Pursuit of Learning in the Islamic World, 610-2003
Islam is the world's fastest growing religion, with about 1.5 billion adherents worldwide. With an extensive history of intellectual and cultural achievement, Islam has graced the world with its accomplishments - and has the potential to flower once again.\ This survey of Muslim achievement 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. Appendices...
Search in google:
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.
IThe world of Islam : doctrines and structure11IIThe prophet Muhammad and his times (c. 500-632)25IIIThe Quran31IVIslam becomes the dominant faith of an empire (632-873)39VThe flowering of Islam (873-1041)61VIPopulation movements and Islamic cities (1041-1453)77VIIThe age of great empires (1453-1699)111VIIIThe impact of the West (1699-2003)128IXThe challenge of fundamentalism157XConclusions : future prospects for Islamic learning176App. 1The decorative and other arts of Islam181App. 2Expertise in Islamic thought193App. 3Ethical traditions in Islam195App. 4Noteworthy Islamic personalities and cultural achievements199
