Philosophy of Religion in Islam - by Rahim Acar & M Cüneyt Kaya (Hardcover)

About the Book

A major anthology of newly-translated texts from Islamic thinkers on core problems in philosophy of religion.

Book Synopsis

This is the first anthology to represent the contributions and perspectives of medieval Islamic scholars on philosophy of religion. Assembling and translating 63 key texts, including many never before published in English, it captures the variety and influence of Islamic thought on how we think about the existence of God, the problem of evil and the relationship between faith and reason.

Focusing on the classical period of medieval Islamic thought up until the end of the 13th century, this one-of-a kind reader is organized thematically around five parts and covers:

- Conceptions of faith and reason
- The possibility of miracles as the sign of divine support
- Arguments for the God's existence
- Strategies for understanding religious texts
§ The nature of salvation

Each Part has its own specialized introduction, relating medieval Islamic discussions on that problem to the contemporary discussions in philosophy of religion. Each reading is accompanied by an overview that provides context and background to the argument. Broad and rich, there is a wealth of translated writing here. Granting access to such valuable primary sources, this reader offers us deeper insight into the debates, discussions, and arguments of Islam thinkers on universal questions in philosophy.

Review Quotes

Rather than theorize about Islam's relationship to such topics of central importance as God, prophecy, death, ethics, miracles, scripture, and religious diversity, this anthology shows us how many of the Islamic intellectual tradition's foremost pre-modern representatives approached these matters in their own language, and on their own terms. Philosophy of Religion in Islam is therefore an unparalleled resource for the classroom, as well as for those interested in expanding their horizons beyond the hackneyed approach to philosophy of religion characteristic of much contemporary Anglo-American philosophy.

There is no such thing as a philosophy of religion in the Islamic intellectual tradition of the classical period. This volume, however, shows that several topics discussed within this tradition belong to what we know today as the "philosophy of religion." Muslim intellectuals tried to explain religious beliefs, their meaning, and their coherence. Acar and Kaya provide an excellent anthology of philosophical, theological, juridical, and Sufi texts that capture what can be called the "philosophy of religion in Islam

This anthology, Philosophy of Religion in Islam: A Reader of Classical Sources by Rahim Acar and M. Cüneyt Kaya, is a remarkable and indispensable resource for those with an avid interest in the historical development of Islamic philosophy. By meticulously compiling and translating key texts from medieval Islamic scholars-many of which are being made available in English for the first time-this work provides an unparalleled window into the rich intellectual traditions that shaped Islamic thought during the classical period. Beyond its historical significance, this anthology is also highly relevant to contemporary discussions, bridging past and present by offering insights that continue to influence modern debates on faith, reason, and the philosophy of religion. It is an essential read for historians, philosophers, and anyone engaged in the ongoing exploration of Islamic intellectual heritage.

About the Author

Rahim Acar is Professor of Philosophy of Religion at Marmara University, Turkey.

M. Cüneyt Kaya is Professor of Islamic Philosophy at Istanbul University, Turkey.