Islamic Thought: An Introduction

by Abdullah Saeed

Islamic Thought is a fresh and contemporary introduction to the philosophies and doctrines of Islam. Abdullah Saeed, a distinguished Muslim scholar, traces the development of religious knowledge in Islam, from the pre-modern to the modern period. The book focuses on Muslim thought, as well as the development, production and transmission of religious knowledge, and the trends, schools and movements that have contributed to the production of this knowledge. Key topics in Islamic culture are explored, including the development of the Islamic intellectual tradition, the two foundation texts, the Qur’an and Hadith, legal thought, theological thought, mystical thought, Islamic Art, philosophical thought, political thought, and renewal, reform and rethinking today. Through this rich and varied discussion, Saeed presents a fascinating depiction of how Islam was lived in the past and how its adherents practise it in the present. Islamic Thought is essential reading for students beginning the study of Islam but will also interest anyone seeking to learn more about one of the world’s great religions.

Genres: Islam, Religion, Nonfiction

222 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2006

About the author

Abdullah Saeed is the Sultan of Oman Professor of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Melbourne. He is also the director of the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies (a cooperative initiative of the University of Melbourne, University of Western Sydney, and Griffith University) and co-director of Melbourne's Centre for Islamic Law and Society. His publications cover Qur’anic hermeneutics, Islam and human rights, Islamic law reform, Islamic finance, Muslim communities in Australia, and Islam and freedom of religion. His publications include The Qur’an: an Introduction (2008) and Freedom of Religion, Apostasy and Islam (2004). Born in the Maldives, Saeed received his B.A. in Arab/Islamic Studies from the Islamic University (Saudi Arabia) and his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies from the University of Melbourne.

Reviews

[Brad East · Rating 2 out of 5]

This might work as a classroom textbook, but it did not work in the way I had hoped it would: as a sustained engagement and introduction to historic Islamic thought. It comes across much of the time as a superficial survey, giving only the briefest of summaries to complex ideas and figures, and the barest of historical context. A couple of the chapters are solid, but I just started skimming until something interesting caught my eye. Disappointed.