The Cambridge Companion to Classical Islamic Theology

by Tim Winter (Editor)

Overview

This series of critical reflections on the evolution and major themes of pre-modern Muslim theology begins with the revelation of the Koran, and extends to the beginnings of modernity in the eighteenth century. The significance of Islamic theology reflects the immense importance of Islam in the history of monotheism, to which it has brought a unique approach and style, and a range of solutions which are of abiding interest. Devoting especial attention to questions of rationality, scriptural fidelity, and the construction of 'orthodoxy', this volume introduces key Muslim theories of revelation, creation, ethics, scriptural interpretation, law, mysticism, and eschatology. Throughout the treatment is firmly set in the historical, social and political context in which Islam's distinctive understanding of God evolved. Despite its importance, Islamic theology has been neglected in recent scholarship, and this book provides a unique, scholarly but accessible introduction.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781107485471
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	05/22/2008
Series:	Cambridge Companions to Religion
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	728,857
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Tim Winter is University Lecturer in Islamic Studies in the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge.

Table of Contents

Introduction Tim Winter; Part I. Historical Perspectives: 1. The Koran and Hadith M. Abdel Haleem; 2. Early kalām Khalid Blankinship; 3. Falsafa Hossein Ziai; 4. The developed kalām tradition Oliver Leaman and Sajjad Rizvi; 5. The social construction of orthodoxy Ahmed El Shamsy; Part II. Themes: 6. God: essence and attributes Nader El-Bizri; 7. Creation David Burrell; 8. Ethics Stefan Stelzer; 9. Revelation Yahya Michot; 10. Cosmology and the existence of God Ayman Shihadeh; 11. Worship William C. Chittick; 12. Theology and jurisprudence Umar F. Abd Allah; 13. Theology and mysticism Toby Mayer; 14. Epistemology and divine discourse Paul Hardy; 15. Eschatology Marcia Hermansen.

Editorial Reviews

".. .well-edited collection of essays... . This volume makes an important contribution to readers' knowledge of Islam's intellectual history. Highly recommended." —Choice

From the Publisher