Islam and the European Empires

Abstract

This article conducts a comprehensive review of the literature concerning the interactions between various European empires and Islam, including those of France, Britain, the Netherlands, Russia, and Germany. Although the history of Islam in relation to empires has captivated scholars for decades, most studies have been narrowly focused on the history of specific empires or regions, seldom addressing the commonalities among different imperial powers despite the similarities in their inquiries and themes. This article consolidates these studies and explores the following themes: the relationship between Islam and imperial rule, particularly how religious institutions were appropriated and managed by colonial states; the role of Islam in anti-imperialist resistance; and the interplay between Islam and colonial knowledge. The study evaluates the prevailing themes within this domain and identifies several questions that warrant further investigation