The Formation of Islam: Religion and Society in the Near East, 600-1800 / Edition 1

by Jonathan P. Berkey

Overview

Jonathan Berkey surveys the religious history of the peoples of the Near East from approximately 600 to 1800 c.e. After examining the religious scene in the Near East in late antiquity, he investigates Islam's first century, the "classical" period from the accession of the Abbasids to the rise of the Buyid amirs. He then traces the emergence of new forms of Islam in the middle period, deftly showing how Islam emerged slowly as part of a prolonged process.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521588133
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	12/23/2002
Series:	Themes in Islamic History , #2
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	301
Product dimensions:	6.02(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.79(d)

About the Author

Jonathan P. Berkey is Associate Professor of History at Davidson College. His publications include Popular Preaching and Religious Authority in the Medieval Islamic Near East (2001).

Table of Contents

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.

Editorial Reviews

"Berkey provides a well-synthesized basis for the understanding of Islamic history on a broad basis. He has drawn on a significant range of scholarship and has provided extensive footnotes which will help students in their research work in secondary sources." Canadian Journal of History

"...a vital aid to academics and advanced students alike." American Historical Review

"A well-written and insightful presentation of Islam's historical development...Highly recommended." Choice

From the Publisher