The social anatomy of Islam [Book review]

Abstract

In The Social Anatomy of Islam, Róbert Simon offers an ambitious and conceptually rich account of Islamic civilisation as a historically continuous and normatively integrated formation. Originally published in Hungarian and translated by Bernard Adams, the book spans from the emergence of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula to the rise of twenty-first-century Islamic fundamentalism. Simon seeks not only to trace the historical development of Islam but to account for the repeated failure of modern reform efforts, which he attributes to a persistent ideological dependence on foundational paradigms. This review outlines Simon’s core theoretical framework, focusing on his concept of repristination and its role in shaping Islamic civilisation as a normatively closed system. It then explores key conceptual distinctions that underpin Simon’s analysis, including his views on cyclical time, Islamic law, and social stratification. The next section evaluates both the strengths and the limitations of Simon’s sociological approach, especially his treatment of Islamic fundamentalism, the integration of legal and theological structures, and the implications of his “inverted utopia” thesis. Finally, the review highlights areas where the book could have engaged more deeply with internal diversity, reformist thought, and global Islamic experiences, offering a critical appraisal of Simon’s methodological choices and the scope of his theoretical claims.