Jihād
Book Description
Scholar Reuven Firestone presents a groundbreaking examination of one of Islam's most misunderstood concepts, offering readers a fresh perspective on the historical development of jihad. Rather than accepting traditional interpretations, Firestone embarks on a meticulous investigation into the social and cultural forces that shaped this religious phenomenon during Islam's formative period.
Through careful analysis of Islamic texts and innovative application of anthropological and historical methodologies, the author reveals how jihad emerged from the unique cultural melting pot of seventh-century Medina. He demonstrates how pre-Islamic Arabian traditions merged with the revolutionary worldview of Islamic monotheism, creating something entirely new within the developing Muslim community.
Firestone challenges the conventional "evolutionary theory" of religious warfare that has dominated both medieval Islamic scholarship and Western academic understanding for centuries. His philological approach uncovers the complex interplay between ancient Arabian culture and emerging Islamic social structures, showing how these forces converged to produce the religious community known as the Umma.
This scholarly yet accessible work offers readers interested in religious studies, ethics, and Middle Eastern history a nuanced understanding of how spiritual movements develop within their cultural contexts. By examining the intersection of faith, society, and historical circumstance, Firestone provides valuable insights into the formation of religious concepts that continue to influence contemporary spiritual and political discourse.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Short (< 200 pages) (~5 hours)
🕉️ Tradition: Islam
📄 Length: 195 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore War
- ✓ Explore Aspect religieux
- ✓ Explore Islamic fundamentalism
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore War, religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects of War
- ✓ Explore Fundamentalisme
- ✓ Explore Djihad
