In the previous section, we examined Sayyed Jamal al-din Afghan’s call for reform and modernization in Islamic thought and showed how he tried to educate Muslims and invite them to religious reform, Islamic unity, and resistance against colonialism. Now, in this article, we analyze Sayyed Jamal’s role in the Islamic awakening in Egypt.
The Islamic awakening in the Islamic world, especially in the nineteenth century, was influenced by several factors, among the most important of which are the intellectual and reform efforts of Sayyed Jamal al-din Afghan. As one of the founders of the Islamic Awakening Movement, Sayyed Jamal al-din traveled to various Islamic societies and sought intellectual, religious, and political reforms. Egypt was one of the centers where his ideas had the greatest impact. This article attempts to analyze his role in the formation of the Islamic Awakening in the country by examining the social and political contexts of Egypt during Sayyed Jamal’s presence.
The Political and Social Situation of Egypt in the Second Half of the 19th Century
In the second half of the nineteenth century, Egypt was under the domination of British colonialism and the strong influence of the West. This country, which was once considered one of the important centers of Islamic civilization, had suffered deep political, economic, and social crises due to its authoritarian domestic policies and foreign interference. The Khedive government, which was initially under Ottoman influence, had largely lost its independence with the expansion of interference by colonial powers, especially Britain and France.
Socially, Egyptian society was divided into two main parts: the ruling class, which was mainly made up of government affiliates and Westernized elites; and the masses of the people who were struggling with economic problems, the oppression of the rulers, and the influence of foreigners. In such an environment, the reformist ideas of Sayyed Jamal al-din Afghan were presented as a solution to the crisis. He tried to call people to awareness, resistance, and reform of society by relying on Islamic teachings.
The arrival of Sayyed Jamal al-din Afghan in Egypt and his activities
Sayyed Jamal arrived in Egypt in 1871 and quickly gained a special place in the country’s scientific and political circles. He first taught and lectured in scientific circles and became acquainted with Egyptian elites such as Muhammad Abduh. Sayyed Jamal’s profound influence on Muhammad Abduh, who later became one of the most important Islamic reformers, was indicative of his widespread influence among Egyptian intellectuals and scholars.
One of the most important actions of Sayyed Jamal in Egypt was the establishment of the newspaper “Al-Urwa Al-Wothqa”, which, as one of the first intellectual and political media, played an important role in raising public awareness and disseminating reformist ideas. This newspaper sought to create a spirit of struggle and unity among Muslims by criticizing colonial policies and domestic tyranny. Sayyed Jamal also emphasized in his speeches and writings the necessity of returning to authentic Islam, reforming the government system, and fighting colonial rule.
Intellectual and reformist axes of Sayyed Jamal al-din Afghan
Sayyed Jamal al-din’s ideas in Egypt were based on several main axes:
1. Return to authentic Islam and religious reform:
Sayyed Jamal believed that the decline of Islamic societies was due to moving away from the true teachings of Islam. He emphasized the need for Ijtihad and revision in Islamic thought, and criticized blind imitation.
2. Fighting colonialism and tyranny:
He considered Western colonialism to be the main cause of the backwardness of the Islamic world and believed that Muslims should resist foreign interference with unity and political awareness.
3. Reforming the government system and social justice:
Sayyed Jamal believed that political and social reform was possible only through the establishment of a just Islamic government. He wanted rulers to rule based on Islamic teachings and establish justice in society.
4. Unity of the Islamic Ummah:
Sayyed Jamal was one of the first thinkers to put forward the idea of Pan-Islamism. He tried to distance Muslims from nationalism and religious differences, and unite them against the colonialists.
Challenges and Obstacles on the Path of Sayyed Jamal’s Reforms in Egypt
Although Sayyed Jamal’s ideas had a profound impact on Egypt, he faced numerous obstacles and challenges:
• Opposition from the colonialists: Britain and France, who considered Sayyed Jamal’s presence a threat to their colonial interests, tried to limit his influence and exiled him from Egypt.
• Resistance from Westernized elites: Some Egyptian intellectuals who were influenced by Western culture and civilization opposed Sayyed Jamal’s Islamic ideas and accused him of reactionary tendencies.
• Lack of full support from the rulers: Some Egyptian officials initially welcomed Sayyed Jamal, but under internal and external pressure, they began to oppose him.
The Long-Term Impact of Sayyed Jamal al-din Afghan on the Islamic Awakening in Egypt
Sayyed Jamal’s ideas, even after he left Egypt, had a profound impact on the intellectual and political developments of the country. Some of the most important results of his activities are:
1. The continuation of reformist ideas among Egyptian scholars: Sayyed Jamal’s students, especially Muhammad Abduh, continued his path and worked in the field of religious and social reforms.
2. Creating the ground for Islamic movements: Sayyed Jamal’s ideas inspired many Islamic movements such as the Ikhwan Al-Muslimin (Muslim Brotherhood), which later became one of the most important intellectual and political movements in Egypt.
3. The expansion of political and social awareness: The works and writings of Sayyed Jamal made people aware of colonialism and tyranny and paved the way for resistance movements and the fight against Western influence.
In short, Sayyed Jamal al-din Afghan can be considered one of the pioneers of the Islamic awakening who played an important role in the intellectual and political developments in Egypt. He tried to call Muslims to awareness and unity relying on Islamic and reformist ideas and mobilize them against colonialism and tyranny. Although many of his goals were not realized during his lifetime, his ideas left a lasting legacy, leaving long-term effects on the history of the Islamic world. Egypt, as one of the most important intellectual and civilizational centers of the Islamic world, benefited from his teachings more than anywhere else, and these effects can be seen in the intellectual and political currents of the 20th and 21st centuries.
