Understanding Islamic Sciences : Philosphy, Theology, Mysticism, Morality, Jurisprudence

by Murtada Mutahhari

• ISBN13: 9781904063032
• ISBN10: 1904063039
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2003-03-05
• Publisher: Saqi Books

Summary

This collection of papers on the Islamic sciences serves a comprehensive survey of the fundamentals of different branches of the Islamic sciences, and is also a general guide to understanding the basic teachings of Islam. No other introductory book on the Islamic sciences covers all Muslim sects and their specific views. The author's exposition and evaluation of various theories is erudite and eloquent and will be of use to scholars of Islamic studies as well as to those who wish to better acquaint themselves with Islam.

Author Biography

Murtada Mutahhari studied metaphysics and jurisprudence before teaching at the Universities of Qum and Tehran. He wrote and lectured widely and was a core member of the revolutionary movement. He was assassinated in 1979.

Table of Contents

Preface	7	(4)
Part One: Islamic Philosophy	11	(38)
Literal and Semantic Definitions	11	(6)
Philosophy in Modern Times	17	(2)
Divorce of the Sciences from Philosophy	19	(1)
Illuminationism and Peripateticism	20	(4)
Islamic Methods of Thought	24	(1)
Four Islamic Approaches	24	(3)
Sublime Wisdom	27	(2)
Overview of Philosophies and Wisdoms	29	(2)
Problems in Philosophy: Being	31	(18)
Part Two: `Ilm al-Kalam: Islamic Theology	49	(40)
The Beginnings of Kalam	50	(2)
Al-Kalam al-`Aqli and al-Kalam al-Naqli	52	(5)
Mu`tazilah	57	(13)
Asha`irah	70	(5)
The Shi`ite Kalam	75	(14)
Part Three: `Irfan: Islamic Mysticism	89	(54)
Theoretical `Irfan	92	(3)
Shari`ah, Tariqah and Haqiqah	95	(1)
The Origins of Islamic `Irfan	96	(7)
A Brief History	103	(2)
`Urafa' of the Second/Eighth Century	105	(2)
`Urafa' of the Third/Ninth Century	107	(3)
`Urafa' of the Fourth/Tenth Century	110	(1)
`Urafa' of the Fifth/Eleventh Century	111	(2)
`Urafa' of the Sixth/Twelfth Century	113	(1)
`Urafa' of the Seventh/Thirteenth Century	114	(5)
`Urafa' of the Eighth/Fourteenth Century	119	(2)
`Urafa' of the Ninth/Fifteenth Century	121	(3)
The Mystic's Stations (Maqamat)	124	(1)
Zahid, `Abid and `Arif	125	(1)
The `Arif's Goal	126	(2)
The First Station	128	(2)
Exercise and Self-Discipline	130	(3)
Some Terms of `Irfan	133	(10)
Part Four: Islamic Law	143	(36)
Introduction	143	(3)
Brief History of Jurisprudence and Jurisprudents	146	(8)
The Sections and Chapters of the Issues of Jurisprudence	154	(21)
Translator's Epilogue	175	(4)
Part Five: Usul al-Fiqh: Principles of Jurisprudence	179	(26)
Introduction	179	(1)
The Principles of Jurisprudence	180	(2)
The Sources of Jurisprudence	182	(4)
A Brief History	186	(2)
The Subjects of the Principles	188	(3)
Issues Common to the Book and the Sunnah	191	(4)
Consensus and Reasoning	195	(5)
The Principles of Application	200	(5)
Part Six: Islamic Ethics and Morality	205	(36)
Awareness and Desire in Animals	205	(1)
Awareness and Desire in Man	206	(1)
The Touchstone of Man's Distinctiveness	207	(1)
Relationship between Humanity and Animality	208	(2)
Science and Faith	210	(10)
Producing Cheer and Expansiveness	220	(2)
Ameliorating Social Relationships	222	(1)
Lessening Troubles	223	(1)
The Teaching: Ideology	224	(8)
Islam: The Comprehensive and All-Encompassing Teaching	232	(1)
Where Thought Stumbles	233	(8)
Index	241