Description
Book SynopsisJustice rather than the jihad or
Trade ReviewBaker masterfully weaves together several critical threads in Islam -- the story of Abu Dhar, Islam's Jesus, and the works of some of the most important figures behind Islam's Awakening, ranging from the scholar Muhammad al Ghazalli to the athlete Muhammad Ali -- to demonstrate Islam's persistent emphasis on justice. This is a book of impressive scope and depth, its focus all the more necessary in the world that today's Islam finds itself. * Mehran Kamrava, Professor of Government, Georgetown University Qatar *
In a captivating reading of the contemporary Islamic Awakening, Baker takes us on a journey to discover the normative strength of Islam. A series of vignettes show the enduring influence of Abu Dharr al-Ghifari on an array of contemporary Islamic intellectuals. Baker boldly treads on ground that few are capable of venturing while drawing on decades of personal exchanges in the Muslim world, interdisciplinary erudition, and a sensitive study of texts. Baker is on a scholarly quest for the 'Muslim Jesus' likely to resonate with diverse readers that have been inquisitive about Islamic renewal's reshaping of thought and society in the Muslim world. Baker does a fine job, succeeding to imbue his oeuvre's pages with much food for thought and comparative content for student and critic. * Larbi Sadiki, Author of The Search for Arab Democracy Rethinking Arab Democratization *
Baker correctly observes that the literature on political Islam has favored analysis of radical groups and radical Islamic ideas. To the extent that there has been discussion of more moderate forces, it has focused on organizations and their political activity (for example, on the Muslim Brotherhood's rise and development) rather than on the ideas that produced these movements and shaped their development. Baker's book helps to fill this gap in the literature. It provides a rich, careful, and serious consideration of the intellectual project of reformist Islam as embodied by six prominent figures in this effort. * Bruce Rutherford, Associate Professor of Political Science, Colgate University *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Chapter 1. Introduction: Anchored in Justice Chapter 2. Abu Dharr al Ghifari: Symbol of Justice, Lawyer of the Poor Chapter 3. Hassan al Banna and Sayyid Qutb: The School of the Muslim Brothers Chapter 4. Shaikh Muhammad al Ghazalli: The People's Shaikh Chapter 5. Sa'id Nursi: Jihadist of the Word Chapter 6. Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Fadlallah: Poet to Strategic Visionary Chapter 7. Grand Ayatollah Baqir al Sadr: Martyred Theorist of the Islamic Alternative Chapter 8. Ali Shariati: The Believing Revolutionary Chapter 9. Muhammad Ali: Global Caller to Islam Chapter 10. Conclusion: The Companion, the Prophets, and the Unseen Bibliography Glossary of Non-English Terms Index
