Patricia Crone's God's Rule is a fundamental reconstruction and analysis of Islamic political thought focusing on its intellectual development during the six centuries from the rise of Islam to the Mongol invasions. Based on a wide variety of primary sources―including some not previously considered from the point of view of political thought―this is the first book to examine the medieval Muslim answers to questions crucial to any Western understanding of Middle Eastern politics today; such as why states are necessary; what functions they are meant to fulfill; and whether or why they must be based on religious law. The character of Muslim political thought differs fundamentally from its counterpart in the West. The Christian West started with the conviction that truth (both cognitive and moral) and political power belonged to separate spheres. Ultimately; both power and truth originated with God; but they had distinct historical trajectories and regulated different aspects of life. The Muslims started with the opposite conviction: truth and power appeared at the same time in history and regulated the same aspects of life. In medieval Europe; the disagreement over the relationship between religious authority and political power took the form of a protracted controversy regarding the roles of church and state. In the medieval Middle East; religious authority and political power were embedded in a single; divinely sanctioned Islamic community―a congregation and state made one. The disagreement; therefore; took the form of a protracted controversy over the nature and function of the leadership of Islam itself. Crone makes Islamic political thought accessible by relating it to the contexts in which it was formulated; analyzing it in terms familiar to today's reader; and; where possible; comparing it with medieval European and modern political thought. By examining the ideological point of departure for medieval Islamic political thought; Crone provides an invaluable foundation for a better understanding of contemporary Middle Eastern politics and current world events.
#119610 in Books Diana L Eck 1998-04-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.97 x .38 x 5.98l; .42 #File Name: 023111265397 pagesDarsan Seeing the Divine Image in India
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent read and very educationalBy herndonchicExcellent read and very educational. I wanted to read it again as soon as I had finished it; tonreally let the information settle in. This is a doorway into the Hindu world; and I truly enjoyed the journey.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A New PerspectiveBy Ariz_MountaineerI used this book in my Religions of India class at West Virginia University and it was a WONDERFUL learning tool. Diana Eck addresses Hinduism from a perspective that most westerners have never considered. There is a lot of information in this book that helps to describe both the concepts of Hindu worship and some of its history. I definitely recommend this if you are interested in world religions or the varieties of religious experience.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Explains darshanBy skittlesThis is the third edition of a very good book by a scholar of Indian art. It explains the idea of darshan--that the devotee not only sees the sacred image; but that the deity sees them. Well written.
