The Formation of Islam
Religion and Society in the Near East, 600–1800

This 2005 book surveys the religious history of the peoples of the Near East from 600–1800.

Jonathan P. Berkey (Author)

9780521588133, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 23 December 2002

301 pages, 3 maps
22.9 x 15.3 x 2 cm, 0.438 kg

'… a fascinating, complex and dynamic plot, that is both chronological and thematic. The narrative is packed with information and interpretations, sometimes conflicting interpretations that challenge the traditional story, or criticize the theory of a particular historical school. But, condensed as it is, Berkey enlivens it with anecdotes, verses of poetry, quotations of hadith or particular scences of medieval life.' Jerusalem Studies in Arabic and Islam

Jonathan Berkey's 2003 book surveys the religious history of the peoples of the Near East from roughly 600 to 1800 CE. The opening chapter examines the religious scene in the Near East in late antiquity, and the religious traditions which preceded Islam. Subsequent chapters investigate Islam's first century and the beginnings of its own traditions, the 'classical' period from the accession of the Abbasids to the rise of the Buyid amirs, and thereafter the emergence of new forms of Islam in the middle period. Throughout, close attention is paid to the experiences of Jews and Christians, as well as Muslims. The book stresses that Islam did not appear all at once, but emerged slowly, as part of a prolonged process whereby it was differentiated from other religious traditions and, indeed, that much that we take as characteristic of Islam is in fact the product of the medieval period.

Part I. The Near East before Islam: 1. Introduction
2. The religions of late antiquity
3. Arabia before Islam
4. The early seventh century
Part II. The Emergence of Islam, 600–750: 5. Approaches and problems
6. The origins of the Muslim community
7. Early Islam in the Near East
8. The Umayyad period
9. The beginnings of sectarianism
10. The non-Muslims of early Islam
11. The 'Abbasid revolution
Part III. The Consolidation of Islam, 750–1000: 12. Issues of Islamic identity
13. Religion and politics
14. Shi'ism
15. The formation of Sunni traditionalism
16. Asceticism and mysticism
17. The non-Muslim communities
Part IV. Medieval Islam, 1000–1500: 18. The medieval Islamic Near East
19. A Sunni 'revival'?
20. Common patterns in social and political organization
21. Modes of justice
22. The transmission of religious knowledge
23. Sufism
24. Popular religion
Epilogue: 25. From medieval to modern Islam.

Subject Areas: Islamic studies [JFSR2], History of religion [HRAX], Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], Asian history [HBJF]