Between Preaching and Judging: the Muslim Brotherhood and the Predicament of takfīr (1960s–1980s)

Both as a slogan and a book, “Preachers, not Judges” has long dominated academic narratives about the Muslim Brotherhood’s turn towards ‘moderation’ in the 1970s and 1980s. However, upon examination, several commonplace assumptions about “Preachers, not Judges” do not hold. Firstly, the Muslim Brotherhood never renounced takfīr as a basic doctrine. It only debated different ways of implementing this doctrine in practice. Secondly, “Preachers, not Judges” was much less clear and authoritative as a doctrinal statement than often assumed. It is better understood as a tactical manoeuvre aimed at avoiding splits within the movement. Based primarily on a new and comprehensive survey of contemporary sources from the 1970s, this article will propose a revised understanding of Muslim Brotherhood discourse on preaching, judging, and the doctrine of takfīr that remains relevant until the present day.