A Critical Analysis of the Use of the Qur’an in Boko Haram’s Anti-Western Discourse

Abstract

Central to the message of Boko Haram, officially known as Jamāʿat Ahl al-Sunnah li-l-Daʿwah wa-l-Jihād, is opposition to “boko,” a term it equates with Western civilisation, and the call for an Islamic order free from such influence. To assert the authenticity of its claims, the group frequently appeals to the Qur’an, prompting the question of how far its discourse and methods are authorised by it. Thus, this study examines how Boko Haram constructs and defends its anti-Western ideology through Qur’anic interpretation. It analyses how specific verses are employed to justify the group’s critiques of political entities, the education system, and “the others.” Drawing upon audio, visual, and print materials produced by the group between 2006 and 2024, the study employs content, thematic, and comparative analyses to evaluate these interpretations against mainstream exegetical traditions. The findings reveal that Boko Haram instrumentalises the Qur’an as a rhetorical and ideological tool to legitimise violence, delegitimise traditional scholarship, while asserting its own religious authority.

Keywords

• Tafsir
• Boko Haram
• Anti-Western Discourse
• Ideological Exegesis
• Extremism

Boko Haram’ın Batı Karşıtı Söyleminde Kur’an Kullanımının Analizi

Abstract

Boko Haram adıyla bilinen Cemāʿatu Ehli's-Sünne li'd-Daʿve ve'l-Cihād’ın mesajının merkezinde, Batı medeniyetiyle özdeşleştirilen “boko” kavramına karşı çıkmak ve bu etkiden arındırılmış İslamî bir düzen çağrısı yer almaktadır. İddialarının meşruiyetini vurgulamak amacıyla grup sık sık Kur’an’a başvurmakta; bu durum da söylem ve yöntemlerinin Kur’an tarafından ne ölçüde meşrulaştırıldığı sorusunu gündeme getirmektedir. Bu nedenle, bu çalışma Boko Haram’ın Kur’an yorumları aracılığıyla Batı karşıtı ideolojisini nasıl inşa ettiğini ve savunduğunu incelemektedir. Çalışma, grubun devlet, eğitim sistemi ve “öteki” olarak konumlandırdığı kesimlere yönelik eleştirilerini meşrulaştırmak için belirli ayetlerin nasıl kullanıldığını analiz etmektedir. Çalışma, 2006-2024 yılları arasında grup tarafından üretilen sesli, görsel ve yazılı materyallere dayanmakta; bu materyaller içerik, tematik ve karşılaştırmalı analiz yöntemleri kullanılarak ana akım tefsir gelenekleriyle karşılaştırılmaktadır. Bulgular, Boko Haram’ın şiddeti meşrulaştırmak, geleneksel ilmî otoriteleri gayrimeşru kılmak ve kendi dinî otoritesini tesis etmek amacıyla Kur’an’ı retorik ve ideolojik bir araç olarak kullandığını ortaya koymaktadır.

Keywords

• Tefsir
• Boko Haram
• Batı karşıtı söylem
• Aşırılıkçılık
• İdeolojik yorum

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