Muslims under non-Muslim Rule. Ibn Taymiyya

MICHOT; Yahya

ISBN 10: 0955454522 / ISBN 13: 9780955454523

Published by Interface Publications, 2006

208 pages. 8.43x5.59x0.87 inches. In Stock. Seller Inventory # __0955454522

Synopsis:

Modern Islamist ideologues often appeal to the authority of Ibn Taymiyya (d. 1328) -- according to the Militant Ideology Atlas more than twice as often as to Ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab (of 'Wahhabism' fame). Many Western specialists also paint him as the godfather of uncompromising violent jihadism. In this book Michot overturns this conventional picture of Ibn Taymiyya. He presents close, careful translation of four fatwas by Ibn Taymiyya on how Muslims should respond when they come under non-Muslim rule: should they fight or quit such rule; if they should adjust to it, how and how far? Next, Michot translates passages from six modern authors reflecting on the same question, and referring to Ibn Taymiyya. Readers can judge for themselves how far modern militancy departs from the orthodox Islamic attitudes exemplified by Ibn Taymiyya. A detailed chronology of the life of this activist theologian shows that he practised what he preached. The Foreword by James Piscatori draws out the political implications of this stunning correction of the image of Ibn Taymiyya. It means that Islamic political activism need not be unintelligible, and response to it therefore needs to be more intelligent and nuanced than it usually is. This book should be required reading for teachers and students of the overlaps between religion, politics, identity and culture in Political Science, Religious Studies/Theology, Middle East/ Islamic Studies, International Relations, Counter-Terrorism. James Piscatori is a member of the Social Sciences faculty and the Centre for International Studies, Oxford University. Professor Michot, one of the Western world's leading authorities on Avicenna and Ibn Taymiyya, is a member of the Theology faculty. Both are fellows of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. Note: This book is very much an Oxford professor's take on the topic. So it has a lot of footnotes, some very long, plus a long bibliography and very detailed indexes.

About the Author: Western academic world's leading authority on Avicenna and Ibn Taymiyya. Former Chair of theology Catholic U. Louvain. Now Fellow of Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, Lecturer in theology faculty University of Oxford. Author (mostly in French) of scores of works.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Muslims under non-Muslim Rule. Ibn Taymiyya
Publisher: Interface Publications
Publication Date: 2006
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Brand New