IIS Publishes Volume on Tafsir and Islamic Intellectual History
February 2015
The Institute of Ismaili Studies is pleased to announce the publication of Tafsir and Islamic Intellectual History: Exploring the Boundaries of a Genre, edited by Andreas Görke and Johanna Pink.
This volume presents analyses of Qur’anic exegesis as carried out across various milieus, the fifteen chapters coalescing around a central theme of understanding the genre of tafsir within the context of wider Muslim scholarship.
The chapters in this volume explore tafsir from its formative stage to contemporary times, taking in diverse geographical regions such as Iran, Yemen, Turkey and West Africa, and examining media often overlooked, such as oral and lay exegesis. In doing so, they provide new perspectives on how the boundaries of the tafsir genre may be demarcated, transformed and permeated. The volume thus makes an argument for – and provides analytical tools to deal with – the necessity of understanding tafsir within its wider environment.
Tafsir and Islamic Intellectual History illustrates ways in which exegetes – who were often also experts in other areas such as hadith, law or theology – bring their learning in one field to bear on another, and in what ways they distinguish between materials of relevance to the task at hand. Other chapters ask how political and theological agendas influence works of tafsir. Yet, these also show that assumptions on this point cannot be made; while political or theological background may shape a tafsir work to a great or lesser extent, a range of contexts needs to be taken into account for a closer and more nuanced understanding.
The volume contains chapters by leading scholars as well as young researchers in the field of Qur’anic exegesis: Abdessamad Belhaj, Andrea Brigaglia, Catherine Bronson, Claude Gilliot, Kathrin Eith, Andreas Görke, Nejmeddine Khalfallah, Kathrin Klausing, Johanna Pink, Andrew Rippin, Ignacio Sánchez, Rebecca Sauer, Nicolai Sinai, Roberto Tottoli and Neguin Yavari. Providing wide-ranging insights and an analytical framework for approaching tafsir, the volume Tafsir and Islamic Intellectual History will greatly benefit advanced students and scholars in the fields of tafsir studies specifically and Qur’anic studies, Islamic Intellectual History and religious scholars more generally.
Commenting on this volume, Dr Walid Saleh, Distinguished Professor for Islamic Studies, University of Toronto, said:
“This edited volume promises to become a reference work the moment it is published. The scope of the collection is simply outstanding and the selection of articles covers essential aspects of tafsir that are usually neglected . . . The scholarship is of the highest standard, and the breadth is unprecedented in publications of its kind.”
Another scholar, Dr Brannon Wheeler, Professor of History, United States Naval Academy, remarked:
“This research is not available elsewhere and provides insights into areas of Qur’an commentary that are integral to Islamic Studies and to the continued research into the Qur’an. … The contributions are strong, of relevance to the field, and provide intellectually stimulating arguments.”
http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_article.asp?C ... 14997&l=en
IIS Catalogue and Publications
Words of Power - Hurufi Teachings Between Shi'ism and Sufism in Medieval Islam
Dr Orkhan Mir-Kasimov
I.B. Tauris in collaboration with The Institute of Ismaili Studies.
ISBN (Hardback): 9781784531539
•Synopsis
•Contents
•Bibliography
Synopsis
The Jawidan-Nama-yi Kabir ('Great Book of Eternity') was the magnum opus of Fadlallah Astarabadi (d. 796 AH/1394 CE) and provided the basis of the Hurufi movement. Today it is one of the most important known texts belonging to the mystical and messianic current that became particularly active in Iran and Anatolia following the Mongol rule.
It illuminates the contemporary reconfiguration of religious and political authority along messianic and charismatic lines that took place in the Islamic East, which arguably contributed to the rise and consolidation of the Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal dynasties. Words of Power is the first comprehensive study of Fadlallah's seminal work. Orkhan Mir-Kasimov summarises Fadlallah's biography, charts the history of the Hurufi movement, contextualises the Jawidan-Nama within Islamic intellectual history, and considers its lasting impact in the Muslim world.
Content Date: March 2015
http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_article.asp?ContentID=115060
Dr Orkhan Mir-Kasimov
I.B. Tauris in collaboration with The Institute of Ismaili Studies.
ISBN (Hardback): 9781784531539
•Synopsis
•Contents
•Bibliography
Synopsis
The Jawidan-Nama-yi Kabir ('Great Book of Eternity') was the magnum opus of Fadlallah Astarabadi (d. 796 AH/1394 CE) and provided the basis of the Hurufi movement. Today it is one of the most important known texts belonging to the mystical and messianic current that became particularly active in Iran and Anatolia following the Mongol rule.
It illuminates the contemporary reconfiguration of religious and political authority along messianic and charismatic lines that took place in the Islamic East, which arguably contributed to the rise and consolidation of the Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal dynasties. Words of Power is the first comprehensive study of Fadlallah's seminal work. Orkhan Mir-Kasimov summarises Fadlallah's biography, charts the history of the Hurufi movement, contextualises the Jawidan-Nama within Islamic intellectual history, and considers its lasting impact in the Muslim world.
Content Date: March 2015
http://www.iis.ac.uk/view_article.asp?ContentID=115060
People of the Prophet's House
by: Dr. Fahmida Suleman:
Synopsis
Despite their distinct theological differences, Shi‘i and Sunni Muslims, followers of the two main divisions of Islam, share a number of core beliefs including an allegiance to and love for the Prophet Muhammad and members of his family. For Shi‘i Muslims, reverence for the Prophet and allegiance to his household (Ahl al-bayt, People of the House), comprising his immediate family and their descendants, constitutes an essential principle of belief that has directly impacted how Shi‘i artists, rulers, patrons and ritual participants have conveyed their love and loyalty through material culture and religious ritual. The 22 essays in this volume, richly illustrated with over 200 colour images, present a diversity of beliefs and practices expressed through the arts, architecture, material culture and ritual that spans Shi‘i history from the tenth century to the present day. With contributions from experts in the fields of anthropology, religious studies, art and architectural history, numismatics, film studies and contemporary art, the book also calls attention to the global diversity of the artistic and devotional expressions of Shi‘i Muslims from across Trinidad, Senegal, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, India and China. Additionally, some essays draw upon important female Shi‘i figures and female ritual practices and many chapters underscore the theme of love for the Ahl al-bayt beyond Sunni and Shi‘i demarcations. This work contributes to a growing body of scholarship dedicated to the religious arts and rituals of Shi‘i Muslims around the world.
http://iis.ac.uk/publication/people-prophets-house
*****
The Shi'i World
by:
Dr Farhad Daftary Dr Amyn Sajoo Dr. Shainool Jiwa
Synopsis
The world's 200 million Shi'i Muslims express their faith in a multiplicity of ways, united by reverence for the ahl al-bayt, the family of the Prophet. In embracing a pluralistic ethic, fourteen centuries of Shi'i Islam have given rise to diverse traditions and practices across varied geographic and cultural landscapes. The Shi'i World is a comprehensive work authored by leading scholars from assorted disciplines, to provide a better understanding of how Shi'i communities view themselves and articulate their teachings. The topics range from Shi'i Islam's historical and conceptual foundations, formative figures and intellectual, legal and moral traditions, to its devotional practices, art and architecture, literature, music and cinema, as well as expressions and experiences of modernity. The book thus provides a panoramic perspective of the richly textured narratives that have shaped the social and moral universe of Shi'i Muslims around the globe. This fourth volume in the Muslim Heritage Series will appeal to specialists and general readers alike, as a timely resource on the prevailing complexities not only of the 'Muslim world', but also of the dynamic Shi'i diasporas of Europe and North America. -
http://iis.ac.uk/publication/shii-world
*******
Epistles of the Brethren of Purity Series: On Astronomy
Synopsis
http://iis.ac.uk/publication/epistles-b ... -astronomy
******
Avicenna's Allegory on the Soul
by Prof. Wilferd Madelung Dr Toby Mayer
Synopsis
The Persian philosopher Ibn Sina (d. 1037), known in Europe as Avicenna, was arguably the greatest master of Aristotelian thought in the Muslim world. The symbolical ‘Poem on the Soul’ (Qasidat al-nafs), which portrays all earthly human souls as in temporary exile from heaven, is traditionally attributed to him. renowned for his encyclopaedic treatments of philosophy, Avicenna also experimented with a variety of intellectual genres and discourse styles, including a small number of mythopoeic texts. Among those, the brief Qasida drew the particular attention of commentators on account of its aesthetic impact, popularity and the ostensibly esoteric character of its teachings. it depicts the human soul as a strayed dove, which can only return home after retrieving awareness of its celestial origin. the text therefore expresses metaphorically the need for a philosophical perspective in life and for philosophy as a path to salvation. One of the most important commentaries on the Qasida was written by 'Ali b. Muhammad b. al-Walid (d. 1215), a major early representative of the Tayyibi Ismaili tradition, which emerged and flourished in medieval Yemen. In his view, the poem encapsulated the highly distinctive and esoteric beliefs of his own school. At the heart of this system lies a cosmological myth, aptly named the ‘drama in heaven’, according to which our imperfect universe results from a rupture in the celestial world and a subsequent fall. Avicenna’s Allegory on the Soul presents an edition of the Arabic text of Ibn al-Walīd’s commentary, ‘The Useful Epistle’ (al-Risala al-mufida), alongside an English translation and extended introduction. It offers invaluable insight into esoteric Muslim thought and a deeper understanding of Avicenna’s substantial intellectual legacy.
http://iis.ac.uk/publication/avicennas-allegory-soul
*******
The Meaning of the Word: Lexicology and Qur'anic Exegesis
by:
Dr. Stephen R. Burge
Synopsis
The basic intention of Qur’anic exegesis (tafsir) is to understand what the text of the Qur’an means. Before attempting to understand anything of the Qur’anic worldview and its ethical values, there is a need for exegetes to engage with the individual words found in the Qur’an itself. Yet, exegetes and translators, whether medieval or modern, have different theological perspectives, which influence how they do this. Many modern scholars have recognised that lexicology (the study of words and their meaning, rather than the collection of words’ meanings, i.e. lexicography) plays an important part in exegesis, but there are very few studies of how exegetes use lexicology to develop their interpretations of the Qur’an or that address lexicology in Qur’anic in any depth. This volume, consisting of chapters by twelve leading, established and young scholars, begins to address this gap in the scholarship. It is divided into four sections that provide different reflections on the relationship between lexicology and Qur’anic interpretation. As a whole, it provides the first in-depth discussion focusing on the relationship between the interpretation of the Qur’an and the meanings of words, from the beginnings of Qur'anic exegesis to the contemporary period.
The Introduction, by S.R. Burge (Chapter 1), utilises the chapters in the volume to explore how interpreters construct meaning, and the ways in which exegetes give meaning to words. In it, Burge draws on Norman Calder’s ideas about the genre of tafsir, as well as on the field of semiotics, to illustrate that exegetes can give meaning to words in a number of different ways. The process of giving a definition to a word is extremely complex, and anyone studying the Qur’an needs to be aware of this. Section I analyses the earliest attempts to explore the meaning of words in Islamic thought.
Kees Versteegh (Chapter 2) presents an analysis of the ways in which early exegetes gave glosses to Qur’an words, that is, by defining a word in the Qur’an through a synonym. Versteegh argues that, in his tafsir, Muqatil b. Sulayman (d. 150/767) exhibits the use of stock interpretations, which appear consistent throughout the entire work.
Herbert Berg (Chapter 3) explores the debates about the early exegete ‘Abd Allah Ibn ‘Abbas (d. ca. 68/687), a Companion of the Prophet Muhammad, and an early exegete. Many scholars have questioned whether the interpretative Hadith attributed to him can be considered authentic, and one common theory is that these Hadith represented a ‘school’ of interpretation. Berg questions this theory through an analysis of a number of verses in the tafsir by Muhammad b. Jarir al-Tabari (310/923).
The final chapter in this section, by Christopher Melchert (Chapter 4), compares the interpretation of three words (siyaha, hikma and siddiq) in the lexicographical, exegetical, Hadith and zuhd (renunciant) material. Melchert argues that the Hadith and zuhd literature often provides definitions of Qur’anic terms that are unaffected by doctrinal influences. Section II presents four cases studies of lexicology in classical Qur’anic exegesis.
The first, by Claude Gilliot (Chapter 5), explores the handling of lexicology by Abu’l-Hasan ‘Ali al-Wahidi (d. 468/1076), in his al-Tafsir al-basit, through a comparison with Tabari’s exegesis. Burge (Chapter 6) examines the way the word falaq (Q. 113:1) has been interpreted by different medieval exegetes, as well as in lexicographical works. He argues that although exegetes almost always give this word the same meaning, the way in which they defend the lexical reading is very different, depending on the methodology and hermeneutic approach that the exegetes employ.
Devin Stewart (Chapter 7) examines the Mufradat alfaz al-Qur’an by al-Raghib al-Isfahani (d. 422/1031) and the phenomenon of ‘cognate substitution’ – the process whereby a new morphological form is used in the Qur’an in order to account for the internal rhyme scheme. Stewart concludes with an examination of the Qur’anic terms for Hell found in the Qur’an, which are often subject to cognate substitution.
The final chapter in this section, by Toby Mayer (Chapter
, explores the mystical lexicology of Muhammad b. ‘Abd al-Karim al-Shahrastani (d. 548/1153), illustrating the ways exegetes can apply metaphysical readings of words to generate an understanding of divine mysteries. Section III explores the relationship between lexicology and legal debates in both the medieval and modern periods.
The first chapter in this section, by Agostino Cilardo (Chapter 9), looks at how different words used in the Qur’an to denote relatives (arham, walad, aqrabuna, ‘asaba, ikhwa and mawali) were important to legal interpretations and discussions of inheritance law, and he highlights the differences and similarities of the various the Sunni and Shi‛i schools of law. He ends with a discussion of specific cases dealing with inheritance. Ayesha Chaudhry (Chapter 10) examines how exegetes dealt with the word nushuz in Q. 4:34 and Q. 4:128; this word (usually interpreted as ‘disobedience’) is applied in the Qur’an to both husband and wives, but the exegetes interpret the word differently when it is applied to women. Chaudhry argues that this is because the exegetes are imposing a hierarchical worldview on the Qur’anic text.
The final chapter in this section, by M. Brett Wilson (Chapter 11), explores the interpretation of a specific verse about fasting (Q. 2:184) and the heated debates in early twentieth-century Turkey on whether the Ramadan fast was obligatory or not. The verse, and its exegesis, became a flashpoint of debate about modernism and traditionalism, revealing that words and their interpretations have wider social and political ramifications. Lastly, Section IV examines the debates about translating the Qur’an into other languages. Travis Zadeh (Chapter 12) looks at how legal scholars of the early twentieth century incorporated an older tradition about the translation of the Fatiha into Persian by Salman al-Farisi (d. after 23/644), a close Companion of the Prophet, and the first Persian convert to Islam, into contemporary debates. Stefan Wild (Chapter 13) looks at the contemporary context, exploring the translation of the Qur’an in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and the ways in which the translation of the Qur’an can enter the realms of ideology, theology and politics. Wild concludes that translations are now a part of wider Islamic culture, far outnumbering editions printed in Arabic, typifying the global aspect of contemporary Islam.
http://iis.ac.uk/publication/meaning-wo ... c-exegesis
by: Dr. Fahmida Suleman:
Synopsis
Despite their distinct theological differences, Shi‘i and Sunni Muslims, followers of the two main divisions of Islam, share a number of core beliefs including an allegiance to and love for the Prophet Muhammad and members of his family. For Shi‘i Muslims, reverence for the Prophet and allegiance to his household (Ahl al-bayt, People of the House), comprising his immediate family and their descendants, constitutes an essential principle of belief that has directly impacted how Shi‘i artists, rulers, patrons and ritual participants have conveyed their love and loyalty through material culture and religious ritual. The 22 essays in this volume, richly illustrated with over 200 colour images, present a diversity of beliefs and practices expressed through the arts, architecture, material culture and ritual that spans Shi‘i history from the tenth century to the present day. With contributions from experts in the fields of anthropology, religious studies, art and architectural history, numismatics, film studies and contemporary art, the book also calls attention to the global diversity of the artistic and devotional expressions of Shi‘i Muslims from across Trinidad, Senegal, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, India and China. Additionally, some essays draw upon important female Shi‘i figures and female ritual practices and many chapters underscore the theme of love for the Ahl al-bayt beyond Sunni and Shi‘i demarcations. This work contributes to a growing body of scholarship dedicated to the religious arts and rituals of Shi‘i Muslims around the world.
http://iis.ac.uk/publication/people-prophets-house
*****
The Shi'i World
by:
Dr Farhad Daftary Dr Amyn Sajoo Dr. Shainool Jiwa
Synopsis
The world's 200 million Shi'i Muslims express their faith in a multiplicity of ways, united by reverence for the ahl al-bayt, the family of the Prophet. In embracing a pluralistic ethic, fourteen centuries of Shi'i Islam have given rise to diverse traditions and practices across varied geographic and cultural landscapes. The Shi'i World is a comprehensive work authored by leading scholars from assorted disciplines, to provide a better understanding of how Shi'i communities view themselves and articulate their teachings. The topics range from Shi'i Islam's historical and conceptual foundations, formative figures and intellectual, legal and moral traditions, to its devotional practices, art and architecture, literature, music and cinema, as well as expressions and experiences of modernity. The book thus provides a panoramic perspective of the richly textured narratives that have shaped the social and moral universe of Shi'i Muslims around the globe. This fourth volume in the Muslim Heritage Series will appeal to specialists and general readers alike, as a timely resource on the prevailing complexities not only of the 'Muslim world', but also of the dynamic Shi'i diasporas of Europe and North America. -
http://iis.ac.uk/publication/shii-world
*******
Epistles of the Brethren of Purity Series: On Astronomy
Synopsis
http://iis.ac.uk/publication/epistles-b ... -astronomy
******
Avicenna's Allegory on the Soul
by Prof. Wilferd Madelung Dr Toby Mayer
Synopsis
The Persian philosopher Ibn Sina (d. 1037), known in Europe as Avicenna, was arguably the greatest master of Aristotelian thought in the Muslim world. The symbolical ‘Poem on the Soul’ (Qasidat al-nafs), which portrays all earthly human souls as in temporary exile from heaven, is traditionally attributed to him. renowned for his encyclopaedic treatments of philosophy, Avicenna also experimented with a variety of intellectual genres and discourse styles, including a small number of mythopoeic texts. Among those, the brief Qasida drew the particular attention of commentators on account of its aesthetic impact, popularity and the ostensibly esoteric character of its teachings. it depicts the human soul as a strayed dove, which can only return home after retrieving awareness of its celestial origin. the text therefore expresses metaphorically the need for a philosophical perspective in life and for philosophy as a path to salvation. One of the most important commentaries on the Qasida was written by 'Ali b. Muhammad b. al-Walid (d. 1215), a major early representative of the Tayyibi Ismaili tradition, which emerged and flourished in medieval Yemen. In his view, the poem encapsulated the highly distinctive and esoteric beliefs of his own school. At the heart of this system lies a cosmological myth, aptly named the ‘drama in heaven’, according to which our imperfect universe results from a rupture in the celestial world and a subsequent fall. Avicenna’s Allegory on the Soul presents an edition of the Arabic text of Ibn al-Walīd’s commentary, ‘The Useful Epistle’ (al-Risala al-mufida), alongside an English translation and extended introduction. It offers invaluable insight into esoteric Muslim thought and a deeper understanding of Avicenna’s substantial intellectual legacy.
http://iis.ac.uk/publication/avicennas-allegory-soul
*******
The Meaning of the Word: Lexicology and Qur'anic Exegesis
by:
Dr. Stephen R. Burge
Synopsis
The basic intention of Qur’anic exegesis (tafsir) is to understand what the text of the Qur’an means. Before attempting to understand anything of the Qur’anic worldview and its ethical values, there is a need for exegetes to engage with the individual words found in the Qur’an itself. Yet, exegetes and translators, whether medieval or modern, have different theological perspectives, which influence how they do this. Many modern scholars have recognised that lexicology (the study of words and their meaning, rather than the collection of words’ meanings, i.e. lexicography) plays an important part in exegesis, but there are very few studies of how exegetes use lexicology to develop their interpretations of the Qur’an or that address lexicology in Qur’anic in any depth. This volume, consisting of chapters by twelve leading, established and young scholars, begins to address this gap in the scholarship. It is divided into four sections that provide different reflections on the relationship between lexicology and Qur’anic interpretation. As a whole, it provides the first in-depth discussion focusing on the relationship between the interpretation of the Qur’an and the meanings of words, from the beginnings of Qur'anic exegesis to the contemporary period.
The Introduction, by S.R. Burge (Chapter 1), utilises the chapters in the volume to explore how interpreters construct meaning, and the ways in which exegetes give meaning to words. In it, Burge draws on Norman Calder’s ideas about the genre of tafsir, as well as on the field of semiotics, to illustrate that exegetes can give meaning to words in a number of different ways. The process of giving a definition to a word is extremely complex, and anyone studying the Qur’an needs to be aware of this. Section I analyses the earliest attempts to explore the meaning of words in Islamic thought.
Kees Versteegh (Chapter 2) presents an analysis of the ways in which early exegetes gave glosses to Qur’an words, that is, by defining a word in the Qur’an through a synonym. Versteegh argues that, in his tafsir, Muqatil b. Sulayman (d. 150/767) exhibits the use of stock interpretations, which appear consistent throughout the entire work.
Herbert Berg (Chapter 3) explores the debates about the early exegete ‘Abd Allah Ibn ‘Abbas (d. ca. 68/687), a Companion of the Prophet Muhammad, and an early exegete. Many scholars have questioned whether the interpretative Hadith attributed to him can be considered authentic, and one common theory is that these Hadith represented a ‘school’ of interpretation. Berg questions this theory through an analysis of a number of verses in the tafsir by Muhammad b. Jarir al-Tabari (310/923).
The final chapter in this section, by Christopher Melchert (Chapter 4), compares the interpretation of three words (siyaha, hikma and siddiq) in the lexicographical, exegetical, Hadith and zuhd (renunciant) material. Melchert argues that the Hadith and zuhd literature often provides definitions of Qur’anic terms that are unaffected by doctrinal influences. Section II presents four cases studies of lexicology in classical Qur’anic exegesis.
The first, by Claude Gilliot (Chapter 5), explores the handling of lexicology by Abu’l-Hasan ‘Ali al-Wahidi (d. 468/1076), in his al-Tafsir al-basit, through a comparison with Tabari’s exegesis. Burge (Chapter 6) examines the way the word falaq (Q. 113:1) has been interpreted by different medieval exegetes, as well as in lexicographical works. He argues that although exegetes almost always give this word the same meaning, the way in which they defend the lexical reading is very different, depending on the methodology and hermeneutic approach that the exegetes employ.
Devin Stewart (Chapter 7) examines the Mufradat alfaz al-Qur’an by al-Raghib al-Isfahani (d. 422/1031) and the phenomenon of ‘cognate substitution’ – the process whereby a new morphological form is used in the Qur’an in order to account for the internal rhyme scheme. Stewart concludes with an examination of the Qur’anic terms for Hell found in the Qur’an, which are often subject to cognate substitution.
The final chapter in this section, by Toby Mayer (Chapter
, explores the mystical lexicology of Muhammad b. ‘Abd al-Karim al-Shahrastani (d. 548/1153), illustrating the ways exegetes can apply metaphysical readings of words to generate an understanding of divine mysteries. Section III explores the relationship between lexicology and legal debates in both the medieval and modern periods. The first chapter in this section, by Agostino Cilardo (Chapter 9), looks at how different words used in the Qur’an to denote relatives (arham, walad, aqrabuna, ‘asaba, ikhwa and mawali) were important to legal interpretations and discussions of inheritance law, and he highlights the differences and similarities of the various the Sunni and Shi‛i schools of law. He ends with a discussion of specific cases dealing with inheritance. Ayesha Chaudhry (Chapter 10) examines how exegetes dealt with the word nushuz in Q. 4:34 and Q. 4:128; this word (usually interpreted as ‘disobedience’) is applied in the Qur’an to both husband and wives, but the exegetes interpret the word differently when it is applied to women. Chaudhry argues that this is because the exegetes are imposing a hierarchical worldview on the Qur’anic text.
The final chapter in this section, by M. Brett Wilson (Chapter 11), explores the interpretation of a specific verse about fasting (Q. 2:184) and the heated debates in early twentieth-century Turkey on whether the Ramadan fast was obligatory or not. The verse, and its exegesis, became a flashpoint of debate about modernism and traditionalism, revealing that words and their interpretations have wider social and political ramifications. Lastly, Section IV examines the debates about translating the Qur’an into other languages. Travis Zadeh (Chapter 12) looks at how legal scholars of the early twentieth century incorporated an older tradition about the translation of the Fatiha into Persian by Salman al-Farisi (d. after 23/644), a close Companion of the Prophet, and the first Persian convert to Islam, into contemporary debates. Stefan Wild (Chapter 13) looks at the contemporary context, exploring the translation of the Qur’an in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and the ways in which the translation of the Qur’an can enter the realms of ideology, theology and politics. Wild concludes that translations are now a part of wider Islamic culture, far outnumbering editions printed in Arabic, typifying the global aspect of contemporary Islam.
http://iis.ac.uk/publication/meaning-wo ... c-exegesis
The Qur’an and its Readers Worldwide: Contemporary Commentaries and
TranslationsEdited by Suha Taji-Farouki
The Qur’an and its Readers Worldwide provides an introduction to this rich and expanding field. It brings together a selection of Qur’an commentaries and translations produced across the twentieth century to the present day, and ranging in provenance from the regions of the traditional Islamic heartlands to the new loci of global Islam. Individual chapters examine works in Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, English, German, Malay, Persian, Swahili, Turkish and Urdu, each viewed in terms of the impact of modernity on the encounter with the Qur’an, providing an English readership with an exceptionally broad overview.
******
Diwan-i Qa’imiyat of Hasan-i Mahmud Katib (Tajik Edition)
Edited by Ato Mirkhoja
The Tajik edition of the book is based on the Persian text edited by Dr Jalal Badakhchani. The Diwan-i Qa’imiyat (Poems of Resurrection) is one of the finest examples of Ismaili literature from the Alamut period of Ismaili history.
The Diwan was composed in praise of the Ismaili Imams, and it is imbued with expressions and terminology which are helpful for understanding the development of Shi‘i thought and literature. The interpretation of Ismaili terminology in poetical forms makes it a unique and enduring source of knowledge about the Ismailis’ intepretation of Imamat and their religious outlook during the Alamut period.
*****
Russian Translation of Arzina Lalani’s Early Shi‘i Thought: The Teachings of Imam Muhammad al-Baqir
By Nikolay Terletskiy
Early Shi‘i Thought represents a rigorous study on the contribution of Imam Muhammad al-Baqir to Shi‘i thought and Islamic intellectual heritage. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir’s contribution had not only given the Shi‘a a scholarly context for the articulation of their view of Imamat, but also laid the foundation of a distinctive school of jurisprudence, the madhhab ahl al–bayt, with well–defined views on several aspects of fiqh or jurisprudence. The book has already been translated into many European and Eastern languages. The Russian publication will contribute to a better understanding of Shi‘i thought, its theological underpinnings, and its role in the development of Islamic thought in the Russian-speaking world.
********
Nasir-i Khusraw’s Safar-nama (Tajik Edition)
Edited by Dr. S. Jonboboev
This is a new critical edition of the Safar-nama (travelogue) of the celebrated Ismaili philosopher, poet and traveller Nasir-i Khusraw, produced in Tajik. The Safar-nama is considered to be one of the finest travelogues, providing insight into the social and cultural heritage of the Muslim world in the 11th century. The meticulous descriptions of the landscape and architectural edifices of the time across different countries continue to fascinate both scholars and general readers today.
*******
Eastern Bukhara and the Pamirs in the second half of the XIX century (Russian Edition)
By Bahodur Iskandarov
This new edition of the distinguished book presents a detailed analysis of
events in the Pamirs and Eastern Bukhara in the late nineteenth century,
including the rivalry between Russia and Britain in the mountainous region.
The work is recognised as an authoritative publication on the history of
the Pamir region for that period. This new publication was prepared and
published in collaboration with the Institute of History of the Academy of
Sciences of Tajikistan.
TranslationsEdited by Suha Taji-Farouki
The Qur’an and its Readers Worldwide provides an introduction to this rich and expanding field. It brings together a selection of Qur’an commentaries and translations produced across the twentieth century to the present day, and ranging in provenance from the regions of the traditional Islamic heartlands to the new loci of global Islam. Individual chapters examine works in Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, English, German, Malay, Persian, Swahili, Turkish and Urdu, each viewed in terms of the impact of modernity on the encounter with the Qur’an, providing an English readership with an exceptionally broad overview.
******
Diwan-i Qa’imiyat of Hasan-i Mahmud Katib (Tajik Edition)
Edited by Ato Mirkhoja
The Tajik edition of the book is based on the Persian text edited by Dr Jalal Badakhchani. The Diwan-i Qa’imiyat (Poems of Resurrection) is one of the finest examples of Ismaili literature from the Alamut period of Ismaili history.
The Diwan was composed in praise of the Ismaili Imams, and it is imbued with expressions and terminology which are helpful for understanding the development of Shi‘i thought and literature. The interpretation of Ismaili terminology in poetical forms makes it a unique and enduring source of knowledge about the Ismailis’ intepretation of Imamat and their religious outlook during the Alamut period.
*****
Russian Translation of Arzina Lalani’s Early Shi‘i Thought: The Teachings of Imam Muhammad al-Baqir
By Nikolay Terletskiy
Early Shi‘i Thought represents a rigorous study on the contribution of Imam Muhammad al-Baqir to Shi‘i thought and Islamic intellectual heritage. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir’s contribution had not only given the Shi‘a a scholarly context for the articulation of their view of Imamat, but also laid the foundation of a distinctive school of jurisprudence, the madhhab ahl al–bayt, with well–defined views on several aspects of fiqh or jurisprudence. The book has already been translated into many European and Eastern languages. The Russian publication will contribute to a better understanding of Shi‘i thought, its theological underpinnings, and its role in the development of Islamic thought in the Russian-speaking world.
********
Nasir-i Khusraw’s Safar-nama (Tajik Edition)
Edited by Dr. S. Jonboboev
This is a new critical edition of the Safar-nama (travelogue) of the celebrated Ismaili philosopher, poet and traveller Nasir-i Khusraw, produced in Tajik. The Safar-nama is considered to be one of the finest travelogues, providing insight into the social and cultural heritage of the Muslim world in the 11th century. The meticulous descriptions of the landscape and architectural edifices of the time across different countries continue to fascinate both scholars and general readers today.
*******
Eastern Bukhara and the Pamirs in the second half of the XIX century (Russian Edition)
By Bahodur Iskandarov
This new edition of the distinguished book presents a detailed analysis of
events in the Pamirs and Eastern Bukhara in the late nineteenth century,
including the rivalry between Russia and Britain in the mountainous region.
The work is recognised as an authoritative publication on the history of
the Pamir region for that period. This new publication was prepared and
published in collaboration with the Institute of History of the Academy of
Sciences of Tajikistan.
Reading Guide: A Short History of the Ismailis by Farhad Daftary
http://www.academia.edu/27313100/Readin ... ad_Daftary
http://www.academia.edu/27313100/Readin ... ad_Daftary
IIS Publishes The Spirit and the Letter: Approaches to the Esoteric Interpretation of the Qur’an
5th October 2016
The IIS is pleased to announce the publication of The Spirit and the Letter: Approaches to the Esoteric Interpretation of the Qur’an, edited by Annabel Keeler and Sajjad Rizvi. This publication is the fifteenth volume in the Qur’anic Studies Series.
This volume is the first to focus specifically on esoteric interpretation as a phenomenon in the field of Qur’anic exegesis and to show the plurality of ways it has been manifested in different Muslim traditions. Covering a period extending from the third/ninth century to the present, The Spirit and the Letter includes chapters on philosophical and Shi‘i exegetes, such as Ibn Sina (d. 428/1037) and Mulla Sadra (d. 1045/1636), in addition to studies of a range of Sufi perspectives, from Sulami (d. 412/1021) and Qushayri (d. 465/1072) to Ruzbihan Baqli (d. 606/1209), as well as representatives of the Ibn ‘Arabi and Kubrawi schools.
Considered together, the range of studies in this volume enables readers to learn what these approaches have in common and how they differ, and how the hermeneutics and content of exegesis are affected by doctrinal and ideological perspectives of various traditions and periods. Furthermore, they deepen our understanding of what actually constitutes esoteric interpretation and the need to look beyond the letter to the spirit of the Qur’anic word.
The volume contains chapters by leading scholars: Bakri Aladdin, Mahmut Ay, Paul Ballanfat, Meir M. Bar-Asher, Gerhard Böwering, Amin Ehteshami, Janis Esots, Peter Heath, Annabel Keeler, Pierre Lory, Toby Mayer, Martin Nguyen, Sajjad Rizvi, Kristin Sands, Sara Sviri and Richard Todd.
Reviewing the publication, Leonard Lewisohn, a Senior Lecturer in Persian at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter, commented:
“This is the first major work on the key mystics and theologians who composed esoteric commentaries on the Qur’an. Fifteen erudite contributions by some of the most eminent authorities in the field of Muslim philosophy, Shi‘i exegesis, Ismaili thought, Akbarian theosophy and Sufism, explore over a millennium of esoteric commentators and commentaries on the Qur’an. Accompanied by an introduction that exhaustively examines the various intellectual trends, theological schools and theosophical terminology relating to mystical exegesis of the Qur’an. ‘The Spirit and the Letter’ provides the most accessible treatment of the inner dimension of Muslim scriptural hermeneutics written to date.”
The publication is based on a European Science Foundation Exploratory Workshop on the Esoteric Interpretation of the Qur’an, which was co-sponsored by The Institute of Ismaili Studies and the European Science Foundation. It was held at the University of Cambridge in 2006, under the auspices of the Centre of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies of Cambridge University.
.
http://iis.ac.uk/news/iis-publishes-spi ... tation-qur
5th October 2016
The IIS is pleased to announce the publication of The Spirit and the Letter: Approaches to the Esoteric Interpretation of the Qur’an, edited by Annabel Keeler and Sajjad Rizvi. This publication is the fifteenth volume in the Qur’anic Studies Series.
This volume is the first to focus specifically on esoteric interpretation as a phenomenon in the field of Qur’anic exegesis and to show the plurality of ways it has been manifested in different Muslim traditions. Covering a period extending from the third/ninth century to the present, The Spirit and the Letter includes chapters on philosophical and Shi‘i exegetes, such as Ibn Sina (d. 428/1037) and Mulla Sadra (d. 1045/1636), in addition to studies of a range of Sufi perspectives, from Sulami (d. 412/1021) and Qushayri (d. 465/1072) to Ruzbihan Baqli (d. 606/1209), as well as representatives of the Ibn ‘Arabi and Kubrawi schools.
Considered together, the range of studies in this volume enables readers to learn what these approaches have in common and how they differ, and how the hermeneutics and content of exegesis are affected by doctrinal and ideological perspectives of various traditions and periods. Furthermore, they deepen our understanding of what actually constitutes esoteric interpretation and the need to look beyond the letter to the spirit of the Qur’anic word.
The volume contains chapters by leading scholars: Bakri Aladdin, Mahmut Ay, Paul Ballanfat, Meir M. Bar-Asher, Gerhard Böwering, Amin Ehteshami, Janis Esots, Peter Heath, Annabel Keeler, Pierre Lory, Toby Mayer, Martin Nguyen, Sajjad Rizvi, Kristin Sands, Sara Sviri and Richard Todd.
Reviewing the publication, Leonard Lewisohn, a Senior Lecturer in Persian at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter, commented:
“This is the first major work on the key mystics and theologians who composed esoteric commentaries on the Qur’an. Fifteen erudite contributions by some of the most eminent authorities in the field of Muslim philosophy, Shi‘i exegesis, Ismaili thought, Akbarian theosophy and Sufism, explore over a millennium of esoteric commentators and commentaries on the Qur’an. Accompanied by an introduction that exhaustively examines the various intellectual trends, theological schools and theosophical terminology relating to mystical exegesis of the Qur’an. ‘The Spirit and the Letter’ provides the most accessible treatment of the inner dimension of Muslim scriptural hermeneutics written to date.”
The publication is based on a European Science Foundation Exploratory Workshop on the Esoteric Interpretation of the Qur’an, which was co-sponsored by The Institute of Ismaili Studies and the European Science Foundation. It was held at the University of Cambridge in 2006, under the auspices of the Centre of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies of Cambridge University.
.
http://iis.ac.uk/news/iis-publishes-spi ... tation-qur
BOOK REVIEW: The Shi'i World: Pathways in Tradition and Modernity
https://www.academia.edu/30777572/BOOK_ ... _Modernity
https://www.academia.edu/30777572/BOOK_ ... _Modernity
Interview with Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi on Spiritual Quest:
In this short interview, Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi shares his reflections on how the teachings of Imam Ali could inspire an intellectual and rationale engagement with the Qu’ran, leading to a fuller and richer understanding of the religious experience.
The 22 minute video interview with Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi on his book, “Spiritual Quest:
Reflections on Qur’anic prayer according to the teachings of Imam Ali” features his aspirations for writing the book. In his interview, Dr Shah-Kazemi shares his reflections on how the teachings of Imam Ali could inspire an intellectual and rationale engagement with the Qu’ran, leading to a fuller and richer understanding of the religious experience.
The book provides a unique contemporary insight into the spiritual, intellectual and moral dynamics set in motion by the short Qur’anic chapters recited by Muslims of all traditions in their prayers, and specifically examines those recommended amongst Shi‘i communities. Basing his own philosophical reflections on key interpretive principles expressed by Imam Ali, Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi creatively engages with these chapters,.
Q1: How did you select the Qur’anic chapters for this book? 00:08 – 02:07
Q2: In what ways are your reflections on the Qur’an derived from Imam Ali’s teachings? 02:08 – 05:07
Q3: How are the teachings of Imam Ali relevant to an intellectual understanding of the Qur’an? 05:08 – 07:35
Q4: How is the notion of Tanzil (descent of God’s message) distinct from that of Tajalli (Gods’ manifestation). 07:36 – 09:36
Q5: Why have you chosen surah al-Fatiha for detailed reflection? 09:37 – 15:28
Q6: Surah al-Insan, unlike other surahs in the book, is a long one. Why did you choose this Surah? 15:29 – 19:24
Q7: What are your concluding thoughts about the book? 19:25 – 22:17
https://iis.ac.uk/video/interview-dr-re ... -teachings
In this short interview, Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi shares his reflections on how the teachings of Imam Ali could inspire an intellectual and rationale engagement with the Qu’ran, leading to a fuller and richer understanding of the religious experience.
The 22 minute video interview with Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi on his book, “Spiritual Quest:
Reflections on Qur’anic prayer according to the teachings of Imam Ali” features his aspirations for writing the book. In his interview, Dr Shah-Kazemi shares his reflections on how the teachings of Imam Ali could inspire an intellectual and rationale engagement with the Qu’ran, leading to a fuller and richer understanding of the religious experience.
The book provides a unique contemporary insight into the spiritual, intellectual and moral dynamics set in motion by the short Qur’anic chapters recited by Muslims of all traditions in their prayers, and specifically examines those recommended amongst Shi‘i communities. Basing his own philosophical reflections on key interpretive principles expressed by Imam Ali, Dr Reza Shah-Kazemi creatively engages with these chapters,.
Q1: How did you select the Qur’anic chapters for this book? 00:08 – 02:07
Q2: In what ways are your reflections on the Qur’an derived from Imam Ali’s teachings? 02:08 – 05:07
Q3: How are the teachings of Imam Ali relevant to an intellectual understanding of the Qur’an? 05:08 – 07:35
Q4: How is the notion of Tanzil (descent of God’s message) distinct from that of Tajalli (Gods’ manifestation). 07:36 – 09:36
Q5: Why have you chosen surah al-Fatiha for detailed reflection? 09:37 – 15:28
Q6: Surah al-Insan, unlike other surahs in the book, is a long one. Why did you choose this Surah? 15:29 – 19:24
Q7: What are your concluding thoughts about the book? 19:25 – 22:17
https://iis.ac.uk/video/interview-dr-re ... -teachings
Salvation and Destiny in Islam: The Shi'i Ismaili Perspective of Hamid al-Kirmani
Medieval Islamic philosophers were deeply occupied with questions of predestination and salvation. Debates surrounding human responsibility for their actions, together with issues of cosmology, the notion of imamate and the eschatological role of the prophets and Imams were central Ismaili concerns. These were also a matter of doctrinal controversy within the so-called Iranian school of Ismaili philosophical theology. Ḥamīd al-Dīn al-Kirmānī (d. after 411/1020) was one of the most important theologians in the Fatimid period, who rose to prominence during the reign of the Imam-caliph al-Ḥākim bi-Amr Allāh (r. 386/996-411/1021). He is renowned for blending a number of philosophical traditions, including Neoplatonism, with Ismaili religious tradition.
This book provides an analysis of al-Kirmānī’s thought and sheds new light on the many layers of allusion which characterise his writings. Through a translation and analytical commentary of the eighth chapter of al-Kirmānī's Kitāb al-Riyāḍ (Book of Meadows), which is devoted to the subject of divine preordination and human redemption, Maria De Cillis shows readers first-hand his theologically distinctive interpretation of qaḍāʾ and qadar (divine decree and destiny). Here, al-Kirmānī attempts to harmonise the views of earlier renowned Ismaili missionaries, Abū Ḥātim Aḥmad b. Ḥamdān al-Rāzī (d. 322/934), Muḥammad b. Aḥmad al-Nasafī (d. 332/943) and Abū Yaʿqūb Isḥāq b. Aḥmad al-Sijistānī (d. c. 361/971). De Cillis skillfully guides the reader through al-Kirmānī's metaphysical and esoteric correspondences, offering new insights into Shiʿi/Ismaili philosophical thought which will be of great interest to those in the field of Shiʿi studies and, more broadly, to scholars of medieval philosophy.
https://iis.ac.uk/publication/salvation ... erspective
Medieval Islamic philosophers were deeply occupied with questions of predestination and salvation. Debates surrounding human responsibility for their actions, together with issues of cosmology, the notion of imamate and the eschatological role of the prophets and Imams were central Ismaili concerns. These were also a matter of doctrinal controversy within the so-called Iranian school of Ismaili philosophical theology. Ḥamīd al-Dīn al-Kirmānī (d. after 411/1020) was one of the most important theologians in the Fatimid period, who rose to prominence during the reign of the Imam-caliph al-Ḥākim bi-Amr Allāh (r. 386/996-411/1021). He is renowned for blending a number of philosophical traditions, including Neoplatonism, with Ismaili religious tradition.
This book provides an analysis of al-Kirmānī’s thought and sheds new light on the many layers of allusion which characterise his writings. Through a translation and analytical commentary of the eighth chapter of al-Kirmānī's Kitāb al-Riyāḍ (Book of Meadows), which is devoted to the subject of divine preordination and human redemption, Maria De Cillis shows readers first-hand his theologically distinctive interpretation of qaḍāʾ and qadar (divine decree and destiny). Here, al-Kirmānī attempts to harmonise the views of earlier renowned Ismaili missionaries, Abū Ḥātim Aḥmad b. Ḥamdān al-Rāzī (d. 322/934), Muḥammad b. Aḥmad al-Nasafī (d. 332/943) and Abū Yaʿqūb Isḥāq b. Aḥmad al-Sijistānī (d. c. 361/971). De Cillis skillfully guides the reader through al-Kirmānī's metaphysical and esoteric correspondences, offering new insights into Shiʿi/Ismaili philosophical thought which will be of great interest to those in the field of Shiʿi studies and, more broadly, to scholars of medieval philosophy.
https://iis.ac.uk/publication/salvation ... erspective
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x75jqc9
Full version The Ismailis: An Illustrated History Review
Ernestodwerghbe
2 days ago|0 view
https://haikzalpek345.blogspot.com/?book=1898592268
The Ismailis are a geographically, linguistically and ethnically diverse Shia Muslim community the second largest in the world. Scattered in more than twenty countries of Asia, Africa, Europe and North America, they are currently led by their 49th Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan. In four chapters, this book traces their history within the wider context of Islamic history and the world in general, over the better part of 1400 years. Each chapter is fully illustrated and accompanied by relevant maps and diagrams such as genealogical charts. The book has more than 300 illustrations, most in colour, consisting of images from illustrated manuscripts, artefacts, architecture, community documents, as well as important historical and contemporary photographs of members of the Ismaili community (many from private collections and archives) and the varied geographical contexts in which they live. A chronology of key events, a glossary of important terms, and a bibliography are also provided.
Full version The Ismailis: An Illustrated History Review
Ernestodwerghbe
2 days ago|0 view
https://haikzalpek345.blogspot.com/?book=1898592268
The Ismailis are a geographically, linguistically and ethnically diverse Shia Muslim community the second largest in the world. Scattered in more than twenty countries of Asia, Africa, Europe and North America, they are currently led by their 49th Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan. In four chapters, this book traces their history within the wider context of Islamic history and the world in general, over the better part of 1400 years. Each chapter is fully illustrated and accompanied by relevant maps and diagrams such as genealogical charts. The book has more than 300 illustrations, most in colour, consisting of images from illustrated manuscripts, artefacts, architecture, community documents, as well as important historical and contemporary photographs of members of the Ismaili community (many from private collections and archives) and the varied geographical contexts in which they live. A chronology of key events, a glossary of important terms, and a bibliography are also provided.
Islam: An Illustrated Journey
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-O5LZ8eMrI
*******
Lavishly illustrated and written in a style accessible to all, Islam: An Illustrated Journey tells the story of Islam. Beginning in the world of late antiquity and the pre-Islamic period, the book takes the reader through Islam’s formative era and early development in the Arabian peninsula, the rise and decline of its major dynasties, including the Umayyads, Abbasids, Fatimids, Mughals, Safavids, Ottomans and finally up to its place in the modern world.
Islam: An Illustrated Journey includes detailed information on the Shiʿi tradition and its distinctive and important contributions to Islamic civilisation. Throughout, the book provides portraits of diverse Muslim traditions and communities of interpretation, past and present.
The book complements the popular Golden Jubilee publication, The Ismailis: An Illustrated History, by situating the history of the Ismailis within the context of diverse Muslim communities of interpretation. It offers a clear and comprehensive introduction for all those curious about the history, landscape, thought, heritage and material culture of Muslim civilisation.
Discover untold stories of key events, personalities and achievements in Islamic history across all the major regions of the Muslim world.
https://the.ismaili/usa/islam-illustrated-journey
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-O5LZ8eMrI
*******
Lavishly illustrated and written in a style accessible to all, Islam: An Illustrated Journey tells the story of Islam. Beginning in the world of late antiquity and the pre-Islamic period, the book takes the reader through Islam’s formative era and early development in the Arabian peninsula, the rise and decline of its major dynasties, including the Umayyads, Abbasids, Fatimids, Mughals, Safavids, Ottomans and finally up to its place in the modern world.
Islam: An Illustrated Journey includes detailed information on the Shiʿi tradition and its distinctive and important contributions to Islamic civilisation. Throughout, the book provides portraits of diverse Muslim traditions and communities of interpretation, past and present.
The book complements the popular Golden Jubilee publication, The Ismailis: An Illustrated History, by situating the history of the Ismailis within the context of diverse Muslim communities of interpretation. It offers a clear and comprehensive introduction for all those curious about the history, landscape, thought, heritage and material culture of Muslim civilisation.
Discover untold stories of key events, personalities and achievements in Islamic history across all the major regions of the Muslim world.
https://the.ismaili/usa/islam-illustrated-journey
Omar Alí-de-Unzaga (ed.), Fortresses of the Intellect: Ismaili and Other Islamic Studies in Honour of Farhad Daftary
Dedicated to the achievements of Farhad Daftary, the foremost authority in Ismaili Studies of our time, this volume gathers together a number of studies on intellectual and political history, particularly in the three main areas where the significance of Daftary’s scholarship has had the largest impact – Ismaili Studies as well as Persian Studies and Shi‘i Studies in a wider context. It focuses, but not exclusively, on the intellectual production of the Ismailis and their role in history, with discussions ranging from some of the earliest Ismaili texts, to thinkers from the Fatimid and the Alamut periods as well as relations of the Fatimids with other dynasties. Containing essays from some of the most respected scholars in Ismaili, Shi‘i and Persian Studies (including Patricia Crone, M A Amir-Moezzi, C Edmund Bosworth and Robert Gleave), the book makes a significant contribution to wider scholarship in philosophical theology and medieval Islam.
More...
https://www.academia.edu/2039353/Omar_A ... view-paper
Dedicated to the achievements of Farhad Daftary, the foremost authority in Ismaili Studies of our time, this volume gathers together a number of studies on intellectual and political history, particularly in the three main areas where the significance of Daftary’s scholarship has had the largest impact – Ismaili Studies as well as Persian Studies and Shi‘i Studies in a wider context. It focuses, but not exclusively, on the intellectual production of the Ismailis and their role in history, with discussions ranging from some of the earliest Ismaili texts, to thinkers from the Fatimid and the Alamut periods as well as relations of the Fatimids with other dynasties. Containing essays from some of the most respected scholars in Ismaili, Shi‘i and Persian Studies (including Patricia Crone, M A Amir-Moezzi, C Edmund Bosworth and Robert Gleave), the book makes a significant contribution to wider scholarship in philosophical theology and medieval Islam.
More...
https://www.academia.edu/2039353/Omar_A ... view-paper
Approaches to the Qur’an in Contemporary Iran
Synopsis
Approaches to the Qur’an in Contemporary Iran explores the importance of the reception of the Qur’an in the religious, intellectual, political and artistic discourses in modern and contemporary Iran, from the nineteenth century to the present.
The chapters included in the volume have been written by some of the most authoritative specialists in the modern history of Iran. Their contributions span a wide range of subjects and themes, covering such varied ground as the examination of the trends in Qur’anic exegesis that are currently prominent in Iran, the use of Qur’anic themes in contemporary Iranian cinema, the concept of revelation as the basis of diverse political trends in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Sufi mystical interpretations of the Qur’an, the use of the Qur’an in the arts, the Qur’an as a living scripture in specific intellectual and social circles, and case studies of individual intellectuals.
More...
https://iis.ac.uk/publication/approache ... orary-iran
Synopsis
Approaches to the Qur’an in Contemporary Iran explores the importance of the reception of the Qur’an in the religious, intellectual, political and artistic discourses in modern and contemporary Iran, from the nineteenth century to the present.
The chapters included in the volume have been written by some of the most authoritative specialists in the modern history of Iran. Their contributions span a wide range of subjects and themes, covering such varied ground as the examination of the trends in Qur’anic exegesis that are currently prominent in Iran, the use of Qur’anic themes in contemporary Iranian cinema, the concept of revelation as the basis of diverse political trends in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Sufi mystical interpretations of the Qur’an, the use of the Qur’an in the arts, the Qur’an as a living scripture in specific intellectual and social circles, and case studies of individual intellectuals.
More...
https://iis.ac.uk/publication/approache ... orary-iran
Intellectual Interactions in the Islamic World: The Ismaili Thread
Synopsis:
How has the Ismaili branch of Shi‘i Islam interacted with other Islamic communities throughout history? The groups and movements that make up Islamic civilisation are diverse and varied yet, while scholarship has analysed many branches of Islam in isolation, the exchanges and mutual influences between them has not been sufficiently recognised. This book traces the interactions between Ismaili intellectual thought and the philosophies of other Islamic groups to shed light on the complex and interwoven nature of Islamic civilisations.
Based on a broad range of primary sources from the early medieval to the late nineteenth century, the book brings together different disciplines within Islamic Studies to cover polemical and doctrinal literature, law, mysticism, rituals and philosophy. The main Ismaili groups, such as the Fatimids, Nizaris and Tayyibis, are represented, as well as lesser known traditions such as that associated with the mountain region of Badakhshan in Central Asia. Religious syncretism, particularly in the Indian subcontinent and in Yemen, is considered alongside cultural interactions as reflected in the circulation of books in Fatimid markets, and various literary and mythical traditions, some still little explored. The chapters include contributions from leading experts in the field, shedding new light on the close and complex relationships different Islamic groups have enjoyed with one another throughout the centuries.
https://iis.ac.uk/publication/intellect ... amic-world
Synopsis:
How has the Ismaili branch of Shi‘i Islam interacted with other Islamic communities throughout history? The groups and movements that make up Islamic civilisation are diverse and varied yet, while scholarship has analysed many branches of Islam in isolation, the exchanges and mutual influences between them has not been sufficiently recognised. This book traces the interactions between Ismaili intellectual thought and the philosophies of other Islamic groups to shed light on the complex and interwoven nature of Islamic civilisations.
Based on a broad range of primary sources from the early medieval to the late nineteenth century, the book brings together different disciplines within Islamic Studies to cover polemical and doctrinal literature, law, mysticism, rituals and philosophy. The main Ismaili groups, such as the Fatimids, Nizaris and Tayyibis, are represented, as well as lesser known traditions such as that associated with the mountain region of Badakhshan in Central Asia. Religious syncretism, particularly in the Indian subcontinent and in Yemen, is considered alongside cultural interactions as reflected in the circulation of books in Fatimid markets, and various literary and mythical traditions, some still little explored. The chapters include contributions from leading experts in the field, shedding new light on the close and complex relationships different Islamic groups have enjoyed with one another throughout the centuries.
https://iis.ac.uk/publication/intellect ... amic-world
Virtual Book Launch - Beyond the Mosque
Learn about the diverse places of worship that are part of the religious lives of over 1.6 billion Muslims.
Rizwan Mawani, author of “Beyond the Mosque: Diverse Spaces of Muslim Worship” will discuss his latest publication in the Institute of Ismaili Studies' World of Islam series.
Tune in to the live stream at iicanada.live on Sunday, May 17 at 2:00pm PT | 3:00pm MT | 5:00pm ET
Learn about the diverse places of worship that are part of the religious lives of over 1.6 billion Muslims.
Rizwan Mawani, author of “Beyond the Mosque: Diverse Spaces of Muslim Worship” will discuss his latest publication in the Institute of Ismaili Studies' World of Islam series.
Tune in to the live stream at iicanada.live on Sunday, May 17 at 2:00pm PT | 3:00pm MT | 5:00pm ET
An Anthology of Qur'anic Commentaries, Vol. 2: On Women
by: Dr. Karen Bauer Dr. Feras Hamza
Oxford University Press in association with The Institute of Ismaili Studies.
ISBN HardBack:
978-0-19-284285-5
Buy the book
Keywords:
Quranic Commentaries Women in Quran
Building on the success of Anthology, Volume I: On the Nature of the Divine, this second volume in the series focuses on a critical and contentious theme: Women in the Quran and traditional Quranic commentaries. It comprises analysis of the female subject in the Quran, annotated translations of Quranic commentaries spanning 12 centuries, interviews of contemporary Muslim scholars and extensive introductory materials, which frame the work throughout and render these technically complex materials accessible to the reader.
On Women begins with a critical introduction to the study of women and gender in the genre of Quranic commentaries. A unique prolegomenon then follows key Quranic terms in a chronological sequence, showing how the Quran’s world view on women developed from the earliest Meccan revelations, when women were addressed only implicitly as a part of households or in the course of anti-pagan polemic, to the period of the final revelations in Medina, when women were addressed directly as pious and social subjects.
The remainder of the volume translates, critically annotates, and analyses interpretations of six select Quranic verses on women. These verses, chosen because of their relevance to women’s lived experience, speak of the creation of humankind beginning with a single soul (Q. 4:1); the exemplary figure of Mary, the mother of Jesus (Q. 3:35–6); women’s status in marriage (Q. 4:34); women’s legal testimony and hence legal capacity (Q. 2:282); and ‘veiling’ as it relates to Qur’anic norms of modesty (Q. 24:31). While highlighting variation, continuity, and plurality in the genre of Quranic commentaries, Volume II goes beyond medieval interpretive paradigms to include perspectives marginalised by that tradition, such as the voices of women themselves.
Watch an interview with amina wadud - in October 2020 https://www.iis.ac.uk/video/anthology-q ... mina-wadud , Karen Bauer and Feras Hamza interviewed the renowned feminist amina wadud about verses 4.34 (on spousal relations), 4.1 (on the creation of humankind) and 24.31 (on the veil). An edited version of this interview appears in the book.
https://www.iis.ac.uk/publication/antho ... ol-2-women
by: Dr. Karen Bauer Dr. Feras Hamza
Oxford University Press in association with The Institute of Ismaili Studies.
ISBN HardBack:
978-0-19-284285-5
Buy the book
Keywords:
Quranic Commentaries Women in Quran
Building on the success of Anthology, Volume I: On the Nature of the Divine, this second volume in the series focuses on a critical and contentious theme: Women in the Quran and traditional Quranic commentaries. It comprises analysis of the female subject in the Quran, annotated translations of Quranic commentaries spanning 12 centuries, interviews of contemporary Muslim scholars and extensive introductory materials, which frame the work throughout and render these technically complex materials accessible to the reader.
On Women begins with a critical introduction to the study of women and gender in the genre of Quranic commentaries. A unique prolegomenon then follows key Quranic terms in a chronological sequence, showing how the Quran’s world view on women developed from the earliest Meccan revelations, when women were addressed only implicitly as a part of households or in the course of anti-pagan polemic, to the period of the final revelations in Medina, when women were addressed directly as pious and social subjects.
The remainder of the volume translates, critically annotates, and analyses interpretations of six select Quranic verses on women. These verses, chosen because of their relevance to women’s lived experience, speak of the creation of humankind beginning with a single soul (Q. 4:1); the exemplary figure of Mary, the mother of Jesus (Q. 3:35–6); women’s status in marriage (Q. 4:34); women’s legal testimony and hence legal capacity (Q. 2:282); and ‘veiling’ as it relates to Qur’anic norms of modesty (Q. 24:31). While highlighting variation, continuity, and plurality in the genre of Quranic commentaries, Volume II goes beyond medieval interpretive paradigms to include perspectives marginalised by that tradition, such as the voices of women themselves.
Watch an interview with amina wadud - in October 2020 https://www.iis.ac.uk/video/anthology-q ... mina-wadud , Karen Bauer and Feras Hamza interviewed the renowned feminist amina wadud about verses 4.34 (on spousal relations), 4.1 (on the creation of humankind) and 24.31 (on the veil). An edited version of this interview appears in the book.
https://www.iis.ac.uk/publication/antho ... ol-2-women
THU Feb 10 • 12pm PT | 3pm ET • Webinar
Ismaili Festivals: Stories of Celebration Book Launch
The Institute of Ismaili Studies and Ismaili Tariqah and Religious Education Board (ITREB)-UK, warmly invite you to join the webcast for the Ismaili Festivals: Stories of Celebration book launch event with author Dr. Shiraz Kabani in conversation with host Nina Hirji Kheraj at the Ismaili Centre, London on Thursday, February 10.
The conversation will explore the stories of celebration and lived experiences of Ismailis that inspired the book, and will be accompanied by live musical performances. Copies of the book are available to order via your local ITREB.
Please register to receive the livestream link for the event.
Register - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ismaili- ... 1174719347
Re: IIS Catalogue and Publications
Central Asian Ismailis
An Annotated Bibliography of Russian, Tajik and Other Sources
https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/central-a ... 755644964/
Description
The Shi'i Ismaili Muslims of Central Asia have a complex political history. This open access book is the first English-language study of the Ismaili Muslims in this region, based on analysis of the Russian, Soviet and post-Soviet scholarship about them. It sheds new light on their history and heritage, and also shows how the Ismailis of Central Asia have been understood and presented in the academic literature.
Divided into three parts, the first covers the spread of the Ismaili da'wa (mission) throughout Central Asia - known as Khurasan - from the 3rd/9th century until modern times. This part examines the prominent poet da'i Nasir-i Khusraw, who played an instrumental role in the expansion and development of Ismailism in Badakhshan in the eleventh century and reveals the impact of his religio-philosophical legacy in the life of the contemporary community. The second part examines the initial interest in Ismaili Studies engendered by Russian imperial rule. It also shows how approaches to the study of Ismailism were affected by 70 years of Communist atheist rule and the demise of the Communist political and ideological system. The third part presents an annotated bibliography of books, articles, and published and unpublished materials, including documents and oral materials on the history, thought and practices of the Ismailis of Central Asia, most of which has not been hitherto easily accessible to Western scholarship.
The comprehensive survey and rich bibliography aims to illuminate the history and historiography of the Ismailis in Central Asia and facilitate further study on the subject by experts around the world.
Table of Contents
Preface
Abbreviations
Notes on Transliteration and Names
CHAPTER I: The History of Ismailism in Central Asia
Early Ismaili History in Central Asia
Activities of the Ismaili Da'wa in Central Asia
The History of Ismailism in Badakhshan
Nasir-i Khusraw and the Ismailis of Badakhshan
Badakhshani Ismailis during Alamut period
Taqiyya and the Ismailis in the Post-Alamut era
The Hudud al-Din in the Context of Central Asia
The Concepts of Pir and Pirship in Central Asia
The Political History of Badakhshan
The Russian Revolution and the Panjebhai Movement
The Ismaili Community in the Soviet Era
The Ismaili Community in Post-Soviet Era
CHAPTER II: The Study of Ismailism by Russian, Soviet and Post-Soviet Scholars
The Ismailis under Russian and Soviet Rule
Ismailism in Soviet Studies
Soviet Scholars on Ismailism
Manuscripts Discovered in Badakhshan
Ismailism in Post-Soviet Studies
Outline of the Activities and Projects Conducted by Manuscript Office
Post-Soviet Scholars on Ismailism
References
CHAPTER III: Bibliography of Works by Russian, Soviet and Post-Soviet Scholars
Show less
About the Author
Dagikhudo Dagiev is a Senior Research Associate at The Institute of Ismaili Studies, London, UK, where his research areas include contemporary societies in post-Communist Central Asia, their history, religion and nationalism. He obtained his PhD in the Department of Political Science from University College London (UCL), UK.
Join the Central Asian Research Review book discussion on March 25, 2022. Register for this event here: http://shorturl.at/ciosF
An Annotated Bibliography of Russian, Tajik and Other Sources
https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/central-a ... 755644964/
Description
The Shi'i Ismaili Muslims of Central Asia have a complex political history. This open access book is the first English-language study of the Ismaili Muslims in this region, based on analysis of the Russian, Soviet and post-Soviet scholarship about them. It sheds new light on their history and heritage, and also shows how the Ismailis of Central Asia have been understood and presented in the academic literature.
Divided into three parts, the first covers the spread of the Ismaili da'wa (mission) throughout Central Asia - known as Khurasan - from the 3rd/9th century until modern times. This part examines the prominent poet da'i Nasir-i Khusraw, who played an instrumental role in the expansion and development of Ismailism in Badakhshan in the eleventh century and reveals the impact of his religio-philosophical legacy in the life of the contemporary community. The second part examines the initial interest in Ismaili Studies engendered by Russian imperial rule. It also shows how approaches to the study of Ismailism were affected by 70 years of Communist atheist rule and the demise of the Communist political and ideological system. The third part presents an annotated bibliography of books, articles, and published and unpublished materials, including documents and oral materials on the history, thought and practices of the Ismailis of Central Asia, most of which has not been hitherto easily accessible to Western scholarship.
The comprehensive survey and rich bibliography aims to illuminate the history and historiography of the Ismailis in Central Asia and facilitate further study on the subject by experts around the world.
Table of Contents
Preface
Abbreviations
Notes on Transliteration and Names
CHAPTER I: The History of Ismailism in Central Asia
Early Ismaili History in Central Asia
Activities of the Ismaili Da'wa in Central Asia
The History of Ismailism in Badakhshan
Nasir-i Khusraw and the Ismailis of Badakhshan
Badakhshani Ismailis during Alamut period
Taqiyya and the Ismailis in the Post-Alamut era
The Hudud al-Din in the Context of Central Asia
The Concepts of Pir and Pirship in Central Asia
The Political History of Badakhshan
The Russian Revolution and the Panjebhai Movement
The Ismaili Community in the Soviet Era
The Ismaili Community in Post-Soviet Era
CHAPTER II: The Study of Ismailism by Russian, Soviet and Post-Soviet Scholars
The Ismailis under Russian and Soviet Rule
Ismailism in Soviet Studies
Soviet Scholars on Ismailism
Manuscripts Discovered in Badakhshan
Ismailism in Post-Soviet Studies
Outline of the Activities and Projects Conducted by Manuscript Office
Post-Soviet Scholars on Ismailism
References
CHAPTER III: Bibliography of Works by Russian, Soviet and Post-Soviet Scholars
Show less
About the Author
Dagikhudo Dagiev is a Senior Research Associate at The Institute of Ismaili Studies, London, UK, where his research areas include contemporary societies in post-Communist Central Asia, their history, religion and nationalism. He obtained his PhD in the Department of Political Science from University College London (UCL), UK.
Join the Central Asian Research Review book discussion on March 25, 2022. Register for this event here: http://shorturl.at/ciosF