muslim brothers, society of the
C1/C2Formal, Academic, Political/Historical, Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
A transnational Sunni Islamist organization founded in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, advocating for the implementation of Islamic law in personal and political life.
Refers both to the original Egyptian organization and to affiliated groups across the Muslim world that share its ideological framework, which combines religious revival, social welfare, and political activism.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a proper noun referring to a specific organization. Often used with definite article 'the' (e.g., 'the Muslim Brotherhood'). In broader contexts, can function as a concept representing political Islamism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is consistent in both varieties, though British media may have more historical coverage due to colonial ties to Egypt and the Middle East.
Connotations
In political discourse, carries connotations of Islamism, political opposition (especially in Egypt post-2013), and controversial debates about its role in democracy versus extremism.
Frequency
Higher frequency in academic, historical, and geopolitical reporting than in everyday conversation.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The Muslim Brotherhood + VERB (was founded, was banned, advocates, governed)a member/supporter/offshoot of + the Muslim BrotherhoodVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The Brotherhood's long game”
- “Ikhwani politics”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in risk analysis for Middle East markets.
Academic
Frequent in political science, Middle Eastern studies, history, and religious studies.
Everyday
Very low frequency, typically only in discussions of international news.
Technical
Used in geopolitical analysis, intelligence, and security studies.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The Muslim Brotherhood's historical development is a key topic in Middle Eastern studies.
- Analysts debated the Brotherhood's commitment to democratic principles.
American English
- The Muslim Brotherhood was designated as a terrorist organization by several regional governments.
- His research focuses on the Muslim Brotherhood's social service networks.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The Muslim Brotherhood is a group from Egypt.
- It is both a religious and political organization.
- Founded in 1928, the Muslim Brotherhood sought to promote Islamic values in society and politics.
- After the Arab Spring, a Muslim Brotherhood candidate won the Egyptian presidential election.
- The transnational influence of the Muslim Brotherhood has been a significant factor in the politics of several Middle Eastern states.
- Scholars often analyze the Muslim Brotherhood within the framework of political Islam and its tensions with secular authoritarianism.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Muslim' (faith) + 'Brotherhood' (a fraternal organization) = A religiously-based fraternal and political society.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANIZATION IS A BODY (the 'Brotherhood'), POLITICS IS RELIGION (blending of spiritual and political authority).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid calquing as 'Мусульманское братство' without context, as it may be misunderstood as a generic term rather than the specific organization. In formal contexts, the Arabic name 'аль-Ихван аль-Муслимун' or the established translation 'Ассоциация братьев-мусульман' is used.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'Muslim Brotherhood' as a plural for its members (correct: 'Brotherhood members').
- Capitalizing 'brotherhood' when not part of the full proper noun.
- Confusing it with other Islamist groups like Hamas (an offshoot) or the Islamic State.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary ideological focus of the Muslim Brotherhood?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
This is legally and politically contested. Several countries (e.g., Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE) designate it as such, while others (e.g., the UK, until 2021) distinguished between the peaceful political organization and violent offshoots. The US has not designated the parent organization as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
Hamas began as the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in the late 1980s. It shares the Brotherhood's Islamist ideology but operates independently and is primarily focused on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Hamas is designated as a terrorist group by many Western countries.
Yes, in Egypt following the 2011 revolution. Mohamed Morsi, a member of the Brotherhood's political wing, won the presidential election in 2012. His government was overthrown by the military in July 2013 after widespread protests, and the Brotherhood was subsequently banned and severely repressed.
While crushed in Egypt and banned in several Gulf states, it maintains varying levels of influence and activity through affiliated groups or political parties in countries like Jordan, Tunisia (where it was part of the post-2011 government), Morocco, and among diaspora communities.