The Future of Islam

"The Future of Islam" by Wilfrid Scawen Blunt is a late 19th-century exploration of the Muslim world's political and spiritual state during a time of burgeoning religious revival. Written in the 1880s, the author shares his insights following a journey to Jeddah and subsequent analysis of the growing Islamic movements. The book sheds light on the reawakening religious fervor and reform efforts within Islam, highlighting the need for colonial powers such as Britain to understand and adapt to these significant shifts, with specific attention paid to the diversity of Muslim peoples and sects, especially as seen through the lens of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. He emphasizes the crucial role of these dynamics in affecting the region's future and the British Empire's relationship with it, referencing the historical Caliphate and the various influences shaping the direction of Islam.