Overview

Ibn Taymiyya (1263–1328) was a well-known Sunni Muslim scholar who lived most of his life in Damascus and wrote prolifically on religious matters. He was revered by his contemporaries for his immense learning, his valiant resistance in the face of the Mongol invaders, and his willingness to challenge prevailing religious beliefs and practices. Today, he is quoted by advocates of violent jihad and studied by Muslims confronting the challenges of modernity and globalisation. However, as Jon Hoover shows, he is not always what his modern admirers, or detractors, make him out to be. This volume explores Ibn Taymiyya’s life, thought and legacy. Drawing together the latest research, it discusses several little-known aspects of his thinking, including his views on God’s relation to space and the created world, and the ethics of God’s interaction with humankind. It is the perfect starting point for anyone interested in this controversial and immensely influential figure.

Full Product Details

Author:   Jon Hoover
Publisher:   Oneworld Publications
Imprint:   Oneworld Academic
ISBN:  

9781786076892

ISBN 10:   1786076896
Pages:   176
Publication Date:   05 December 2019
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION   1 EARLY CAREER AND THE MONGOL INVASIONS The Formative Years Appearance, Character, and Personal Relationships Early Engagements with Religious Law Early Engagements with Theology The Mongol Invasion of 1299–1300 The Mongol Invasions of 1300–1301 and 1303 Christians in the Wake of the Mongols   2 LATER CAREER AND MAJOR TRIALS Conflicts with Sufis The 1306 Damascus Trials over Theology Imprisonments in Egypt over Theology and Sufism 1306–1310 Final Years in Egypt 1310–1313 Back in Damascus Teaching and Writing The 1318 Nusayri Revolt Trials over Divorce Oaths Final Imprisonment over Grave Visitation 1326–1328   3 THE PRIORITY OF WORSHIP Worship and the Human Natural Constitution A Spirituality of Love Divinity and Lordship Command and Creation Sainthood   4 WORSHIP, LAW, AND INNOVATION Worship and the Law Worship Rituals: Lawful and Innovated Spiritual Concert and Annihilation Benefit and the Law Innovated Festivals and the Prophet’s Birthday Grave Visitation and Intercession Ibn Taymiyya and Sufism   5 JURISTIC AUTHORITY AND DERIVING GOD’S LAW The Sunni Law School System Back to the Qur’an and the Sunna Forbidding Chess Invalidating Triple Divorce   6 UTILITARIAN SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ETHICS Social Ethics The Caliphate Public Authority and the Law Law-Guided Public Policy Trusts of public office and public wealth Justice: the limits and rights of God and humans Jihad   7 GOD AND CREATION Kalam Theology Esotericism Non-cognitivism Apologetic Interpretativism God is Sitting Over the Throne The Timelessly Eternal God of Philosophy and Kalam God Wills for Wise Purposes and Creates from Eternity   8 GOD AND HUMANITY Justice, Evil, and the Human Act God’s Protection of Prophets The Signs of a True Prophet Christianity: An Object Lesson in Innovated Religion The Ultimate Destiny of Unbelievers   9 EPILOGUE   Bibliography Index

Reviews

`Finally, Ibn Taymiyya, who is one of the most influential thinkers in Islam today, gets his first critical introduction in a Western language. And a really good one: Hoover's book manages a well-readable balance between broad analysis and a presentation that is rich in details.' -- Frank Griffel, Professor of Islamic Studies, Yale University `At last, a book that comes close to solving the enigma of Ibn Taymiyya. Drawing on Jon Hoover's unparalleled knowledge of the Taymiyyan corpus, this is a measured, erudite and plainly accessible intellectual biography of the most fiercely contested scholar of medieval Islam. Hoover shows that Ibn Taymiyya is not always what his modern admirers and detractors make him out to be. If you want to understand Ibn Taymiyya in his own words and in his own time, this concise book is where you should start.' -- Yossef Rapoport, Reader in Islamic History, Queen Mary University of London `Written by a leading scholar in the field, this book emancipates Ibn Taymiyya from his contested legacies. With a rigorous investigation of the sources and a good grasp of the latest research, it is a most welcome effort to bring together all aspects of Ibn Taymiyya's turbulent life and challenging thought. Written in an accessible style, it is an insightful introduction to one of the most powerful Muslim minds of all time. Students and scholars approaching the subject will not be able to do without it.' -- Caterina Bori, Associate Professor, Universita di Bologna

'Finally, Ibn Taymiyya, who is one of the most influential thinkers in Islam today, gets his first critical introduction in a Western language. And a really good one: Hoover's book manages a well-readable balance between broad analysis and a presentation that is rich in details.' -- Frank Griffel, Professor of Islamic Studies, Yale University 'At last, a book that comes close to solving the enigma of Ibn Taymiyya. Drawing on Jon Hoover's unparalleled knowledge of the Taymiyyan corpus, this is a measured, erudite and plainly accessible intellectual biography of the most fiercely contested scholar of medieval Islam. Hoover shows that Ibn Taymiyya is not always what his modern admirers and detractors make him out to be. If you want to understand Ibn Taymiyya in his own words and in his own time, this concise book is where you should start.' -- Yossef Rapoport, Professor in Islamic History, Queen Mary University of London 'Written by a leading scholar in the field, this book emancipates Ibn Taymiyya from his contested legacies. With a rigorous investigation of the sources and a good grasp of the latest research, it is a most welcome effort to bring together all aspects of Ibn Taymiyya's turbulent life and challenging thought. Written in an accessible style, it is an insightful introduction to one of the most powerful Muslim minds of all time. Students and scholars approaching the subject will not be able to do without it.' -- Caterina Bori, Associate Professor, University of Bologna

Author Information

Jon Hoover is Associate Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Nottingham. He specialises in Islamic intellectual history, medieval Islamic theology and philosophy, Christian–Muslim relations, and the thought of Ibn Taymiyya. He is the author of Ibn Taymiyya’s Theodicy of Perpetual Optimism, and numerous articles and book chapters on Ibn Taymiyya’s theology and ethics.

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