Lexington Books
Pages: 124
•
Trim: 6¼ x 9½
978-0-7391-9425-6 • Hardback • November 2017 • $104.00 • (£80.00)
978-0-7391-9426-3 • eBook • November 2017 • $98.50 • (£76.00)
Hussam S. Timani is associate professor of philosophy and religion and codirector of the Middle East and North Africa Studies Program at Christopher Newport University.
Introduction
1. Takfīr: Meaning and Origin
2. Takfīr in Early Islamic Theology
3. Takfīr in Later Islamic Theology
4. Takfīr in Medieval Islamic Thought
Conclusion
This study provides a clear and useful overview of early and medieval Islamic positions on takfīr (declaring someone an infidel). Against this background, the recent ideological deployment of takfīr by some extremists may be criticized and ultimately rejected as an illegitimate misuse of Islamic tradition.
— Marcia K. Hermansen, Loyola University Chicago
Hussam Timani’s Takfīr in Islamic Thought is a systematic and in-depth study of a practice that has, unfortunately, become increasingly prevalent in contemporary Islam: namely, branding a fellow Muslim as a non-Muslim. Drawing extensively on the Qur’ān, ḥadīths (the reported sayings of Prophet Muhammad), and classical Arabic texts, Timani demonstrates that there has always been a vigorous debate among Muslim scholars about the understanding of iman (belief) and kufr (disbelief) and, by extension, the definition and legitimate usage oftakfīr. I was particularly impressed by Timani’s attention to questions of nuance and complexity. He not only contrasts a variety of theological schools—the Kharijites, Murji’ites, Karramites, Mu‘tazilites, Ash‘arites, and Maturidites—but even analyzes differing perspectives within these schools. This book will become essential reading for anyone interested in religious pluralism in Muslim contexts, especially in terms of intra-faith dialogue.
— Shadaab Rahemtulla, University of Wales Trinity Saint David