The Spirituality of Responsibility: Fethullah Gulen and Islamic Thought

Description

Turkish Islamic leader Fethullah Gulen offers a distinctive view of responsibility, which is explored here for the first time. Simon Robinson shows how Gulen's writings, influenced by both orthodox Islam and the Sufi tradition, contribute a dynamic, holistic and interactive view of responsibility which locates personal identity, agency and freedom in plural relationships. The Spirituality of Responsibility also explores the practice of responsibility in Gulen's life and in the Hizmet movement which he founded. Gulen has been at the centre of many controversies, including in his Movement's relationship with the Turkish government. Charting Gulen's response, from the Israeli Gaza blockade through to more recent crises, the book critiques aspects of both this practice and underlying ideas, and argues that responsibility, focused in dialogue and peace-building, is continuing to evolve in the leadership and practice of the movement, providing a challenge to conventional views of governance and responsibility. This book is an important contribution both to the theological and philosophical debate about responsibility but also to the practice of responsibility focused in creative action, debates in business and contemporary society about responsible governance and enterprise.

Simon Robinson is Professor of Applied and Professional Ethics, and Director of Research Centre for Governance, Leadership and Global Responsibility, Leeds Beckett University, UK. He is also editor of Journal of Global Responsibility.

This book by Simon Robinson is a distinctive and important contribution to the growing academic literature relating to the Turkish origin Muslim scholar and activist, Fethullah Gulen, and to the Hizmet movement that is inspired by his teaching and practice. Following the latest (July 2016) attempted coup in Turkey and the accusations of responsibility for this that have been levelled at Fethullah Gulen by the current Turkish government and Presidency, many of the themes and contents of this book (although written before these most recent dramatic events and their aftermath) can help to enable the reader to evaluate the kind of approach taken to responsibility that is found in Fethullah Gulen's published work and in the praxis of the Hizmet movement that has inspired so many Muslims, and also engaged with people of other religions and none throughout the world. From that, in conjunction with other publicly information on the Hizmet movement and on contemporary developments in Turkey, readers will be able to arrive at their own evaluations of the value and contribution to Turkish and global society of this undoubtedly (however evaluated) significant religious and social movement phenomenon that has emerged from the crucible of Turkey's ongoing engagement with its Ottoman history; the domestic development of its Kemalist modernity, secularism and military; its Eurasian geopolitical and cultural position; and its rich Islamic heritage. * Ian S. Markham, Professor of Theology and Ethics and Dean and President, Virginia Theological Seminary, USA * Fethullah Gulen is a controversial figure. Before simply accepting the official line of the Turkish government that he is mind behind the coup, you must read this extraordinary book by Simon Robinson. Writing clearly and elegantly, Robinson expounds in a sympathetic way Gulen's line on responsibility. A Christian Professor learns from an Islamic thinker and illustrates how all of us need to listen to this voice and this approach. Interfaith conversation is entering a new mode. Quite remarkable and utterly fascinating. * Paul Weller, Emeritus Professor, University of Derby, UK, and Co-editor of The Muslim World and Politics in Transition: Creative Contributions of the Gulen Movement (Bloomsbury, 2013) *