Inspired Knowledge in Islamic Thought PDF Download

Author: Alexander Treiger
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 113665562X
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 196

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Book Description
This book argues that the Muslim theologian Abu Hamid al-Ghazali was a popularizer of philosophy more than its critic and that his theory of mystical cognition is based on the theory of prophecy of the philosopher Avicenna.

Author: Alexander Treiger
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136655611
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 242

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Book Description
It has been customary to see the Muslim theologian Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (d. 1111) as a vehement critic of philosophy, who rejected it in favour of Islamic mysticism (Sufism), a view which has come under increased scrutiny in recent years. This book argues that al-Ghazali was, instead, one of the greatest popularisers of philosophy in medieval Islam. The author supplies new evidence showing that al-Ghazali was indebted to philosophy in his theory of mystical cognition and his eschatology, and that, moreover, in these two areas he accepted even those philosophical teachings which he ostensibly criticized. Through careful translation into English and detailed discussion of more than 80 key passages (with many more surveyed throughout the book), the author shows how al-Ghazali’s understanding of "mystical cognition" is patterned after the philosophyof Avicenna (d. 1037). Arguing that despite overt criticism, al-Ghazali never rejected Avicennian philosophy and that his mysticism itself is grounded in Avicenna’s teachings, the book offers a clear and systematic presentation of al-Ghazali’s "philosophical mysticism." Challenging popular assumptions about one of the greatest Muslim theologians of all time, this is an important reference for scholars and laymen interested in Islamic theology and in the relations between philosophy and mysticism.

Author: Frank Griffel
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004307494
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 364

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Book Description
Al-Ghazālī (d. 505/1111) is one of the most influential thinkers of Islam. There is hardly a genre of Islamic literature where he is not regarded as a major authority. Islamic Law, Sufism, ethics, philosophy, and theology are all deeply shaped by him. Yet in the past thirty years, the field of Ghazālī-studies has been shaken by the realization that Avicenna (Ibn Sīnā, d. 428/1037) and other philosophers had a strong influence on him. Now, after the 900th anniversary at his death, the field emerges stronger than ever. This second volume of Islam and Rationality: The Impact of al-Ghazālī brings together twelve leading experts on al-Ghazālī who write about his thought and the impact it had on later Muslim thinkers. Contributors are: Anna Ayşe Akasoy, Ahmed El Shamsy, Kenneth Garden, Frank Griffel, Jules Janssens, Damien Janos, Taneli Kukkonen, Stephen Ogden, M. Sait Özervarlı, Martin Riexinger, Ulrich Rudolph, and Ayman Shihadeh.

Author: Fitzroy Morrissey
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0197522033
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 257

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Book Description
For general readers, a compact and illuminating introduction to Islam, from its beginnings almost 1500 years ago to the present moment. While much has been written about Islam, particularly over the twenty-five years, few books have explored the full range of the ideas that have defined the faith over a millennium and a half. Fitzroy Morrissey provides a clear and concise introduction to the origins and sources of Islamic thought, from its beginnings in the 7th century to the current moment. He explores the major ideas and introduces the major figures--those who over the centuries have broached life's major questions, from the nature of God and the existence of free will to gender relations and the ordering of society, and in the process defined Islam. Drawing on Arabic and Persian primary texts, as well as the latest scholarship, A Short History of Islamic Thought explains the key teachings of the Qur'an and Hadith, the great books of Islamic theology, philosophy, and law, as well as the mystical writings of the Sufis. It evaluates the impact of foreign cultures-Greek and Persian, Jewish and Christian-on early Islam, accounts for the crystallization of the Sunni and Shi'i forms of the faith, and accounts for the rise of such trends as Islamic modernism and Islamism. Above all, it reveals the fundamental principles of Islamic thought, both as a source of inspiration for Muslims today and as illuminating and rewarding in their own right.

Author: Mehmet Karabela
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000369811
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 370

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Book Description
Early modern Protestant scholars closely engaged with Islamic thought in more ways than is usually recognized. Among Protestants, Lutheran scholars distinguished themselves as the most invested in the study of Islam and Muslim culture. Mehmet Karabela brings the neglected voices of post-Reformation theologians, primarily German Lutherans, into focus and reveals their rigorous engagement with Islamic thought. Inspired by a global history approach to religious thought, Islamic Thought Through Protestant Eyes offers new sources to broaden the conventional interpretation of the Reformation beyond a solely European Christian phenomenon. Based on previously unstudied dissertations, disputations, and academic works written in Latin in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Karabela analyzes three themes: Islam as theology and religion; Islamic philosophy and liberal arts; and Muslim sects (Sunni and Shi‘a). This book provides analyses and translations of the Latin texts as well as brief biographies of the authors. These texts offer insight into the Protestant perception of Islamic thought for scholars of religious studies and Islamic studies as well as for general readers. Examining the influence of Islamic thought on the construction of the Protestant identity after the Reformation helps us to understand the role of Islam in the evolution of Christianity.

Author: M. A. Kazi
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Islam and science
Languages : en
Pages : 178

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Book Description

Author: Abdullah Saeed
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134225644
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 222

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Book Description
Islamic Thought is a fresh and contemporary introduction to the philosophies and doctrines of Islam. Abdullah Saeed, a distinguished Muslim scholar, traces the development of religious knowledge in Islam, from the pre-modern to the modern period. The book focuses on Muslim thought, as well as the development, production and transmission of religious knowledge, and the trends, schools and movements that have contributed to the production of this knowledge. Key topics in Islamic culture are explored, including the development of the Islamic intellectual tradition, the two foundation texts, the Qur’an and Hadith, legal thought, theological thought, mystical thought, Islamic Art, philosophical thought, political thought, and renewal, reform and rethinking today. Through this rich and varied discussion, Saeed presents a fascinating depiction of how Islam was lived in the past and how its adherents practise it in the present. Islamic Thought is essential reading for students beginning the study of Islam but will also interest anyone seeking to learn more about one of the world’s great religions.

Author: Jamal J. Elias
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789004409941
Category : Islam
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Light upon Light: Essays in Islamic Thought and History in Honor of Gerhard Bowering brings together studies that explore the richness of Islamic intellectual life in the pre-modern period. Leading scholars around the world present nineteen studies that explore diverse areas of Islamic Studies, in honor of a renowned scholar and teacher: Professor Dr. Gerhard Bowering (Yale University). The volume includes contributions in four main areas: (1) Quran and Early Islam; (2) Sufism, Shiʿism, and Esotericism; (3) Philosophy; (4) Literature and Culture. These areas reflect the enormous breadth of Professor Bowering's contributions to the field over a lifetime of scholarship, teaching, and mentoring. Contributors: Hussein Ali Abdulsater, Mushegh Asatryan, Shahzad Bashir, Jonathan Brockopp, Yousef Casewit, Jamal Elias, Janis Esots, Li Guo, Matthew Ingalls, Tariq Jaffer, Mareike Koertner, Joseph Lumbard, Matthew Melvin-Koushki, Mahan Mirza, Bilal Orfali, Gabriel Reynolds, Nada Saab, Amina Steinfels & Alexander Treiger.

Author: Maha Elkaisy-Friemuth
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134146760
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 225

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Book Description
Winner of The Iranian World Prize for the Book of the Year 2007 in the Philosophy and Mysticism category. This new and original text provides a timely re-examination of Islamic thought, presenting a stark contrast to the more usual conservative view. The explanation of the relationship between God and humans, as portrayed in Islam, is often influenced by the images of God and of human beings which theologians, philosophers and mystics have in mind. The early period of Islam reveals a diversity of interpretations of this relationship. Elkaisy-Friemuth discusses the view of three scholars from the tenth and eleventh century: Abd al-Jabbar, Ibn Sina and Al-Ghazali, which introduce three different approaches of looking at the relationship between God and Humans. God and Humans in Islamic Thought attempts to shed light on an important side of medieval rational thought in demonstrating its significance in forming the basis of an understanding of the nature of God, the nature of human beings and the construction of different bridges between them.

Author: Saurabh Singh Chauhan
Publisher: Saurabh Singh Chauhan
ISBN:
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 88

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Book Description
Welcome to the remarkable journey of exploring the life and legacy of one of history's most influential minds, biography of Al-Ghazali, known as "The Proof of Islam." In this captivating biography, we will venture into the world of a scholar, philosopher, theologian, and jurist who left an indelible mark on the course of Islamic thought. Al-Ghazali's life story is a tapestry woven with threads of knowledge, doubt, spiritual enlightenment, and a relentless quest for truth. Born in a time when Islamic scholarship was flourishing, Al-Ghazali emerged as a guiding light, illuminating the path for countless seekers and scholars. As we traverse through the chapters of this book, you will be introduced to the key milestones that shaped Al-Ghazali's life. We will journey through his early years, marked by a thirst for knowledge that led him to the doors of renowned teachers and institutions. The foundation of his intellectual prowess was laid during these formative years, setting the stage for a lifelong pursuit of wisdom. The narrative will unveil the challenges that tested Al-Ghazali's faith, sparking a crisis that pushed him to the precipice of doubt. Struggling to reconcile the intricate threads of theology, philosophy, and spirituality, Al-Ghazali embarked on a profound personal journey—a journey that would redefine his relationship with his faith and reshape the contours of Islamic scholarship. Our exploration will delve into Al-Ghazali's unwavering determination to seek truth. Through the corridors of self-discovery, he managed to rekindle the flame of belief, emerging from the depths of uncertainty with a renewed sense of purpose. Al-Ghazali's relentless pursuit serves as an inspiration—a testament to the human spirit's capacity to navigate the labyrinth of uncertainty and emerge stronger than before. With each passing chapter, you will witness Al-Ghazali's ascent as a towering intellectual figure. His insights into philosophy, his efforts to reconcile reason with faith, and his pioneering contributions to Islamic mysticism will unfold before your eyes. We will explore his masterful teachings, which continue to resonate across generations, providing guidance and wisdom to those seeking a deeper understanding of life's profound questions. As we traverse Al-Ghazali's life, we will encounter his encounters with philosophy, his forays into mysticism, and his engagement with the broader intellectual currents of his time. His legacy, marked by a synthesis of diverse thought traditions, will be unveiled as a beacon that has guided scholars, philosophers, and spiritual seekers throughout the centuries. In this journey, we will not only witness Al-Ghazali's profound impact on the Islamic world but also delve into the enduring significance of his ideas in the modern age. We will explore how his writings have transcended temporal boundaries, leaving an indelible imprint on the tapestry of human thought. So, buckle up as we embark on a voyage through the life, ideas, and legacy of Al-Ghazali. This biography is a tribute to a scholar who not only left an indelible mark on Islamic thought but also enriched the human intellectual landscape in ways that continue to resonate with seekers of truth across cultures and generations. Let us now venture, chapter by chapter, to unlock the fascinating chapters of Al-Ghazali's life and thought, revealing the layers of wisdom that have shaped the course of history.