Hierarchy and Egalitarianism in Islamic Thought (Cambridge Studies in Islamic Civilization) - Hardcover

Marlow, Louise

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521564301 ISBN 13: 9780521564304

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1997

Synopsis

By analyzing a wide range of Arab and Persian literature, Louise Marlow demonstrates that Islam's initial orientation was markedly egalitarian, but the social aspect of this egalitarianism was soon undermined in the aftermath of Islam's political success. Although the memory of its early promise never entirely receded, social egalitarianism was soon associated with political subversion. The originality and chronological scope of Louise Marlow's book will ensure a wide readership of Islamic historians and of scholars assessing the impact of the recent Islamic revival.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

By bringing together and examining a diverse body of literature from the Arab and Persian worlds of the eighth to the thirteenth centuries, Louise Marlow explores the tension that existed between the traditional egalitarian ideas of early Islam and the hierarchical impulses of the classical period. The literature demonstrates that while Islam's initial orientation was markedly egalitarian in both religious and social terms, the social aspect of this egalitarianism was soon undermined in the aftermath of Islam's political success, and as hierarchical social ideas from older cultures in the Middle East were incorporated into the new polity. Although the memory of its early promise never entirely receded and remnants of the ideal survive in many parts of the tradition, social egalitarianism quickly came to be associated with political subversion and various attempts were made to dilute its influence. On account of its originality and chronological scope, Louise Marlow's book will be of use to a wide and interested readership, not only of Islamic and medieval historians, but also of scholars assessing the impact of the recent Islamic revival.

Review:

"This is a well-researched, balanced and timely book." Manochehr Dorraj, Ph.D., DOMES

"It is a special pleasure to find a scholar who steps boldly beyond the safer realms of more tightly circumscribed studies. Marlow's willingness and ability to do so provide access not only to a fascinating topic but to a constellation of Arabic and Persian sources that are not ordinarily considered in combination." Jane Dammen McAuliffe, Journal of the American Academy of Religion

"...it is clear that Marlow has made a major contribution to our understanding of early Islamic society and social thought. The work is clear and lucid, free from jargon and firmly grounded in the text. Students of Islamic history will read it once with enjoyment but find themselves returning frequently to seek out ideas, insights and fascinating nuggets of bibliography." Hugh Kennedy, Middle East Journal

"...a creative piece of research with profound implications..." Middle East Quarterly

"In this well-organized and documented book, Marlow examines the conjunction in Islamic thought of highly stratified societies and an emphatically egalitarian religious ideology." Religious Studies Review

"Given the breadth and depth of MArlow's book and the arguments explored, Hierarchy and Egalitarianism in Islamic Thought will be of extreme interest not only for Islamic and medieval historians but also for scholars engaged in current research on political Islam and the Islamic revival of the last decade. It is a stimulating and revealing inquiry into a complex and fascinating subject." Journal of Palestine Studies

"The present volume, like some of the preceding ones in this series, is very stimulating reading...the book offers much useful and insightful information and provides rich data about the diverse material considered. It is a welcome addition to Islamic study." Iranian Studies

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0521564301
• ISBN 13: 9780521564304
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 216