Islamic Thought: An Introduction

by Abdullah Saeed

Islamic Thought is a comprehensive introduction to the philosophies, ideas and doctrines of Islam. Abdullah Saeed, a distinguished Muslim scholar, traces the development of religious knowledge from the pre-modern period to the present day. This book examines how Muslim thought has evolved, exploring the production, transmission, and interpretation of religious knowledge, and the trends, schools, and movements that have shaped it. Key topics in Islamic culture and thought are discussed, including the development of the Islamic intellectual tradition, the Qur’an and hadith, legal and theological thought, mystical traditions, Islamic art, philosophy, political thought, and contemporary renewal, reform, and rethinking.

This thoroughly revised edition offers expanded coverage of Shi‘i and other non-Sunni perspectives, alongside the significant emphasis on the Sunni tradition covered in the first edition. Through this rich and varied discussion, Saeed offers a compelling portrayal of the workings of Islamic thought, both past and present. Islamic Thought is essential reading for students approaching the study of Islam for the first time and for anyone interested in learning more about one of the world’s great religions.

Genres: Islam, Religion, Nonfiction

246 pages, Kindle Edition

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.