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THE CRUSADES, ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVES
Coinciding with the 900th anniversary of the Crusades, this book is the first general introduction to some of the wider aspects of the history of the Crusades. Prepared by Carole Hillenbrand, a leading authority with a world-wide reputation, The Crusades is unique in covering the Crusades from the Muslim perspective; it is also a timely reflection on how the phenomenon of the Crusades influenced the Muslim world, then and now–militarily, culturally, and psychologically. The Crusades discusses a group of themes designed to highlight how Muslims reacted to the alien presence of the Crusaders in the heart of traditional Muslim territory. Ideological concerns are examined, and the importance of the concept of jihad is assessed in the context of the gradual recovery of the Holy Land and the expulsion of the Crusaders. There are also chapters devoted to an analysis of the warfare–arms, battles, sieges, fortifications–on the basis of written sources and extant works of art. Also extensively discussed is the complex issue of the interaction between Muslims and Crusaders in a social, economic, and cultural setting. The epilogue traces the profound impact of the Crusades on Muslim consciousness up to the present day. The Crusades is also lavishly illustrated with 500 black-and-white pictures and two full color-plate sections.
ISBN: 0748606300
Publisher: EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY -
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A HISTORY OF ISLAMIC LAW
This timely text describes the complete history of Islamic jurisprudence from its origins, through the Medieval period, to modern times. This reissue demonstrates how, although religious law lies at the heart of Islamic culture, Islamic states have recently modified the law to meet society’s changing values.
ISBN: 0748605142
Publisher: EDINBURGH -
THE HEART OF ISLAM
THE HEART OF ISLAMIC PHILOSOPHY The Quest for Self-Knowledge in the Teachings of Afdal Kashani William C. Chittick The Heart of Islamic philosophy is an introduction to the work of an important medieval Islamic Philosopher who is little known outside the Persian world. Afdal al- Din Kashani was a contemporary of a number of important Muslim thinkers, including Averroes and Ibn ‘Arabi. Among philosophers who wrote in Persian, he is set apart by the remarkable beauty and clarity of his prose. Avoiding Arabic technical terms, he did not, in fact, write for advanced students of philosophy but rather for beginners. Kashani’s writings offer especially clear and insightful expositions of various philosophical positions. This makes him an invaluable resource for those who would like to learn the basic principle and arguments of this philosophical tradition but do not have a strong background in philosophy and Islamic studies. As Chittick notes, Kashani held the position that philosophy awakens people from forgetfulness and incites them to reach for the perfection of existence. Because ignorance of self is the cause of the soul’s misery in the next life, he sought to make philosophy as accessible as possible to everyone. This is the first book in English to present the main themes of the Islamic philosophical tradition in the words of a Muslim philosopher. Written in an accessible style, this volume will interest students and scholars of Islamic philosophy at all levels.
ISBN: ZQ064
Publisher: SUHAIL ACADEMY -
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LAW AND POWER IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD
Islamic law (the Shari’a) and its application is a central issue in contemporary Islamic politics and culture. Starting from modern concerns, this book examines the origins and evolution of the Shari’a and the corpus of texts, concepts and practices in which it has been enshrined. Sami Zubaida here considers key historical episodes of political accommodations and contests between scholars and sultans. Drawing on modern examples, mainly from Egypt and Iran, Zubaida explores how the Shari’a has evolved and mutated to accommodate the workings of a modern state. Law and Power in the Islamic World is an original and significant contribution to the debates surrounding Islam and ideas of modernity. As such its appeal and importance range across a wide spectrum of readers.
ISBN: 1850439346
Publisher: I.B.TAURIS -
ISLAMIC MOVEMENTS
Islamic movements have maintained a strong presence in the political and social life of the Arab world since the last century, through the active pursuit of the Islamisation of their particular state or society. The strength of the movements has led to clashes and prolonged confrontations with some Arab regimes, which have greatly affected political and social stability in these states. This book consists of important studies by several specialists on Islamic movements, such as Hasan Hanafi, Ahmad Moussalli and Radwan Al-Sayyid. The analyses focus on the conditions that led to the emergence of the various Islamic movements and the relationships between their thinking and practice in particular political and social contexts. The contributors also discuss the radical and moderate orientations of these movements, highlighting the reasons behind such approaches and their impact on the current situation in the Arab world.
ISBN: 9948005457
Publisher: THE EMIRATES CENTER FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES AND RESEARCH -
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THE COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO ISLAMIC ART AND ARCHITECTURE
ISBN: 9780857231031
Publisher: HERMES HOUSE -
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