Muhammad Surur

Muhammad Surur bin Nayif Zayn al-'Abidin (محمد سرور بن نايف زين العابدين; 1938 – 11 November 2016) was a former member of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood. He is credited with establishing the Salafi Islamist movement known as Sururism (or Sururi), which combines "the organisational methods and political worldview of the Muslim Brotherhood with the theological puritanism of Wahhabism." This movement is noted for its significant role in advancing a politicized version of Wahhabism in Saudi Arabia. Surur called for non-violent criticism of Muslim rulers but opposed efforts to overthrow regimes in Muslim countries, viewing such actions sources of fitna (civil strife and chaos). In 1984, he authored the widely read anti-Shia book Wa Ja'a Dawr al-Majus (وجاء دور المجوس). This book posits the Iranian Revolution as a strategy for Shiite domination of the Middle East. His writings notably influenced Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq.

Life
He was born in the Hawran region. In the mid-1960s, while still affiliated with the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, Surur began to express criticism of the group, such as its acceptance of members from the Sufi Brotherhood. These disagreements contributed to his decision to relocate to Saudi Arabia in 1965. However, after being expelled from Saudi Arabia in 1974 due to reports labelling his activities as subversive, he moved to Kuwait. There, he established the Dar al-Arqam publishing house. In 1984, Suror settled in the United Kingdom, where he established the Center for Islamic Studies. His final relocation was to Jordan in 2004.

Influence
Surur admired Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Al ash-Sheikh and was himself initially admired by Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi—who later considered him to be too lenient towards the Muslim rulers. Surur has also influenced Salman al-Ouda.

After the death of Muhammad Surur in Doha, Abdulrazzaq al-Mahdi released condolences upon him and commented on his impact.

Works

 * Wa Ja'a Dawr al-Majus (The Era of the Magians Has Come)
 * Al-salafiyya bayna al-wula wal-ghula (Salafism between the Rulers and the Extremists)