Search results for ""Author Abbas Amanat""

Book SynopsisInterest in Shi'i Islam is running at unprecedented levels. International tensions over Iran, where the largest number of Shi'i Muslims live, as well as the political resurgence of the Shi'i in Iraq and Lebanon, have created an urgent need to understand the background, beliefs and motivations of this dynamic vision of Islam. Abbas Amanat is one of the leading scholars of Shi'ism. And in this powerful book, a showcase for some of his most influential writing in the field, he addresses the colourful and diverse history of Shi' Islam in both premodern and contemporary times.Focusing specifically on the importance of apocalypticism in the development of modern Shi'i theology, he shows how an immersion in messianic ideas has shaped the conservative character of much Shi'i thinking, and has prevented it from taking a more progressive course. Tracing the continuity of apocalyptic trends from the Middle Ages to the present, Amanat addresses such topics as the early influence on Shi'ism of Zoroastrianism; manifestations of apocalyptic ideology during the Iranian Revolution of 1979; and the rise of the Shi'i clerical establishment during the 19th and 20th centuries. His book will be an essential resource for students and scholars of both religious studies and Middle Eastern history.Trade Review'Abbas Amanat is among the brightest stars in the firmament of historians who have treated Shiite millenarian movements in depth. He always avoids the easy temptation to dismiss them as outbursts of irrational fanaticism, instead patiently tracing their roots in social discontent and teasing out the significance of their often recondite writings. Any historian can mine the British archives for imperial reactions to such popular manifestations. But Amanat is among the few with the linguistic and historiographic skills to be able to offer us the inside story, full of drama, texture and immense local significance. Those who wish to understand the Iranian Shiite tradition must come to terms with this essential aspect of it. No better guide than the magisterial Amanat could be found.' - Juan R I Cole, Richard P Mitchell Collegiate Professor of History, University of Michigan.Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements and Citations Note on Transliteration Introduction Part One: Apocalypticism in the Islamic Middle East Apocalyptic Anxieties and Millennial Hopes in the Salvation Religions of the Middle East The Resurgence of the Apocalyptic in Modern Islam Part Two: Millennial Cycles and Commemorating Martyrs The Nuqtavi Movement of Mahmud Pasikhani and His Persian Cycle of Mystical-Materialism Nuqtavi Agnostics and Shaping of the Doctrine of ‘Universal Peace’ (sulh-i kull) in Mughal India Meadow of the Martyrs: Kashifi’s Persianisation of the Shi’i Martyrdom Part Three: The Babi Movement and the Baha’i Faith The Persian Bayan and the Shaping of the Babi Renewal in Iran The Historical Roots of the Babi and the Baha’i Persecution in Iran Part Four: Clerical Encounters with Modernity Mujtahids and Missionaries: Shi’i Responses to Christian Polemics in the Early Qajar Period In Between the Madrassa and the Marketplace: the Designation of Clerical Leadership in Modern Shi’ism From ijtihad to wilayat-i faqih: The Evolving of the Shi’i Legal Authority to Political Power Part Five: Satan and Salvation in the Islamic Revolution Khomeini’s Great Satan: Demonizing the American Other in the Islamic Revolution of Iran Messianic Aspirations in Contemporary Iran

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Book SynopsisInterest in Shi'i Islam is running at unprecedented levels. International tensions over Iran, where the largest number of Shi'i Muslims live, as well as the political resurgence of the Shi'i in Iraq and Lebanon, have created an urgent need to understand the background, beliefs and motivations of this dynamic vision of Islam. Abbas Amanat is one of the leading scholars of Shi'ism. And in this powerful book, a showcase for some of his most influential writing in the field, he addresses the colourful and diverse history of Shi' Islam in both premodern and contemporary times.Focusing specifically on the importance of apocalypticism in the development of modern Shi'i theology, he shows how an immersion in messianic ideas has shaped the conservative character of much Shi'i thinking, and has prevented it from taking a more progressive course. Tracing the continuity of apocalyptic trends from the Middle Ages to the present, Amanat addresses such topics as the early influence on Shi'ism of Zoroastrianism; manifestations of apocalyptic ideology during the Iranian Revolution of 1979; and the rise of the Shi'i clerical establishment during the 19th and 20th centuries. His book will be an essential resource for students and scholars of both religious studies and Middle Eastern history.Trade Review'Abbas Amanat is among the brightest stars in the firmament of historians who have treated Shiite millenarian movements in depth. He always avoids the easy temptation to dismiss them as outbursts of irrational fanaticism, instead patiently tracing their roots in social discontent and teasing out the significance of their often recondite writings. Any historian can mine the British archives for imperial reactions to such popular manifestations. But Amanat is among the few with the linguistic and historiographic skills to be able to offer us the inside story, full of drama, texture and immense local significance. Those who wish to understand the Iranian Shiite tradition must come to terms with this essential aspect of it. No better guide than the magisterial Amanat could be found.' - Juan R I Cole, Richard P Mitchell Collegiate Professor of History, University of Michigan.Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements and Citations Note on Transliteration Introduction Part One: Apocalypticism in the Islamic Middle East Apocalyptic Anxieties and Millennial Hopes in the Salvation Religions of the Middle East The Resurgence of the Apocalyptic in Modern Islam Part Two: Millennial Cycles and Commemorating Martyrs The Nuqtavi Movement of Mahmud Pasikhani and His Persian Cycle of Mystical-Materialism Nuqtavi Agnostics and Shaping of the Doctrine of ‘Universal Peace’ (sulh-i kull) in Mughal India Meadow of the Martyrs: Kashifi’s Persianisation of the Shi’i Martyrdom Part Three: The Babi Movement and the Baha’i Faith The Persian Bayan and the Shaping of the Babi Renewal in Iran The Historical Roots of the Babi and the Baha’i Persecution in Iran Part Four: Clerical Encounters with Modernity Mujtahids and Missionaries: Shi’i Responses to Christian Polemics in the Early Qajar Period In Between the Madrassa and the Marketplace: the Designation of Clerical Leadership in Modern Shi’ism From ijtihad to wilayat-i faqih: The Evolving of the Shi’i Legal Authority to Political Power Part Five: Satan and Salvation in the Islamic Revolution Khomeini’s Great Satan: Demonizing the American Other in the Islamic Revolution of Iran Messianic Aspirations in Contemporary Iran

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Book SynopsisA masterfully researched and compelling history of Iran from the sixteenth century to the twenty-firstTrade Review“The defiant spirit of the country is brought to life in this monumental history of the past 500 years.”—Richard Spencer, The Times (London)“No book could be more pertinent for American readers . . . Mr. Amanat searches for patterns to make [Iran’s] tumultuous history lucid to nonspecialist readers. . . His account, in all its melancholy splendor, comes to embody what the 20th-century Iranian poet Forough Farrokhzad called ‘a sorrowful stroll in the garden of memories.’”—Eric Ormsby, The Wall Street Journal“For those with an interest in this pivotal and mercurial country, Abbas Amanat’s magisterial study is too important to ignore.”—Justin Marozzi, Sunday Times (London)“A majestic work that goes a long way in unraveling for an American audience the country’s enigmas and apparent contradictions.”—Ervand Abrahamian, The New York Review of Books“Amanat is a skillful narrator whose use of sources and anecdotes is illuminating. His book should be read by anyone who is curious about the history of political philosophy and ideas.”—The Economist“A fantastic book about a great country - I warmly commend it”—Dr Stephen Leah, Methodist RecorderWinner of the Outstanding Academic Title for 2018 Award, sponsored by Choice"This sweeping but richly detailed text is an impressive treatment of the longue durée of Iranian history since 1501. Amanat interweaves narrative with stimulating analysis and commentary on culture, society, and politics in Iran with a skill based on deep scholarship and understanding. It is rare to find a book that will be important for both those new to Iranian studies and those already in the field: the former will find the book an invaluable starting point, and the latter will gain much from engaging with Amanat’s creative and challenging insights and arguments."—Joanna de Groot, University of York "The appearance of this comprehensive and flowing narrative history of early modern and modern Iran could not be more timely, given the deep-seated misunderstandings and prejudices that persist regarding that country. Few scholars could be as well placed to write it as Abbas Amanat, who has devoted many decades to studying Iran's history and culture. This is likely to remain a work of reference that can be appreciated by students as well as interested general readers. An impressive achievement!"—Sanjay Subrahmanyam, Distinguished Professor of History, UCLA"Lucid, readable, and erudite, Abbas Amanat's flowing narrative uses comparisons and connections with the surrounding world to reveal the dialogical and often defensive character of Iran's routes to modernity. Amanat highlights the heterogeneous groups and contending interests that shaped what he calls a 'Persianized version of modernity.' Balancing analysis of changes in political economy with the roles of public religion and the persistence of cultural traditions, this is a compelling and comprehensive conspectus of Iranian history with a magisterial command of detail."—Nile Green, University of California, Los Angeles "Iran is perhaps the most important poorly understood country in the world--too big and wealthy to ignore, too complex and dynamic to stereotype. Among this generation of historians of Iran, Abbas Amanat stands as a giant. He conveys his enormous learning in eloquent prose, retailing the country's dramatic struggles and displaying gems of its intricate and profound culture with a contagious excitement. Those who wish to understand how an early modern Silk Road monarchy transformed into a contemporary petroleum-fueled theocracy will find no more informed or captivating guide."—Juan Cole, Richard P. Mitchell Professor of History and Director, Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies, University of Michigan

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Book SynopsisA survey and analysis of what Shari'a, or Islamic law, means for Muslims today.Trade Review"The contributors to this volume present an important antidote, with in-depth analyses of some of the most important trends in legal thought in today's Muslim world."—John O. Voll, Islamic Law & Society"What Shari'a means to contemporary Muslims matters to non-Muslims as well. This volume enlightens everyone. It is at once scholarly and accessible, and informative in a deep and reliable way." —Gene Outka, Yale University"An important and illuminating anthology. This is no dry and pedantic read in the minutiae of arcane legal issues. These essays demonstrate that Shari'a is a living concern to Muslims around the world." —Sohail Hashmi, Mount Holyoke College"This important and timely volume helps bridge the gap between theoretical aspects of the law and its application in the modern world, and breaks new ground by paying close attention to both Shiite and Sunni uses of Islamic law. The authors, all experts in their fields, write with unusual clarity and precision to help us to understand the complex role of Islamic law in the Muslim world today.Itwill be a vital resource." —Jonathan E. Brockopp, Pennsylvania State UniversityTable of ContentsContents Chapter 1 Introduction Frank Griffel Chapter 2 Much Ado About Values: Justice in Modern Islamic Thought Gudrun Kr'mer Chapter 3 The Harmony of Natural Law and Shari'a in Islamist Theology Frank Griffel Chapter 4 Islamic Law and Legal Change: The Concept of Ma_la_a in Classical and Contemporary Legal Theory Felicitas Opwis Chapter 5 _All_l al-F_s_: Shari'a as Blueprint for Righteous Global Citizenship David L. Johnston Chapter 6 Shari'a and Islamic Democracy in the Age of al-Jazeera Noah Feldman Chapter 7 From ijtih_d to wil_yat al-faq_h : The Evolution of the Shi'ite Authority to Political Power Abbas Amanat Chapter 8 Shi'ite Theories of Social Contract Shahrough Akhavi Chapter 9 Shari'a and Constitution in Iran: A Historical Perspective Sa'd Amir Arjomand Chapter 10 The Normativity of the Factual On the Every Day Construction of Shari'a in a Yemeni Family Court Anna W'rth Chapter 11 Afterword Roy Mottahedeh Acknowledgments About the Authors Notes Index

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Book SynopsisA survey and analysis of what Shari'a, or Islamic law, means for Muslims today.Trade Review"The contributors to this volume present an important antidote, with in-depth analyses of some of the most important trends in legal thought in today's Muslim world."—John O. Voll, Islamic Law & Society"What Shari'a means to contemporary Muslims matters to non-Muslims as well. This volume enlightens everyone. It is at once scholarly and accessible, and informative in a deep and reliable way." —Gene Outka, Yale University"An important and illuminating anthology. This is no dry and pedantic read in the minutiae of arcane legal issues. These essays demonstrate that Shari'a is a living concern to Muslims around the world." —Sohail Hashmi, Mount Holyoke College"This important and timely volume helps bridge the gap between theoretical aspects of the law and its application in the modern world, and breaks new ground by paying close attention to both Shiite and Sunni uses of Islamic law. The authors, all experts in their fields, write with unusual clarity and precision to help us to understand the complex role of Islamic law in the Muslim world today.Itwill be a vital resource." —Jonathan E. Brockopp, Pennsylvania State UniversityTable of ContentsContents Chapter 1 Introduction Frank Griffel Chapter 2 Much Ado About Values: Justice in Modern Islamic Thought Gudrun Kr'mer Chapter 3 The Harmony of Natural Law and Shari'a in Islamist Theology Frank Griffel Chapter 4 Islamic Law and Legal Change: The Concept of Ma_la_a in Classical and Contemporary Legal Theory Felicitas Opwis Chapter 5 _All_l al-F_s_: Shari'a as Blueprint for Righteous Global Citizenship David L. Johnston Chapter 6 Shari'a and Islamic Democracy in the Age of al-Jazeera Noah Feldman Chapter 7 From ijtih_d to wil_yat al-faq_h : The Evolution of the Shi'ite Authority to Political Power Abbas Amanat Chapter 8 Shi'ite Theories of Social Contract Shahrough Akhavi Chapter 9 Shari'a and Constitution in Iran: A Historical Perspective Sa'd Amir Arjomand Chapter 10 The Normativity of the Factual On the Every Day Construction of Shari'a in a Yemeni Family Court Anna W'rth Chapter 11 Afterword Roy Mottahedeh Acknowledgments About the Authors Notes Index

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Book SynopsisThis book offers diverse debates on the possible manifestations and meanings of the term "Middle East."Trade Review"Its interdisciplinarity and the mixture of established and emerging scholars are [a] significant strength, ensuring that both specialist and student readers are likely to find something new."—Joanna Long, Social & Cultural Geography"This well-edited work focuses on geographically prescribed definitions of one of the most heavily contested and tumultuous parts of the world . . . [and clarifies] the definition of the region by insiders and outsiders . . . Recommended."—D. J. Timothy, CHOICE"The chapters comprising the volume reconfirm the indeterminacy and historical evolution of the Middle East as a geographical concept."—Joel Beinin, Journal of Islamic Studies"Given how much debate surrounds the expression 'the Middle East,' it is all the more surprising that there has not been a single volume to address the range of questions raised by this vague and unhelpful term until now. Is There a Middle East? does an excellent job filling in this gap. There is nothing comparable."—Eugene Rogan, St Antony's College, Oxford, author of The Arabs"The term 'the Middle East' has evoked anxieties and questions for over a century. This original volume illustrates that it is ultimately more fruitful to consider the effects of this unwieldy and profoundly political category than to debate its definition. A far-reaching book that presents new arguments on the production of the concept and the meanings associated with the Middle East. It is a useful and reflective introduction to the field of 'Middle East Studies."—Arang Keshavarzian, New York University

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Book SynopsisThis book offers diverse debates on the possible manifestations and meanings of the term "Middle East."Trade Review"Its interdisciplinarity and the mixture of established and emerging scholars are [a] significant strength, ensuring that both specialist and student readers are likely to find something new."—Joanna Long, Social & Cultural Geography"This well-edited work focuses on geographically prescribed definitions of one of the most heavily contested and tumultuous parts of the world . . . [and clarifies] the definition of the region by insiders and outsiders . . . Recommended."—D. J. Timothy, CHOICE"The chapters comprising the volume reconfirm the indeterminacy and historical evolution of the Middle East as a geographical concept."—Joel Beinin, Journal of Islamic Studies"Given how much debate surrounds the expression 'the Middle East,' it is all the more surprising that there has not been a single volume to address the range of questions raised by this vague and unhelpful term until now. Is There a Middle East? does an excellent job filling in this gap. There is nothing comparable."—Eugene Rogan, St Antony's College, Oxford, author of The Arabs"The term 'the Middle East' has evoked anxieties and questions for over a century. This original volume illustrates that it is ultimately more fruitful to consider the effects of this unwieldy and profoundly political category than to debate its definition. A far-reaching book that presents new arguments on the production of the concept and the meanings associated with the Middle East. It is a useful and reflective introduction to the field of 'Middle East Studies."—Arang Keshavarzian, New York University

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