Islam in Historical Perspective

Knysh, Alexander

Reference

Routledge

Islam in Historical Perspective is a general introduction to Islam and the history of Muslim societies. Richly illustrated by quotations and images from Muslim scripture, historical chronicles, artistic works, and theological and juridical treatises, it invites the reader to examine this evidence and to form a comprehensive understanding of Islam's evolution from its inception in Arabia to the present day. Combining chronological and thematic principles, this book examines Muslims' political struggles and intellectual disputes over the meaning and practical implications of their faith. Treating Islam as a language that various factions and generations of Muslims have used to express their grievances, aspirations and personal experiences and preferences, the book shows the religion's remarkable potency as a social, political and cultural force and source of identity. It also describes and analyses Muslim devotional practices, emotional responses to the revelation, artistic and intellectual creativity and patterns of everyday existence. The goal of this book is to help the reader to develop personal empathy for the subject by showing the relevance of the dilemmas faced by Muslims in different epochs and geographical locations to the burning issues of today's world. The pivotal events, trends and personalities of Islamic history are illustrated by witness accounts to demonstrate how they were perceived and interpreted by Muslims themselves. This new edition features a thoroughly revised text, updated bibliography, new illustrations, study questions and chapter summaries and is an outstanding resource for students of Islamic Studies.

A pathbreaking history of Sufism, from the earliest centuries of Islam to the present
After centuries as the most important ascetic-mystical strand of Islam, Sufism saw a sharp decline in the twentieth century, only to experience a stunning revival in recent decades. In this comprehensive new history of Sufism from the earliest centuries of Islam to today, Alexander Knysh, a leading expert on the subject, reveals the tradition in all its richness.
Knysh explores how Sufism has been viewed by both insiders and outsiders since its inception. He examines the key aspects of Sufism, from definitions and discourses to leadership, institutions, and practices. He devotes special attention to Sufi approaches to the Qur’an, drawing parallels with similar uses of scripture in Judaism and Christianity. He traces how Sufism grew from a set of simple moral-ethical precepts into a sophisticated tradition with professional Sufi masters (shaykhs) who became powerful players in Muslim public life but whose authority was challenged by those advocating the equality of all Muslims before God. Knysh also examines the roots of the ongoing conflict between the Sufis and their fundamentalist critics, the Salafis―a major fact of Muslim life today.
Based on a wealth of primary and secondary sources, Sufism is an indispensable account of a vital aspect of Islam.

Sufism: A New History of Islamic Mysticism

Religion & Spirituality

Christian Books & Bibles

Princeton University Press

Islam in Historical Perspective: International Student Edition

Islam in Historical Perspective provides readers with an introduction to Islam, Islamic history and societies with carefully selected historical and scriptural evidence that enables them to form a comprehensive and balanced vision of Islam’s rise and evolution across the centuries and up to the present day. Combining historical and chronological approaches, the bookexamines intellectual dialogues and socio-political struggles within the extraordinary rich Islamic tradition. Treating Islam as a social and political force, the book also addresses Muslim devotional practices, artistic creativity and the structures of everyday existence. Islam in Historical Perspective is designed to help readers to develop personal empathy for the subject by relating it to their own experiences and burning issues of today. It contains a wealth of historical anecdotes and quotations from original sources that are intended to emphasize its principal points in a memorable way. This new edition features a thoroughly revised and updated text, new illustrations, expanded study questions and chapter summaries.

This is a general survey of the rise and development of Islamic mysticism (Sufism) up to the modern period, which takes into account the latest achievements of scholarship on the subject. Sufism is examined from a variety of perspectives: as a vibrant social institution, a specific form of artistic expression, an ascetic and contemplative practice, and a distinctive intellectual tradition.Islamic Mysticism by Knysh is a comprehensive survey of the interesting and fascinating world of Islamic Mysticism.

Islamic Mysticism: A Short History (THEMES IN ISLAMIC STUDIES)

Islam

Brill Academic Pub

The book provides a general survey of the history of Islamic mysticism (Sufism) since its inception up to the present. It combines chronological and personality-based approaches to the subject with a thematic discussion of major Sufi notions and institutions. Sufism is examined from a variety of different perspectives: as a vibrant social institution, a specific form of artistic expression (mainly poetic), an ascetic and contemplative practice, and a distinct intellectual tradition that derived its vitality from a continual dialogue with other strands of Islamic thought. The book emphasizes the broad variety of Sufism's interactions with the society and its institutions from an ascetic withdrawal from the world to an active involvement in its affairs by individual Sufi masters and organizations. This second paperback edition contains a number of corrections and additions. Islamic Mysticism by Alexander Knysh is a comprehensive survey of the fascinating world of Islamic Mysticism that continues to play an important role in Muslim communities world-wide.

Islamic Mysticism: A Short History (Themes in Islamic Studies)

Politics & Social Sciences

Social Sciences

BRILL

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Books by Knysh, Alexander

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Knysh, Alexander. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Islam in Historical Perspective

Islam in Historical Perspective

Sufism: A New History of Islamic Mysticism

Sufism: A New History of Islamic Mysticism

Islam in Historical Perspective: International Student Edition

Islam in Historical Perspective: International Student Edition

Islamic Mysticism: A Short History (THEMES IN ISLAMIC STUDIES)

Islamic Mysticism: A Short History (Themes in Islamic Studies)