Animals in Islamic Tradition and Muslim Cultures

by Richard Foltz

Overview

From references to animals in the Qu'ran to modern-day websites on Islamic vegetarianism, Richard C. Foltz presents the first comprehensive study of the role of animals in the Islamic tradition. Drawing on a wide range of sources, including classic mysticism, Foltz traces the development of Islamic attitudes towards animals over the centuries and confronts the key ethical questions facing Muslims today. Modern advances in science and technology and the increasing prevalence of techniques such as bioengineering and factory farming have forced many religions to reassess their traditional notions of animal rights and, as Foltz demonstrates, Muslims are increasingly asking their tradition to respond to such issues. Scholarly yet accessible, this is an original and informative contribution to Islamic studies, and will be essential reading for anyone, Muslim or non-Muslim, with an interest in the significance of religion and culture for the contemporary animal rights debate.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781780746661
Publisher:	Oneworld Publications
Publication date:	10/01/2014
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	689 KB

About the Author

Richard C. Folz is Associate Professor of Religion at Concordia University, Montreal. A specialist in Iranian Studies, his research also focuses on the relationship between religion and nature, and on Muslim civilizations in general. He has lectured extensively in both America and the Middle East, and is the recipient of several scholarships and awards. His previous works include Spirituality in the Land of the Noble: How Iran shaped the World’s Religions (Oneworld 2004)

Table of Contents

Preface xi
Introduction: Islam, Muslims, and Non-human Animals 1
Muslims and Islam: Some Facts and Definitions 8
1 Animals in Islamic Source Texts 11
2 Animals in Islamic Law 29
3 Animals in Philosophy and Science 47
4 Animals in Literature and Art 65
5 Contemporary Muslim Views on
6 Towards an Islamic Vegetarianism 105
7 Muslim Attitudes Towards Dogs 129
Conclusions 145
Notes 153
Bibliography 173
Organizations 181
Index 184

Editorial Reviews

"Foltz's book encapulates, in a very brief and handy volume, most of the available information about animals in Islam."— Eco Islam

"A thoroughly researched and comprehensive study on Islam and Animal Welfare."— Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics

"A thoroughly researched and comprehensive study on Islam and Animal Welfare."— Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics

Article "For Pet's Sake: A religious debate on whether there's an afterlife for animals" mentions the books and discusses some of Foltz views.— Newsday.com

"This book endeavours to enlighten and inform the reader about the place of animals in Islam"— Muslim World Book Review

--Positive review in the magazine of the Danish Vegetarian Society, it is written in Danish.— Vegetaren

"Drawing on a wide range of sources, including classic texts in philosophy, literature and mysticism, Foltz traces the development of Islamic attitudes towards animals over the centuries and confronts some of the key ethical questions facing Muslims today."— Concordia Journal

"For those who wish to learn about animal rights and Islam, but who are beginners when it comes to either or both, this will be an interesting book and an easy read."— American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences

Article "For Pet's Sake: A religious debate on whether there's an afterlife for animals" mentions the books and discusses some of Foltz views.— Newsday.com

"This book endeavours to enlighten and inform the reader about the place of animals in Islam"— Muslim World Book Review

--Positive review in the magazine of the Danish Vegetarian Society, it is written in Danish.— Vegetaren

"Foltz's book encapulates, in a very brief and handy volume, most of the available information about animals in Islam."— Eco Islam

"Drawing on a wide range of sources, including classic texts in philosophy, literature and mysticism, Foltz traces the development of Islamic attitudes towards animals over the centuries and confronts some of the key ethical questions facing Muslims today."— Concordia Journal

"For those who wish to learn about animal rights and Islam, but who are beginners when it comes to either or both, this will be an interesting book and an easy read."— American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences

A marvellous piece of research, this book will help those interested in animals learn about Islam, and those familiar with Islam probe into the animal realm."— Christopher Key Chapple - Professor of theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University

"No work does so much to bring the reader abreast of human-animal relations in the Muslim world, or does so with such a combination of scholarship, sympathy, and bold critique."— Richard Bulliet - Professor of History, Columbia University; author of The Camel and the Wheel

"A marvellous piece of research, this book will help those interested in animals learn about Islam, and those familiar with Islam probe into the animal realm."— Christopher Key Chapple - Professor of theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University

"No work does so much to bring the reader abreast of human-animal relations in the Muslim world, or does so with such a combination of scholarship, sympathy, and bold critique."— Richard Bulliet - Professor of History, Columbia University; author of The Camel and the Wheel

From the Publisher