Sceptics of Islam: Revisionist Religion, Agnosticism and Disbelief in the Modern Arab World

Description

Arab debates about the critical relationship between religion and modernity began in the early nineteenth century. Such debates are now integral to the struggle for power between a variety of political groups and their opponents, and are vital to understanding the modern Middle East. This unique volume introduces the writings of the Muslim and Arab Christian revisionist 'free-thinkers' who have tried to redefine the relationship. It challenges the deeply entrenched idea that the contemporary Islamic world has been impermeable to a critique of religious ideas and practices. Authors from the nineteenth century to the present are included. Some are avowed believers, even if they adopt positions many might regard as heretical; others are openly agnostic and atheistic. Despite their differences, all have been united in disputing the fundamentalist idea that life should conform to a system of values and law based on the Quran. They have also rejected the religious 'liberalism' that has been the chief opposition to traditionalism. The book's originality lies in its evaluation of the social and cultural impact of these radical thinkers. Cover Half-title Title Copyright Contents Acknowledgements Notes to Readers Introduction 1. Muhammad ‘Abduh: 1849–1905 2. Shibli Shumayyil: 1850–1917 3. Ameen Rihani: 1876–1940 4. Taha Husayn: 1889–1973 5. Isma‘il Mazhar: 1891–1962 6. Isma‘il Adham: 1911–40 7. Jamil Sidqi al-Zahawi: 1863–1936 8. Ma‘ruf al-Rusafi: 1875–1945 9. Muhammad Ahmad Khalaf Allah: 1916–98 10. Mahmoud Mohamed Taha: 1909–85 11. Sadiq Jalal al-‘Azm: 1934–2016 12. ‘Ali Ahmad Sa‘id (Adunis): 1930– 13. Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd: 1943–2010 14. Mohammed Arkoun: 1928–2010 15. Muhammad Shahrur: 1938– 16. ‘Abdallah al-Qusaymi: 1907–96 17. Nawal El Saadawi: 1931– Notes Suggested Readings Index