In sum, what this brief history of Islam and of Islamic revivalism makes clear is that there is no direct link between seventh-century Islam and the rise of Islamist groups in the latter part of the twentieth century. I have outlined the de facto separation that took place in Islam between the religious and political spheres, and the quietist doctrines that advocated an eschewal of political power. The traditions of secularism and modernization have been dominant for at least the last two centuries in various Muslim-majority regions, beginning with modernizing reforms instituted by various Muslim monarchs, then followed by further changes implemented by secular nationalist leaderships after successful anti-colonial struggles. Thus, political Islam is better understood in light of recent political and economic developments—developments that have given rise to religious movements in other societies as well.

XREF: Parallels to common arguments that religious fundamentalism rises in response to modernization across faith traditions, not from ancient texts.

Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politi…, loc. 313