Reconstructing Jihad amid Competing International Norms - Tapa dura

"Rane writes with a knowledge and confidence of one who has thoroughly researched his study, engaging in a critical and persuasive analysis of sensitive and complex issues from the history of apartheid in South Africa, Palestinian-Israeli politics, and issues of violence and terrorism. The author's command of Islamic materials is remarkable...Few topics are as important and contested as that of violence and non-violence in Islam and especially that of jihad, its meaning and usages. Despite the importance of this topic in Islam and in Muslim politics today, very few scholars bring the nuances in their analysis and critique that are evident in this study. Rane's analysis of jihad in Islamic religious thought and history is especially impressive, providing a masterful presentation of the history and usage of the term jihad. I can think of few (actually no) presentation that offers so comprehensive an analysis both of the development of the concept of jihad and the major scholarship on jihad" - John Esposito, Professor of International Affairs and Islamic Studies, Georgetown University.

"The most impressive aspect of the book is the author's earnest attempt to reconstruct the concept of jihad (which means 'struggle' and is erroneously conceived in purely militarist terms) to include forms of nonviolent resistance that, he argues, would be consistent not only with Islamic scriptural and legal narratives, but with international normative frameworks as well. Drawing extensively on his familiarity with Islamic sources, he suggests that eschewing violence and adopting this new strategy would provide greater moral authority and more substantial political payoffs for Palestinians. The scholarship is rich and meticulous, the writing balanced and restrained, and the proposals bold but reasonable." - CHOICE

Halim Rane's Reconstructing Jihad breaks new ground on some of the most crucial issues of the twenty-first century: the role of religion in international affairs, the use of armed force, and the achievability of a just peace. In the context of international norms and identity factors Rane presents a contemporary methodology for the reconstruction of jihad from a doctrine based on the use of armed force to one that gives 'Islamic' legitimacy to non-violent resistance. Using the Israel-Palestine conflict as a case study, this book explores the impact of competing international norms in the process of conflict resolution. Combining a constructivist perspective of international relations with contextualist and objective-oriented (maqasid) approaches of Islamic Studies, the author examines the conditions under which a just resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict is possible. Based on extensive research and statistics, Rane demonstrates why Palestinian nonviolence would be more conducive to their liberation struggle than violent resistance and how this is a legitimate and authentic form of jihad consistent with the higher objectives of Islam - a necessary realization for Islamic militants if the conflict is to find a just resolution. With the continued failure of the conventional 'peace process' and the increasing intractability of the conflict, this book makes a timely contribution to resolving one of the world's most enduring dilemmas.