Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes

Destiny Disrupted situates itself within the field of historiography, which seeks to offer a more balanced and inclusive understanding of world history by emphasizing non-Western contributions and narratives. The book emerges as part of a corrective movement against Eurocentrism, which has long dominated the academic and educational portrayal of historical events and developments.

Eurocentrism in historical discourse has often led to the marginalization of non-Western civilizations’ roles in contributing to global change and progress. This perspective has frequently assumed the superiority of Western ideas, values, and historical experiences while underrepresenting or misinterpreting the complexities and achievements of non-Western cultures, particularly those of the Islamic world.

In the past, history has often overlooked non-Western contributions due to various reasons, including colonial legacies, which prioritized the experiences and narratives of European powers and their descendants. Additionally, the national history focus, prevalent in the 19th and early 20th centuries, often centered on state-building processes and national identities, primarily within Western contexts. This approach has often overshadowed the interconnectedness and interdependence of global historical processes.

The trend to counteract Eurocentrism in historical narratives has its intellectual roots in various critical schools of thought that gained prominence in the 20th century, including poststructuralism and post-Marxism. These frameworks question traditional power structures and knowledge production, advocating for a more critical examination of the construction of history and the role of power in determining whose stories are told and by whom. Poststructuralism, with thinkers such as Michel Foucault and Jacques Derrida, deconstructs the notion of universal truths in history, positing that what is recorded and remembered often aligns with the interests of powerful groups. It emphasizes the subjectivity inherent in historical storytelling, acknowledging the influence of cultural hegemony and the selectivity of memory. Post-Marxism, while still attentive to economic and class dynamics central to Marxist thought, diverges to acknowledge a broader array of influences on societal development. It underscores the importance of recognizing multiple forms of identity and power relations in shaping historical events. This approach expands the conceptual lens through which to view history, integrating the role of race, gender, and religious identity into the analysis of societal changes.

The evolution of world and global history as fields of study echoes these critiques, striving for “larger” histories that encompass a multitude of experiences beyond the Western paradigm. This global approach seeks to dismantle the Eurocentric focus and reframe historical narratives to include the diverse contributions of non-Western societies. It emphasizes the importance of cross-cultural interactions, the diffusion of technologies and ideas, and the diverse paths of human development across all continents. Destiny Disrupted fits within this framework by offering a narrative that integrates the Islamic world’s history into the broader human story. It seeks to provide the knowledge necessary to understand the impact and significance of Islamic culture and history, allowing individuals to form their own informed judgments.

Destiny Disrupted presents a fact-based cultural and social account of the Islamic world, encouraging critical engagement with a more diverse view of world history.