🎉   Please check out our new website over at books-etc.com.

Seller
Your price
£54.95
RRP: £72.00
Save £17.05 (24%)
Dispatched within 2-3 working days.

Takfir in Islamic Thought

By (author) Hussam S. Timani
Format: Hardback
Publisher: Lexington Books, Lanham, MD, United States
Published: 17th Nov 2017
Dimensions: w 152mm h 229mm d 11mm
Weight: 357g
ISBN-10: 0739194259
ISBN-13: 9780739194256
Barcode No: 9780739194256
Trade or Institutional customer? Contact us about large order quotes.
Synopsis
This book provides an overview of the theological views on takfir in classical and medieval Islamic thought, explores the Islamic context of the concept, and considers the following questions: In what context does the term appear in the Qur'an and hadiths (the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad)? In what circumstances did Muslim theologians engage in takfir, and what were the social, religious, theological, and political implications on the society? How did the meaning of takfir evolve in classical and later Islamic theology, and what justifications did prominent medieval Muslim theologians and jurists provide for declaring other Muslims kuffar? This book attempts to demonstrate how takfir has evolved throughout the centuries from being a term used to condemn (and warn against) unacceptable actions to a term used on individuals and communities to strip them of their belief, dignity, and linkage to the Divine (i.e., declaring them unbelievers). This book also attempts to shed the light on how the theological discourse on takfir in classical and medieval Islam has made its impact on twentieth- and twenty-first century groups.

New & Used

Seller Information Condition Price
-New£54.95
+ FREE UK P & P

What Reviewers Are Saying

Submit your review
Newspapers & Magazines
This study provides a clear and useful overview of early and medieval Islamic positions on takfir (declaring someone an infidel). Against this background, the recent ideological deployment of takfir by some extremists may be criticized and ultimately rejected as an illegitimate misuse of Islamic tradition. -- Marcia K. Hermansen, Loyola University Chicago Hussam Timani's Takfir in Islamic Thought is a systematic and in-depth study of a practice that has, unfortunately, become increasingly prevalent in contemporary Islam: namely, branding a fellow Muslim as a non-Muslim. Drawing extensively on the Qur'an, hadiths (the reported sayings of Prophet Muhammad), and classical Arabic texts, Timani demonstrates that there has always been a vigorous debate among Muslim scholars about the understanding of iman (belief) and kufr (disbelief) and, by extension, the definition and legitimate usage of takfir. I was particularly impressed by Timani's attention to questions of nuance and complexity. He not only contrasts a variety of theological schools-the Kharijites, Murji'ites, Karramites, Mu'tazilites, Ash'arites, and Maturidites-but even analyzes differing perspectives within these schools. This book will become essential reading for anyone interested in religious pluralism in Muslim contexts, especially in terms of intra-faith dialogue. -- Shadaab Rahemtulla, University of Wales Trinity Saint David