The Cambridge Companion to Classical Islamic Theology

This series of critical reflections on the evolution and major themes of pre-modern Muslim theology begins with the revelation of the Koran, and extends to the beginnings of modernity in the eighteenth century. The significance of Islamic theology reflects the immense importance of Islam in the history of monotheism, to which it has brought a unique approach and style, and a range of solutions which are of abiding interest. Devoting especial attention to questions of rationality, scriptural fidelity, and the construction of 'orthodoxy', this volume introduces key Muslim theories of revelation, creation, ethics, scriptural interpretation, law, mysticism, and eschatology. Throughout the treatment is firmly set in the historical, social and political context in which Islam's distinctive understanding of God evolved. Despite its importance, Islamic theology has been neglected in recent scholarship, and this book provides a unique, scholarly but accessible introduction.

Review:

'... a reader-friendly volume faithful to the Cambridge series' promise to 'provide an accessible and stimulating introduction to the subject for new readers and non-specialists'.' The Muslim World Book Review 'Tim Winter (University of Cambridge) has brought together fifteen essays on classical Islamic theology at an opportune time, given sentiment today, alerting us to developments in critical understanding of the early period of Islam (in this book, between the seventh century and the sixteenth), and showing us how key theological issues were teased out by various scholars and schools. In doing this, the companion succeeds in mediating what is often a marginalized area of Islamic studies for the ordinary reader ...' Reference Reviews