The Formative Period of Islamic Thought

This landmark book describes the course of religious thinking within Islam from the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632, to 950. Based on a critique of original Arabic sources, it demonstrates how various religious and political movement within Islam contributed to what has become its standard form. The book features discussions of: " The contribution of sects later regarded as heretical " The key interaction of politics and religion throughout Islamic history " The influence of Greek philosophy, including the debates between the Falasifa, " Mu?tazilites and Hanbalites " The maturing of Sunni theology Combining in-depth scholarship with a reader friendly style that assumes no extended knowledge of the subject, The Formative Period of Islamic Thought is a significant contribution towards a clearer understanding of the main currents of ideas in this important period.