Early Philosophical Shiism: The Isma'ili Neoplatonism of Abu Ya'qub al-Sijistani

by Paul E. Walker

Overview

The Ismailis, among whom are the followers of the Aga Khan, rose to prominence during the fourth Islamic/tenth Christian century. They developed a remarkably successful intellectual programme to sustain and support their political activities, promoting demands of Islamic doctrine together with the then newly imported sciences from abroad. The high watermark of this intellectual movement is best illustrated in the writings of the Ismaili theoretician Abu Ya´qub al-Sijistani. Using both published and manuscript writings of al-Sijistani that have hitherto been largely hidden, forgotten or ignored, Dr Paul Walker reveals the scholar's major contribution to the development of philosophical Shiism. He analyses his role in the Ismaili mission (da'wa) of that time and critically assesses the major themes in his combination of philosophy and religious doctrine.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521060820
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	04/24/2008
Series:	Cambridge Studies in Islamic Civilization
Pages:	220
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.51(d)

Table of Contents

Part I. Al-Sijistani's Heritage: 1. The Ismaili message and its philosophers; 2. Religious and philosophical resources; 3. Ismaili predecessors; Part II. Al-Sijistani's Universe: 4. Introduction: categories of thought and terms of analysis; 5. A theology of unqualified transcendence; 6. Creation as command; 7. Intellect, the sum of existent being; 8. Descending and ascending soul; 9. Nature and the physical realm; 10. A cosmic anthropology; 11. Prophecy, the deputy of intellect; 12. Interpretation and its institution; 13. Salvation and the womb of history; Epilogue: the use and control of reason.