Sceptics of Islam : revisionist religion, agnosticism and disbelief in the modern Arab world / edited by Ralph M. Coury.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Class of 1932 Fund.

Coury, Ralph M., editor.

Series:

Library of modern Middle East studies ; 178.

Library of modern Middle East studies ; 178

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Religious thought.

Middle East--Religion.

Middle East.

Religion.

Arab countries.

Qurʼan--Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Qurʼan.

Islam--Controversial literature.

Islam.

Religious thought--Arab countries--19th century.

Religious thought--Arab countries--20th century.

Religion and civilization.

Genre:

Controversial literature.

Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Physical Description:

ix, 262 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

London : I.B. Tauris, 2018.

Summary:

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.-- Publisher's website.

Contents:

1. Muhammad 'Abduh: 1849-1905

2. Shibli Shumayyil: 1850-1971

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: 1916â-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-.

9. Muhammad Ahmad Khalaf Allah: 1916�a-98

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [213]-249) and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Class of 1932 Fund.

ISBN:

9781784533373

1784533378

OCLC:

1030159761