The Literature of Islam: A Guide to the Primary Sources in English Translation

Description

This book introduces the literature of Islam as it is presented in English translation. For scholars in other fields who need to understand the vast and complex literary heritage of this erudite and vigorous faith community but are unable to devote years to achieving reading proficiency‘in classical Arabic; for faculty members called upon to teach introductory or survey courses outside their own disciplines; and for graduate students in theology, medieval studies, world religions, or related fields who need access to these translated primary sources, THE LITERATURE OF ISLAM is a welcome resource. In addition, layreaders who are interested in understanding the modern Arab or Islamic world might grasp something of the currents of thought and belief through the centuries that produced these important works, which continue to exert a powerful influence upon Muslims. [From the back cover] Preface xi Acknowledgments xvii List of Abbreviations xix Chapter 1 The Qur’an: Text and Translation 1 Translations of Historical Interest 3 Sectarian Translations 7 Classic Scholarly Translations 12 Modern Scholarly Translations 14 Modern Popular Translations 17 Chapter 2 The Traditions: Hadith 25 Two Important Early Collections 27 The Six Books: The Canonical Collections 30 Anthologies, Selections, and Digests 40 The Shi‘i Collections 44 Hadith Criticism 48 Modern Issues 52 Chapter 3 Exegesis of the Qur'an: Tafsir 55 Two Great Scholars on the Principles of Tafsir 57 The Classical Age of Tafsir 58 Classical Shi‘i Tafsir 65 Modern Qur’an Interpretation 67 Modern Shi‘i Commentary 72 Current Issues in Hermeneutics 74 Chapter 4 Law and Legal Theory: Shari‘a and Fiqh 77 The Hanafi School 79 The Maliki School 83 The Shafi‘i School 88 The Hanbali School 92 The Ja‘fari School 97 Ethics 101 Law and Society in the Modern Era 101 History and Historiography: Ta’rikh 105 The Ottoman Era 121 History and Its Study in the Modern Era 123 Chapter 6 Philosophy: Falsafa 127 Philosophical Study in the Modern Era 146 Chapter 7 Theology: Kalam 149 Shi‘i Theologians 165 Modern Works in Theology 169 Chapter 8 Spirituality and Mysticism: Tasawwuf 173 The Sufi Theologians 175 The Sufi Poets and Ecstatics 186 Mysticism in the Modern Era 194 Appendix: General Anthologies of Primary Literature 197 Glossary/Index of Arabic Terms 199 Bibliography of Works Discussed 205 Name Index 221 Title Index 229 Subject Index 239 About the Authors 243