Islamic Thought: An Introduction

Chapter 2 Islamic Thought ‘Islamic Thought’ is ideal for anyone who wants to understand more about Muslim beliefs and the Islamic faith.’ Oliver Leaman, University of Kentucky, USA Islamic Thought is a fresh and contemporary introduction to the philosophies and doctrines of Islam. Abdullah Saeed, a distinguished Muslim scholar, traces the development of religious knowledge in Islam, from the pre-modern to the modern period. The book focuses on Muslim thought, as well as the development, production and transmission of religious knowledge, and the trends, schools and movements which have contributed to the production of this knowledge. Key topics in Islamic culture are explored, including the development of the Islamic intellectual tradition, the two foundation texts, the Qur’an and hadith, legal thought, theological thought, mystical thought, Islamic art, philosophical thought, political thought, and renewal, reform and rethinking today. In the face of changes in Islamic law, and the influence of Western societies, as well as developments in gender rights, human rights and globalization, and in reaction to contemporary social and political events, Muslim beliefs are changing and adapting. Through this rich and varied discussion, Saeed presents a fascinating depiction of one of the world’s major living religions. Islamic Thought is essential reading for students beginning the study of Islam but will also interest anyone seeking to learn more about one of the world’s great religions. Abdullah Saeed is the Sultan of Oman Professor of Arab and Islamic Studies, and the Director of the Centre for the Study of Contemporary Islam at the University of Melbourne, Australia. He has written widely on Islam and contemporary Muslim issues and is the author and editor of a number of books, including Interpreting the Qur’an (2006), Approaches to the Qur’an in Contemporary Indonesia (editor, 2005), Freedom of Religion, Apostasy and Islam (co-author 2004), Islam and Political Legitimacy (co-editor 2004), Islam in Australia (2003) and Islamic Banking and Interest (1996). Clothing and the body in self-study iii Islamic Thought An introduction Abdullah Saeed First published 2006 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge 270 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2006 Abdullah Saeed This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2006. “To purchase your own copy of this or any of Taylor & Francis or Routledge’s collection of thousands of eBooks please go to www.eBookstore.tandf.co.uk.” All rights reserved. No part of this book may b