The Case for Studying Non-Muslim Islams
In this article we define a new concept that has not previously been theorized: non-Muslim Islam. We argue that theories and methodologies within Islamic studies produce a hierarchy between Muslim and non-Muslim productions of Islam, prioritizing the first. However, this article highlights that Isla...
Published in: | Method & theory in the study of religion |
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Authors: | ; |
Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
Brill
2023
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In: |
Method & theory in the study of religion
|
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Islam
/ Non-Muslim
/ Religious identity
/ Etic analysis
/ Anthropology of religion
/ Science ethics
|
RelBib Classification: | AA Study of religion AD Sociology of religion; religious policy BJ Islam NCJ Ethics of science |
Further subjects: | B
Ethics
B social semiotics B non-Muslim Islamic authority B Islamic semiotic resources B non-Muslim Islam B non-Muslim tradition of Islam interpretation |
Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) Volltext (kostenfrei) |
Summary: | In this article we define a new concept that has not previously been theorized: non-Muslim Islam. We argue that theories and methodologies within Islamic studies produce a hierarchy between Muslim and non-Muslim productions of Islam, prioritizing the first. However, this article highlights that Islam may be produced for other purposes than belief in a deity; Islam may for example be important in producing non-Muslim identity, politics, aesthetics, narratives, etc. We therefore argue the case for studying non-Muslim Islam, because: 1) Non-Muslim Islams play an important role in Euro-American societies and are therefore interesting in and of themselves; 2) Non-Muslim Islams have a significant impact on Muslim Islams, and thus, we will not understand Muslim Islams without a clear understanding of non-Muslim Islams; 3) It is a way of insisting on an etic research epistemology. The article ends with a discussion of ethical and strategic benefits of adopting this approach. |
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ISSN: | 1570-0682 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: Method & theory in the study of religion
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Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/15700682-bja10095 |