Book Review: Paul Weller, Fethullah Gülen’s Teaching and Practice: Inheritance, Context, and Interactive Development (London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2022)

by Martin Whittingham – [ Journal of Dialogue Studies Vol 10 ]

Abstract

Rather than attempting to survey all the topics covered in Paul Weller’s book, this article draws out a number of issues which seem of particular interest. These include the role of the five purposes of Islamic law (maqasid al-shar’ia) in providing a framework for developing new Islamic reflection, and the question of what constitutes authentic Islam. It goes on to look at Gülen’s comments on conversion and interreligious relations; Weller’s concept of ‘theological insecurity’; and the role of Sufism and love in Gülen’s thought. It concludes with some comment on the theme of self-criticism within the Gülen Movement.