Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes

Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes, authored by Afghan American writer Tamim Ansary, offers a narrative of global history from an Islamic viewpoint. The book presents an often underrepresented perspective in mainstream historical accounts. It is part of a broader literary movement that challenges Western-centric historiography and seeks to enrich the global historical discourse. Further, it examines the divergent narratives between Islamic civilizations and the West and emphasizes the significant role these perspectives play in shaping cross-cultural understanding and interactions. The book was published in 2009 and went on to win a 2010 Northern California Book Award.

This guide refers to the 2009 PublicAffairs Kindle edition.

Summary

In Destiny Disrupted, Tamim Ansary traces the intertwining narratives of the Islamic and Western worlds, offering a comprehensive overview of historical events and ideologies that shaped the Muslim world from its inception to the modern era. It begins by describing Ansary’s personal journey, which he uses to reveal the biases in Eurocentric narratives and explain his quest to understand Islam’s significant, yet often overlooked, influence on world history. This backdrop sets the stage for a detailed exploration of Islamic civilization’s development, its interactions with the West, and the complex dynamics within the Muslim world.

The book begins by describing the geographical and cultural landscape before Islam, defining the “Middle World” as a distinct region shaped by land routes, in contrast to the Mediterranean world, which was shaped by sea routes. Ansary then delves into the life of Mohammed, his teachings, and the establishment of the Islamic community in Medina. He examines the formation of the Khalifate and the early expansions of the Islamic empire under leaders like Abu Bakr and Omar, highlighting the foundational religious, social, and political structures of the Islamic civilization.

Ansary focuses on internal strife within Islam in detail, dissecting the causes and consequences of the schisms that emerged following the leadership of Othman and Ali. He traces the growth and challenges of the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties, underlining the sociopolitical and economic heights reached during their reigns, even as they navigated dissent and religious scrutiny. The developments of Islamic doctrine, philosophy, and Sufism receive thorough examination as well. The book spotlights the cultural and intellectual resilience that allowed Islamic civilization to rebound and evolve despite external threats like the Crusades and the Mongol invasions.

Ansary then shifts his attention toward the impact that European advances in industrialization, constitutionalism, and nationalism had on Islamic territories. He analyzes the era of colonialism, spotlighting secular modernists like Atatürk and Reza Shah Pahlavi. Further, the book scrutinizes Islamic reform movements, such as Wahhabism and the Aligarh movement, which sought a conciliation between Islamic tenets and the modern age. The focus on the 20th century reveals shifts in global power after World War II, with the subsequent wave of decolonization and emergence of Arab nationalism, epitomized by figures such as Nasser. Additionally, it scrutinizes the creation of Israel and the ensuing ideological frictions between secular modernists and Islamist movements.

The book concludes with a reflection on the period after 9/11, highlighting the convergence of Western and Islamic narratives and the challenges posed by the mismatch in understanding terrorism, democracy, and cultural values. It emphasizes the need for recognizing and respecting the diverse narratives within Islam and the West to build a universal human community and navigate the complexities of the modern world.