sibai played a critical role in the formation and ideological foundation of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, significantly shaping political Islam in Syria.
• He posited a unique vision of Islamic socialism, aligning Muslim values with socio-economic regulations and national responsibility.
• His works and thoughts continue to influence contemporary Islamic movements and political activism in the Middle East.

Conclusion

Mustafa al-Sibai’s legacy is rooted in his passionate advocacy for Islamic reform, coupled with his distinct interpretation of Islamic socialism. As a political thinker, his work highlights significant aspects of 20th-century Islamic movements and continues to be of scholarly interest for those studying Islamic and Middle Eastern political history.

This format presents all necessary information in an organized manner suitable for an academic reference on Mustafa al-Sibai, incorporating etymology, biographical details, philosophy, and further reading resources.