Politics, Law, and Community in Islamic Thought
The Taymiyyan Moment

This study reassesses the influence and philosophy of Ibn Taymiyya, one of the greatest medieval Islamic theologians.

Ovamir Anjum (Author)

9781107014060, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 19 March 2012

314 pages
23.2 x 15.7 x 1.8 cm, 0.55 kg

"Politics, Law, and Community in Islamic Thought is a valuable contribution to the history of Islamic political experience. It approaches this rich history as a tradition of conflicting interpretations and debates that culminates in a fascinating re-examination of Ibn Taymiyya’s creative response to the politics and thought of his turbulent time. In this account Ibn Taymiyya emerges as an original political thinker who restored (and elaborated on) the central role of the community in theories of Islamic governance. This book deserves to be widely read not only by specialists in medieval Islamic history but also by all who are interested in contemporary Islamic thought." -Talal Asad, Professor of Anthropology, CUNY Graduate Center

This revisionist account of the history of Islamic political thought from the early to the late medieval period focuses on Ibn Taymiyya, one of the most brilliant theologians of his day. This original study demonstrates how his influence shed new light on the entire trajectory of Islamic political thought. Although he did not reject the Caliphate ideal, as is commonly believed, he nevertheless radically redefined it by turning it into a rational political institution intended to serve the community (umma). Through creative reinterpretation, he deployed the Qur'anic concept of fitra (divinely endowed human nature) to centre the community of believers and its common-sense reading of revelation as the highest epistemic authority. In this way, he subverted the elitism that had become ensconced in classical theological, legal and spiritual doctrines, and tried to revive the ethico-political, rather than strictly legal, dimension of Islam. In reassessing Ibn Taymiyya's work, this book marks a major departure from traditional interpretations of medieval Islamic thought.

Introduction
Part I. The Classical Legacy: 1. A tale of two visions: Shari'a and Siyasa in early Islam
2. The political thought of the classical period
3. Reason and community in the classical period
Part II. The Taymiyyan Intervention: 4. Ibn Taymiyya's world
5. Defending revelation and liberating reason
6. Fitra, community, and Islamic politics
7. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Islamic studies [JFSR2], History of ideas [JFCX], Islamic theology [HRHT], Religion & politics [HRAM2], Middle Eastern history [HBJF1], History [HB]