Al-Adl wal-Ihsan: An Explanation of its Rise and its Strategy for Social and Political Reform in Morocco Submitted by Abdelouahad Motaouakal to the University of Exeter as a thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Arab and Islamic Studies In January 2014 This thesis is available for Library use on the understanding that it is copyright material and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement. I certify that all material in this thesis which is not my own work has been identified and that no material has previously been submitted and approved for the award of a degree by this or any other University. Signature:………………………………………………. Abstract This study examines the rise of al-Adl wal-Ihsan in the early 1980s, its development, its attitude towards a number of Islamic and contemporary issues, and its strategy to take root in society and press for social and political reform in Morocco. The aim is to provide an account that reflects as far as possible what is perceived to be the true nature of al-Adl wal-Ihsan and, more importantly, to identify the factors behind its rapid growth and its ability to become the largest organized Islamic force in the country despite operating under an authoritarian regime and in an environment already populated by several Islamic groups. Drawing on the dialogic model of interpretation which entails, among things, presenting the Islamists‟ ideas, experiences and arguments using their own terms and categories, this study has used a wide range of primary and secondary sources and benefited from interviews with a variety of people, including the movement‟s founding leader, Sheikh Yassine, before he passed away on 13th December 2012, in order to achieve a better understanding of al-Adl wal-Ihsan. The major findings that come from this research demonstrate that al-Adl wal-Ihsan is a mere response, among others, based on Islamic sources and ijtihad, to legitimate demands of social, political and moral order. Hence, to exclude the moral and spiritual dimension from the analysis would not help to generate plausible explanations of the rise and nature of al-Adl wal-Ihsan or any other Islamic group for that matter. As for al-Adl‟s rapid expansion, it has been found to be closely related to five basic factors: a charismatic leadership, an adequate organizational structure, a coherent theoretical framework, an appealing reform strategy and special emphasis on tarbiya [education]. Thus what becomes of al-Adl wal-Ihsan in the future seems to depend on its ability to maintain, if not to improve on what is deemed to be the source of its strength, which is a big challenge. 2 Contents Abstract............ ................................................................................... 1 Figures ........................................................................................ 6 Acknowledgements ............................................................................. 7 Acronyms ...................................................................................... 10 Chapter 1 Introduction: The Rise of AL-Adl wal-Ihsan and the Need for an Explanation .............................................. 11 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 11 1.2 The focus of this thesis ............................................................................. 14 1.3 Definitions and clarifications ..................................................................... 16 1.4 Theories and interpretations ..................................................................... 22 1.5 An alternative theoretical framework ......................................................... 27 1.6 A method of approaching the sources ...................................................... 32 1.7 Outline of thesis ........................................................................................ 37 Chapter 2 Sheikh Yassine and the Quest for Reform ................... 41 2.1 Birth, upbringing and career ..................................................................... 42 2.2 A Turning point ......................................................................................... 46 2.3 A bold initiative.......................................................................................... 51 2.4 A change of strategy ................................................................................. 58 2.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................ 62 Chapter 3 Emergence and Development of al-Adl wal-Ihsan [Justice and Spirituality] ............................................. 64 3.1 An outspoken voice under a modest banner ............................................ 65 3.2 Getting established under a new name .................................................... 71 3.3 A “soft” letter to a new king and its consequences.................................... 79 3.4 Organizational structure of al-Adl wal-Ihsan [Justice and Spirituality] ....... 87 3.4.1 How did al-Adl wal-Ihsan start and develop structurally? ................... 88 3.4.2 Remarks ............................................................................................. 98 3.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................ 99 Chapter 4 Key Concepts in the Thought of al-Adl wal-Ihsan ..... 103 4.1 Ijtihad ...................................................................................................... 104 4.1.1 Types of ijtihad : ............................................................................... 107 4.1.2 Conditions and approach ................................................................. 109 4.2 Fitna ....................................................................................................... 112 4.2.1 A crucial question: ............................................................................ 114 4.2.2 Implications of the fitna concept ....................................................... 117 4.3 Ihsan ....................................................................................................... 119 4.4 Conclusion .............................................................................................. 127 Chapter 5 Attitude towards some Controversial Issues ............ 129 5.1 Al-Adl wal-Ihsan and democracy ............................................................ 130 5.1.1 Two broad trends ............................................................................. 130 5.1.2 Attitude of al-Adl wal-Ihsan ............................................................... 135 5.1.3 Fears and phobias ............................................................................ 140 3 5.2 Al-Adl wal-Ihsan and modernity .............................................................. 144 5.2.1 What is modernity? ........................................................................... 144 5.2.2 Yassine‟s critique of modernity ......................................................... 148 5.2.3 Towards an Islamic paradigm of modernity ...................................... 152 5.3 Al-Adl wal-Ihsan and the status of women .............................................. 155 5.3.1 Brief historical overview .................................................................... 157 5.3.2 A roadmap to empowerment ............................................................ 159 5.4 Conclusion .............................................................................................. 164 Chapter 6 Revolutionary and “Democratic Struggle” Strategies in Morocco and their Outcome ..................................... 168 6.1 Revolutionary option in Morocco ............................................................. 169 6.1.1 Rationale .......................................................................................... 169 6.1.2 Conditions for success ..................................................................... 173 6.1.3 A critical appraisal of the revolutionary option .................................. 177 6.2 Democratic struggle strategy .................................................................. 181 6.2.1 A new party with a new trajectory ..................................................... 181 6.2.2 Coping with embarrassing issues ..................................................... 186 6.2.3 A critical assessment of the “democratic struggle” strategy ............. 190 6.3 Conclusion .............................................................................................. 196 Chapter 7 Al-Adl wal-Ihsan’s Third-Way Strategy ...................... 198 7.1 Diagnosing the current situation ............................................................. 199 7.2 Towards a new strategy of liberation ...................................................... 202 7.3 Supporting factors ................................................................................... 208 7.4 Steps for peaceful transition in Morocco ................................................. 212 7.4.1 The need for a national pact ............................................................. 213 7.4.1.1 On the meaning and utility of a pact .......................................... 213 7.4.1.2 Conditions of success ............................................................... 216 7.4.2 The need for a new constitution ....................................................... 218 7.4.3 Convoking elections