The Pursuit of Learning in the Islamic World, 610-2003

Informationen zum Autor Hunt Janin is an American writer living in southwestern France. He has written numerous nonfiction and scholarly books on a range of subjects, including medieval history and cross-cultural studies. Klappentext Islam scares the West. Militant conservatism and the horrific acts of violent fundamentalists evoke outrage, but the reprehensible few reinforce a longstanding Western stereotype of all Muslims as ""incorrigibly fanatical, violent and morally and culturally different."" Overlooked is the long history of Muslim intellectual and cultural achievement, and its potential to flower once again. With about 1.5 billion adherents, Islam is the world's fastest growing religion. An understanding of its past glories, present state and future potential has never been more critical. This survey of Muslim intellectual and cultural achievements spans 1,400 years. Chapters fall into three sections: fundamentals of Islamic learning; its growth until the present; and its future direction in the face of anti-intellectual fundamentalism. Arranged chronologically within the sections, chapters begin with an historical overview of the time period they encompass, providing context for the subsequent discussion of key intellectual and cultural achievements within that period. Appendices describe decorative and other arts, the requirements for expertise in Islamic thought, Islamic ethical traditions, and list noteworthy personalities and achievements chronologically. Maps and photographs illustrate the text, which also includes a glossary, notes, a bibliography and an index. Zusammenfassung Presents a survey of Muslim intellectual and cultural achievements that spans 1!400 years. Chapters in this work fall into three sections: fundamentals of Islamic learning; its growth; and its future direction in the face of anti-intellectual fundamentalism. Inhaltsverzeichnis Table of ContentsPreface Introduction: Why This Book? Part One: Fundamentals of Islamic LearningI. The World of Islam: Doctrines and Structure II. The Prophet Muhammad and His Times (c. 500-632) III. The Quran Part Two: The Growth of Islamic LearningIV. Islam Becomes the Dominant Faith of an Empire (632-873) V. The Flowering of Islam (873-1041) VI. Population Movements and Islamic Cities (1041-1453) VII. The Age of Great Empires (1453-1699) VIII. The Impact of the West (1699-2003) Part Three: Islamic Fundamentalism and the Future IX The Challenge of Fundamentalism X Conclusions: Future Prospects for Islamic Learning Appendix 1 : The Decorative and Other Arts of Islam Appendix 2 : Expertise in Islamic Thought Appendix 3 : Ethical Traditions in Islam Appendix 4 : Noteworthy Islamic Personalities and Cultural Achievements Glossary of Selected Islamic Terms Notes Selected Bibliography Index ...

Klappentext
Islam scares the West. Militant conservatism and the horrific acts of violent fundamentalists evoke outrage, but the reprehensible few reinforce a longstanding Western stereotype of all Muslims as ""incorrigibly fanatical, violent and morally and culturally different."" Overlooked is the long history of Muslim intellectual and cultural achievement, and its potential to flower once again. With about 1.5 billion adherents, Islam is the world's fastest growing religion. An understanding of its past glories, present state and future potential has never been more critical. This survey of Muslim intellectual and cultural achievements spans 1,400 years. Chapters fall into three sections: fundamentals of Islamic learning; its growth until the present; and its future direction in the face of anti-intellectual fundamentalism. Arranged chronologically within the sections, chapters begin with an historical overview of the time period they encompass, providing context for the subsequent discussion of key intellectual and cultural achievements within that period. Appendices describe decorative and other arts, the requirements for expertise in Islamic thought, Islamic ethical traditions, and list noteworthy personalities and achievements chronologically. Maps and photographs illustrate the text, which also includes a glossary, notes, a bibliography and an index.

Zusammenfassung
Presents a survey of Muslim intellectual and cultural achievements that spans 1,400 years. Chapters in this work fall into three sections: fundamentals of Islamic learning; its growth; and its future direction in the face of anti-intellectual fundamentalism.

Inhalt
Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction: Why This Book?

Part One: Fundamentals of Islamic Learning
I. The World of Islam: Doctrines and Structure
II. The Prophet Muhammad and His Times (c. 500-632)
III. The Quran

Part Two: The Growth of Islamic Learning
IV. Islam Becomes the Dominant Faith of an Empire (632-873)
V. The Flowering of Islam (873-1041)
VI. Population Movements and Islamic Cities (1041-1453)
VII. The Age of Great Empires (1453-1699)
VIII. The Impact of the West (1699-2003)

Part Three: Islamic Fundamentalism and the Future
IX The Challenge of Fundamentalism
X Conclusions: Future Prospects for Islamic Learning

Appendix 1 : The Decorative and Other Arts of Islam
Appendix 2 : Expertise in Islamic Thought
Appendix 3 : Ethical Traditions in Islam
Appendix 4 : Noteworthy Islamic Personalities and Cultural Achievements
Glossary of Selected Islamic Terms
Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index