https://mobile.twitter.com/panjsher0021/status/1474543634791886850
For some background, this man was a crime kingpin and actually someone who once claimed to despise the Taliban, but with impeccable timing as the Taliban took Kabul, he suddenly discovered his interest in โjihadโ
Colonel Shamun to Abdul Hamid Khorasani, Taliban security chief:
"There is a highly motivated resistance and we will soon throw your bodies in the sea and send them to your masters".
I should be more precise. The way I use the term neo-traditionalism is different from how it is used by academics. Instead of neo-traditionalism, let's call it 'Sidi-culture.'
On the spot, I would define Sidi-culture as:
The selective embrace of the classical Islamic tradition, with a tendency towards aesthetics and form over substance.
In fiqh it appears as an embrace of the four madhabs, mostly in ritual worship and little to none in transactions or statecraft; [it is often] read through the lens of modern first world sensibilities, with some embracing 'The Fiqh of Minorities' and reverse engineering Maqasid al-Shari'a to arrive at views which are conveniently palatable to the modern world.
In 'aqida it appears as an embrace of the Ash'ari and Maturidi schools, but with a very simplistic understanding of how it makes them different from Salafis.
In Tasawwuf, it appears as a credulity and acceptance of anyone ascribed to Tasawwuf (with preferences of course), coupled with an unhealthy understanding (often unrestricted) and application of Husn al-dhann (having a good opinion of others), and preference for form over substance.
More broadly, it is an abandonment of any sensitivity towards violations of theological boundaries, the pathologizing of righteous anger for Allah's sake, and the watering down if not out right denial of al-Wala' wa al-Bara'.
It is religion as a consumer product, to be bought at expensive trips.
It is culturally elitist.
