The Other in the Light of the One: The Universality of the Qur'an and Interfaith Dialogue

by Reza Shah-Kazemi

Based on a profound study of Sufi spiritual teachers that includes Ibn al-Arabi, Rumi, and Ghazali, this book attempts to answer questions about the place of the Qur'an in the world today, such as Does the Qur'an promote peace and harmony or discord and conflict? Does it contribute to pluralism or exclusivism? and Is its message spiritual or fanatical? As an invitation to study the universality that is undoubtedly present in the Qur'an, the book's aim is to relate some of the most profound interpretations of the Qur'an to philosophical and spiritual questions concerning interfaith dialogue. Rather than merely reproducing the ideas of the Sufis, it builds upon principles, takes advantage of insights, and applies them creatively to contemporary conditions, illustrating how a universalist perspective based on Sufi hermeneutics provides a third path between liberal pluralism and conservative exclusivism.

Genres: Islam

240 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2006

About the author

Dr. Reza Shah-Kazemi writes on a range of topics from metaphysics and doctrine to contemplation and prayer. He is presently a Research Associate at the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London, where, amongst other projects, he has been working on a new, annotated translation of Nahj al-Balagha, the discourses of Imam ‘Ali. Dr. Shah-Kazemi is also the founding editor of the Islamic World Report. His degrees include International Relations and Politics at Sussex and Exeter Universities, and a PhD in Comparative Religion from the University of Kent in 1994. He later acted as a consultant to the Institute for Policy Research in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia.

Dr. Shah-Kazemi has authored and translated several works, including Paths of Transcendence: Shankara, Ibn Arabi and Meister Eckhart on Transcendent Spiritual Realization (World Wisdom Books, 2006), Doctrines of Shi‘i Islam (I. B. Tauris in association with The Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2001), Avicenna: Prince of Physicians (Hood Hood, 1997) and Crisis in Chechnya (Islamic World Report, 1995). Reza Shah-Kazemi has edited several books, including Algeria: Revolution Revisited (Islamic World Report, 1997). He has also published numerous articles and reviews in academic journals.

Reviews

[Joseph Lumbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Examines verses of the Quran that discuss other religions in light of the Sufi principles of Quranic interpretation. An incredible achievement that should change the view of the way the Quran presents other religions for both Muslims and non-Muslims.