What Went Wrong? The Clash Between Islam & Modernity in the Middle East

1. The West's Rise: A Shift in Power Dynamics

And then, suddenly, the relationship changed.

Sudden reversal. For centuries, the Islamic world led in military, economic, and cultural achievements, but a dramatic shift occurred as Europe advanced, leaving the Islamic world behind. This change was not gradual but a sudden reversal of fortunes, catching the Islamic world off guard.

• The Islamic world, once at the forefront of civilization, found itself surpassed by the West.
• This shift was not just in military might but also in science, technology, and culture.
• The Islamic world, initially unaware of this change, continued to view the West as inferior.

Ignorance of Western progress. The Islamic world remained largely unaware of the Renaissance, Reformation, and scientific revolution happening in Europe. This lack of awareness contributed to their inability to adapt and compete with the West.

• The great translation movement that had once brought Greek and Persian knowledge to the Islamic world had ended.
• New scientific literature from Europe was almost entirely unknown in the Islamic world.
• This ignorance led to a dangerous underestimation of Western capabilities.

A new world order. The rise of the West was not just a shift in power but a fundamental change in the world order. The Islamic world, once a dominant force, now had to grapple with its diminished status and the growing influence of the West.

• The discovery of new sea routes by Europeans bypassed the Middle East, impacting its trade and economy.
• Western powers began establishing colonial dependencies in Asia, further diminishing the Islamic world's influence.
• This new world order forced the Islamic world to confront its own weaknesses and seek ways to adapt.

2. Military Defeats as a Catalyst for Change

Usually the lessons of history are most perspicuously and unequivocally taught on the battlefield, but there may be some delay before the lesson is understood and applied.

Battlefield lessons. Military defeats served as stark reminders of the growing power imbalance between the Islamic world and the West. These defeats forced the Islamic world to confront its weaknesses and seek ways to modernize.

• The defeat of the Moors in Spain and the liberation of Russia from Tatar rule were early signs of the shift in power.
• The Ottoman failure to capture Vienna marked a turning point in their military dominance.
• The Treaty of Carlowitz was the first peace signed by a defeated Ottoman Empire with victorious Christian adversaries.

Initial resistance to change. Despite the clear lessons of the battlefield, the Islamic world initially resisted adopting Western methods. They continued to view the West as inferior, even as they were being defeated by them.

• The Ottomans bought Western weapons and expertise but did not change their perception of the West.
• There was a delay in understanding and applying the lessons of military defeats.
• The focus was on acquiring Western technology, not on adopting Western systems and strategies.

A new approach to warfare. The need to compete with the West forced the Islamic world to adopt new military strategies and technologies. This included seeking European help in training and equipping their forces.

• The Ottomans began to seek European help in training and equipping their forces.
• They formed alliances with European powers against other European powers.
• This marked a significant shift in their approach to warfare and diplomacy.

3. The Lure of Western Wealth and Power

The question now was more specific—what is the source of this wealth and strength, the talisman of Western success?

Beyond military might. The Islamic world began to look beyond military technology to understand the source of Western success. They focused on economics and politics, seeing them as the keys to Western wealth and power.

• The focus shifted from military matters to economic and political systems.
• Middle Easterners sought to understand the source of Western wealth and strength.
• They began to question their own systems and seek ways to catch up with the West.

Economic modernization. The Islamic world attempted to replicate Western industrialization by building factories and adopting Western economic practices. However, these efforts often failed due to a lack of understanding of the underlying principles.

• Early attempts to build factories often failed due to a lack of expertise and infrastructure.
• The focus was on acquiring technology rather than developing a sustainable economic system.
• The region lagged behind in investment, job creation, productivity, and exports.

Political reform. The Islamic world also sought to emulate Western political systems, adopting constitutions and parliaments. However, these reforms often resulted in increased autocracy rather than greater freedom.

• The adoption of Western political systems often led to increased autocracy.
• The new apparatus of communication and enforcement strengthened central power.
• Traditional intermediate powers were weakened or abolished.

4. Social and Cultural Barriers to Progress

The status of women, though probably the most profound single difference between the two civilizations, attracted far less attention than such matters as guns, factories and parliaments.

The status of women. The vastly different status of women in Islamic and Western societies was a major point of contrast. The Islamic world's treatment of women was seen as a barrier to progress.

• The Islamic world's treatment of women was a major point of contrast with the West.
• Muslim visitors to Europe were often shocked by the freedom and immodesty of Western women.
• The emancipation of women was seen as a threat to traditional Islamic values.

Rejection of Western science. The Islamic world initially rejected Western science, viewing it as a threat to their traditional knowledge and beliefs. This rejection hindered their ability to compete with the West.

• The Islamic world was initially reluctant to accept Western science.
• They viewed their own scientific knowledge as complete and perfect.
• This rejection hindered their ability to innovate and progress.

Limited cultural exchange. The Islamic world had limited direct contact with the West, relying on intermediaries and translations. This limited their understanding of Western culture and hindered their ability to adapt.

• Muslims were reluctant to travel to Europe, and Westerners were reluctant to have them.
• There was a lack of knowledge of Western languages and culture.
• This limited their ability to learn from the West and adapt to its influence.

5. The Complexities of Modernization and Equality

The course of modernization even in this limited sense was by no means easy.

Modernization vs. Westernization. The Islamic world struggled to distinguish between modernization and Westernization. They were willing to adopt Western technology but resisted Western cultural values.

• Modernization was seen as necessary for survival, while Westernization was seen as a threat.
• The adoption of Western technology was often seen as a business transaction, not a cultural shift.
• The emancipation of women was seen as a form of Westernization, not modernization.

The struggle for equality. The Islamic world faced challenges in addressing social inequalities, particularly those related to slavery, non-Muslims, and women. These inequalities were seen as inherent in Islamic law and tradition.

• The emancipation of slaves and non-Muslims was often met with resistance from traditionalists.
• The struggle for women's rights was particularly difficult and remains ongoing.
• The concept of equality challenged the traditional social hierarchy of the Islamic world.

Internal resistance to change. The process of modernization was often met with resistance from within the Islamic world. Traditionalists viewed these changes as a threat to their way of life and their religious beliefs.

• The ulema, the doctors of the Holy Law, often resisted changes that violated Islamic norms.
• The case for modernization was weakened by internal conflicts and resistance.
• The struggle between traditionalists and modernizers continues to shape the Islamic world.

6. Secularism: A Western Concept in a Non-Western World

Secularism in the modern political meaning—the idea that religion and political authority, church and state are different, and can or should be separated—is, in a profound sense, Christian.

Christian origins of secularism. Secularism, the separation of church and state, is a concept rooted in Christian history and experience. It is not a concept that is native to the Islamic world.

• The separation of church and state is a concept that developed in Christendom.
• The Islamic world has no equivalent of the Christian church or clergy.
• The concept of secularism is alien to traditional Islamic thought.

Rejection of secularism. The Islamic world has largely rejected secularism, viewing it as a threat to their religious values and way of life. This rejection has led to conflicts between secular and religious forces.

• The Islamic world has largely rejected secularism as a Western import.
• Secularism is seen as a threat to the authority of Islam and the sharī‘a.
• The struggle between secular and religious forces continues to shape the region.

The role of religion in society. In the Islamic world, religion is seen as an all-encompassing force that governs all aspects of life. The idea of separating religion from politics is seen as a violation of Islamic principles.

• Islam is seen as a comprehensive system that governs all aspects of life.
• The separation of religion and politics is seen as a violation of Islamic principles.
• The Islamic world has struggled to reconcile its religious beliefs with modern political systems.

7. Time, Space, and the Modern Mindset

Thus the Turkish day is divided into four periods, which are longer or shorter, according to the time of year; but at night there is nothing to mark the time.

Traditional concepts of time and space. The Islamic world had a different perception of time and space than the West. Time was often measured by the movement of the sun, and space was often measured by the time it took to travel.

• Time was often measured by the movement of the sun and the times of prayer.
• Space was often measured by the time it took to travel between places.
• These traditional concepts were different from the precise measurements of the West.

Adoption of Western timekeeping. The Islamic world gradually adopted Western methods of timekeeping, including clocks and watches. This adoption was driven by the need to coordinate activities and compete with the West.

• The adoption of Western timekeeping was driven by practical needs.
• Clocks and watches became increasingly common in the Islamic world.
• The adoption of Western timekeeping was a significant cultural shift.

Impact on daily life. The adoption of Western timekeeping and spatial measurement had a profound impact on daily life in the Islamic world. It led to a more structured and organized society.

• The adoption of Western timekeeping led to a more structured and organized society.
• The concept of a precise timetable became increasingly important.
• The adoption of Western methods of measurement was a key aspect of modernization.

8. The Elusive Nature of Cultural Change

For men to wear Western clothes, it would seem, is modernization; for women to wear them is Westernization, to be welcomed or punished accordingly.

Selective adoption of Western culture. The Islamic world has been selective in its adoption of Western culture. They have been more willing to adopt Western technology and political systems than Western social and cultural values.

• The Islamic world has been selective in its adoption of Western culture.
• They have been more willing to adopt Western technology than Western social values.
• The emancipation of women is often seen as a form of Westernization, not modernization.

Resistance to Western music. The Islamic world has largely resisted the adoption of Western music, viewing it as a threat to their traditional musical forms. This resistance is a significant example of the selective nature of cultural change.

• The Islamic world has largely resisted the adoption of Western music.
• Western music is seen as a threat to traditional Islamic musical forms.
• This resistance is a significant example of the selective nature of cultural change.

The power of language. Language has been a powerful vehicle for cultural change. The adoption of Western loanwords and the translation of Western literature have had a profound impact on the Islamic world.

• Language has been a powerful vehicle for cultural change.
• The adoption of Western loanwords has changed the way people think and communicate.
• The translation of Western literature has exposed the Islamic world to new ideas and perspectives.

9. The Blame Game vs. Self-Reflection

The question “Who did this to us?” has led only to neurotic fantasies and conspiracy theories.

Externalizing blame. The Islamic world has often blamed external forces for its problems, including the Mongols, Western imperialists, and Jews. This externalization of blame has hindered their ability to address their own weaknesses.

• The Islamic world has often blamed external forces for its problems.
• This externalization of blame has hindered their ability to address their own weaknesses.
• Conspiracy theories have become a common way of explaining their misfortunes.

The need for self-reflection. The Islamic world needs to move beyond blaming others and engage in self-reflection. They need to ask themselves what they did wrong and how they can put things right.

• The Islamic world needs to move beyond blaming others and engage in self-reflection.
• They need to ask themselves what they did wrong and how they can put things right.
• This self-reflection is essential for their future progress.

The path forward. The future of the Islamic world depends on their ability to learn from their past mistakes and embrace change. They need to find a way to modernize without abandoning their cultural and religious values.

• The future of the Islamic world depends on their ability to learn from their past mistakes.
• They need to find a way to modernize without abandoning their cultural and religious values.
• The choice is theirs, and their future depends on the choices they make.

Last updated: April 17, 2025