Philosophers, sufis, and caliphs: politics and authority from Cordoba to Cairo and Baghdad

What was the relationship between government and religion in Middle Eastern history? In a world of caliphs, sultans, and judges, who exercised political and religious authority? In this book, Ali Humayun Akhtar investigates debates about leadership that involved ruling circles and scholars of jurisp...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Akhtar, Ali Humayun (Author)
Format: Electronic/Print Book
Language:English
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Published: Cambridge, UK New York, NY Port Melbourne Delhi Singapore Cambridge University Press 2017
In:Year: 2017
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Califate / Abbasiden 749-1258 / Fatimids 909-1171 / Rule
B Authority / Islam / Politics / History 749-1258
B Rule / Ulama / Philosophy / Sufism / History 749-1258
RelBib Classification:BJ Islam
Further subjects:B Abbasids
B Islamic Philosophy
B Umayyad dynasty
B Sufis
B Sultans
B Caliphs
B Judges
B Islam and politics
B Philosophy, Ancient Influence
B Islamic Empire Politics and government
B Fatimites
Online Access: Table of Contents
Volltext (doi)
Parallel Edition:Electronic
Description
Summary:What was the relationship between government and religion in Middle Eastern history? In a world of caliphs, sultans, and judges, who exercised political and religious authority? In this book, Ali Humayun Akhtar investigates debates about leadership that involved ruling circles and scholars of jurisprudence and theology. At the heart of this story is a medieval rivalry between three caliphates: the Umayyads of Cordoba, the Fatimids of Cairo, and the Abbasids of Baghdad. In a fascinating revival of Late Antique Hellenism, Aristotelian and Platonic notions of wisdom became a key component of how these caliphs debated their authority as political leaders. By tracing how these political debates impacted the theological scholars and their own conception of communal guidance, Akhtar offers a new picture of premodern political authority and the connections between Western and Islamic civilizations. It will be of use to students and specialists of the premodern and modern Middle East
Introduction : Politics, Law, and Authority in the Abbasid and Fatimid Eras -- Philosophical Caliphs in Baghdad and Cairo and the Debate about falsafa -- A New Caliph in Cordoba and a Theologian's Reform of Philosophy -- Political Reform in Baghdad and its Legacy in Seville -- Sufis among Scholars in the Almoravid Era -- A Sufi Revolt in Portugal and its Platonizing Political Leadership -- Almohad Political Culture and the Patronage of Philosophy and Mysticism
Item Description:Literaturverzeichnis: Seite 241-258. - Index
ISBN:1107182018
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1017/9781316855669