Mohammedanism: Lectures on its Origin, its Religious and Political Growth, and its Present State

by Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Genres: Islam

164 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1981

About the author

Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje was a Dutch scholar of Oriental cultures and languages and advisor on native affairs to the colonial government of the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia).

Reviews

[Cep Subhan KM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought the book even if I have read it before since I am the editor of this translation. It is the right of editor to get minimally one copy of the book, but I don't know why the right sometimes is nothing but a daydream. It is not a big problem actually, it is not a high-priced book even if it is a high-valued one.

Such interesting book, especially to imagine that at the time Hurgronje has the developed thought about Islam. Okay, I know that some people protested about the title "Muhammadanisme" but I think it is a critical cliche to be presented today. Repeating a common knowledge is something funny and it will be more interesting to discuss the book from contemporary view: it is provided so much by the book's contents.

[melancholinary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been interested in problematic and controversial Orientalists, and Snouck Hurgronje is one of them. It is fascinating to see how Hurgronje's views on Islam are both sympathetic and critical. In these lectures, he critiques Islam's views on women and politics. He mentions the tendency of polygamy in Islam, which echoes the teachings of polygamy from the time of Moses, after marriage in Christianity took the form of monogamy, as a result of the lack of education for women. In the political context, his close association with Wahhabi scholars undeniably biases his views, making his perspective on Shia a bit more judgmental (as also noted by the editor and translator of this book). What I like most here is the conceptualisation of Islamic Catholicism and the pretension of Islam to always want to universalise its teachings, whether through the path of the sword or diplomatically.

[Amalia Fathonaty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Menarik menemukan buku berisi kuliah Snouck. Mengingat Snouck tampaknya agak jarang dikenal, atau mungkin tidak pernah disebut di buku-buku sejarah. Pandangan Snouck tentang Islam atau ia menyebutnya Muhammadanisme diuraikan dalam empat bab. Mulai dari asal-usul Islam hingga Islam dan pemikiran modern. Pada bab Perkembangan Politik Islam, ada banyak hal yang saya baru ketahui. Hal-hal yang tidak disebutkan dalam buku-buku sejarah Islam di masa sekolah dulu. Tampaknya ini menjadi buku "berat" tapi "ringan", sekaligus spesial karena Snouck sendiri spesial. Ia menekuni Islam begitu dalam, sebagai seorang ilmuwan Belanda. Bagi saya itu keren 🤌

[Aliza Izet Hidayat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I realize this lecture was written in the late 19th century, but for that very reason I felt it would present a more objective view. Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje was a Dutch scholar, and one of the few Westerners allowed a pilgrimage to Mecca at that time. He was fluent in Arabic, and immersed himself in the study of Mohammedanism and Islam while living in Mecca.

This lecture is a comparative study of both the history and myths surrounding Mohammed. Because Hurgronje was a Christian who converted to Islam, I felt he had a broader understanding of the two theologies and how they relate. I wanted information that wasn't demonizing or romanticizing. I wanted understanding, not propaganda.

This is written in the formal, verbose speech of the time, so it's definitely not an easy read. But it's very enlightening and informative. For anyone who wants to get past the fear-mongering being dished out by anti-Islamists, this lecture gives clear insight to the origin and intent Mohammedanism. It explains the social, political, and religious foundations, which lends understanding to the eventual splintering factions.

People fear what they don't understand. This lecture may not have made me an expert on Islam, but it gave me a deeper, objective understanding. And I dare say, a certain amount of respect.