ABSTRACT

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 that 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. Through this rich and varied discussion, Saeed presents a fascinating depiction of how Islam was lived in the past and how its adherents practise it in the present. 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.

chapter |18 pages

The Qur'an

The primary foundation text

chapter |10 pages

The Sunna of the Prophet

chapter |17 pages

Legal thought

chapter |14 pages

Theological thought

chapter |11 pages

Mystical thought

Sufism

chapter |8 pages

Artistic expression

chapter |20 pages

Philosophical thought

chapter |16 pages

Political thought

chapter |13 pages

Renewal, reform and Muslim modernism

chapter |13 pages

Epilogue

Trends in Islamic thought today