Linguistic Colonialism and Intellectual Subjugation

By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam 1 April, 2025 Throughout history, colonial powers have exercised dominance not only through military and economic means but also by shaping discourse and redefining identities. One of the most insidious methods they employed was linguistic colonialism—imposing terms and narratives that subtly altered how Muslims perceived themselves and their faith. This intellectual subjugation continues today, as terms like "Islamist," "Jihad," "Sharia," and even "medieval" are weaponized to distort perceptions of Islam and its history. The Imposition of Colonial Narratives During the 19th and 20th centuries, many Muslims, lacking access to alternative frameworks, uncritically adopted the terminology introduced by colonial rulers. A glaring example is the term "Mohammedan," which falsely implies that Islam revolves around the Prophet Muhammad rather than submission to God. While awareness has grown, and this term is now largely rejected, similar distortions persist in the forms of "Islamism" and "Islamists." Western colonial administrations and Orientalist scholars played a significant role in coining and propagating terms that redefined Muslim identity and political movements in ways that aligned with colonial objectives. For instance, the term "Islamism" was introduced to distinguish between “acceptable” and “unacceptable” expressions of Islamic belief—framing certain groups as ideological threats while casting others as “moderate” or compliant. This reinforces the narrative that any political expression of Islam is inherently dangerous. Muslims seeking approval from the West may use this term to distance themselves from those deemed politically inconvenient, mirroring how ideological labels have been used to delegitimize resistance movements worldwide. This divide-and-rule strategy reflects earlier colonial tactics that created artificial sectarian and ethnic divisions to weaken indigenous resistance. With colonial educational institutions and media dominating public discourse, many Muslims have uncritically adopted these terms, internalizing Western narratives about their own faith and history. Ironically, many Muslims today proudly identify as “moderate,” a label that Westerners interpret as compliant with their definition of a good Muslim, underscoring how the colonization of minds persists. Weaponizing "Jihad" and "Sharia" Two of the most misrepresented Islamic concepts are Jihad and Sharia. The term "Jihad," fundamentally meaning striving for justice, has been stripped of its ethical and universal significance. In reality, Jihad can be waged jointly by people of all faiths against oppressors, including Muslim oppressors, to protect the oppressed, who may be non-Muslim. Yet, the Western narrative reduces it to terrorism, stripping it of its profound moral foundation. Similarly, the term "Sharia" evokes fear in Western audiences, despite the fact that under historical Islamic governance, non-Muslim minorities were not subject to Islamic law. Instead, they were allowed to follow their own civil laws—a level of legal autonomy that many modern secular states do not grant to minorities. The Islamic penal code, including punishments for fornication, was not arbitrarily imposed but required stringent evidentiary standards, making its implementation rare. By equating Sharia solely with draconian punishments, the West ensures that even Muslims hesitate to defend their own legal traditions. Medieval or Golden Age? The Distortion of Islamic History Another linguistic manipulation is the use of the term "medieval," which carries a Western connotation of the "Dark Ages." While the European Middle Ages were characterized by stagnation and ignorance, this same period marked the height of Islamic civilization. From the 8th to the 15th century, Islamic societies were centres of knowledge, scientific advancement, and cultural flourishing. Yet, Islamic history is painted with the same brush as Europe's Dark Ages, erasing the reality that it was Islam that preserved and expanded upon the knowledge that would later ignite the European Renaissance. Colonised Muslim minds also view their history through the European lens using “medieval” rather than “the Middle Ages”. This finds expressions in ex-Muslims' disdainfully rejecting the Quran as a seventh-century or “medieval” Book and Islam as a medieval religion. The Suppression of Political Islam Muslim minds are subjugated by making them distance themselves from not only Jihad and Sharia but also from any form of Islamic governance. The expectation is that Muslims, even in their own lands, should conform to secular political models imposed by former colonial powers. They are told that religion should remain confined to private rituals, with no role in shaping governance or society. Public expressions of faith, including the hijab, the call to prayer, or religious holidays, are increasingly scrutinized and suppressed in both Muslim-majority and non-Muslim-majority countries. Meanwhile, Western governments and media label any attempt at Islamic governance as "Islamist extremism," even when rooted in democratic principles. This double standard does not apply to other religious communities, who are allowed to maintain their faith-based values while participating in politics. Jewish, Christian, and Hindu groups engage in political advocacy without being labelled "religious extremists," yet Muslims seeking to integrate their values into governance are systematically delegitimized. The Illusion of Acceptance Some Muslims, in their desperation to be accepted in Western societies, eagerly adopt these colonial narratives, distancing themselves from Islamic political thought and joining in the demonization of Jihad, Sharia, and Islamic governance. They believe that by othering their fellow Muslims, they can secure a place in Western power structures. However, history has shown that betraying one's own community earns neither trust nor respect. Those who abandon their roots in an attempt to assimilate are viewed with suspicion—useful only as "native informants" until their services are no longer needed. Such behaviour is no different from eating the flesh of one’s dead brother—a betrayal so vile that even those they seek to please can only have disgust for them, although they may find them to be “useful idiots”. Reclaiming the Narrative To break free from linguistic colonialism and intellectual subjugation, Muslims must reclaim their language and historical narratives. This entails: 1. Rejecting Externally Imposed Labels: Islam is a universal religion with a moral code that is faith-neutral and is inclusive and accommodating of the civil and family laws of other faiths. Terms like "Islamist" are meant to delegitimize Islam's role in governance. 2. Reasserting the True Meaning of Jihad and Sharia: These concepts should be understood in their proper ethical and legal contexts, rather than feared. 3. Educating Both Muslims and Non-Muslims: Highlighting the Islamic Golden Age, the pluralistic governance of Islamic societies, and the justice-oriented principles of Islamic law. 4. Rejecting the Illusion of Western Approval: Muslims should not seek validation by aligning with those who distort their faith. True respect comes from self-confidence and authenticity, not submission to colonial narratives. By reclaiming our intellectual and linguistic heritage, we can resist the forces that seek to weaken our faith and identity. The battle is not just one of politics and power but of words and meanings. Muslims must recognize that the language they use shapes their reality—and refusing to accept distorted terminology is the first step toward true intellectual independence. --- A frequent contributor to NewAgeIslam.com, Naseer Ahmed is an Engineering graduate from IIT Kanpur and is an independent IT consultant after having served in both the Public and Private sector in responsible positions for over three decades. He has spent years studying Quran in-depth and made seminal contributions to its interpretation. 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