Violence in Islamic thought from the Qur'ān to the Mongols

By R. Gleave

Book Description

This scholarly exploration examines how Islamic thinkers grappled with questions of violence from the religion's earliest foundations through the medieval period. Rather than presenting a monolithic view, R. Gleave reveals the rich diversity of perspectives that emerged as Muslim scholars, theologians, and writers wrestled with violence as both a spiritual and social reality.

Drawing from the Qur'an and subsequent Islamic traditions, this work illuminates how different communities and thinkers approached the complex moral terrain surrounding justified and unjustified violence. Some forms of violence received condemnation, while others, including concepts of holy warfare, found theological support. The book demonstrates that early Muslim communities held varied and nuanced positions on when violence might be warranted.

Through careful analysis of theological writings, legal texts, poetry, and prose literature, readers gain insight into how Islamic thought processed violence as an unavoidable aspect of human existence. The work traces these evolving perspectives across centuries, showing how different generations of Muslim thinkers interpreted violence's role within their communities.

For contemporary readers seeking to understand current debates about violence and spirituality, this historical foundation proves invaluable. The book offers essential context for comprehending modern Muslim perspectives on when violence might be justified or condemned, providing a thoughtful examination of how religious communities navigate moral complexity across time.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)

📄 Length: 278 pages

What You'll Discover

✓ Explore Philosophie
✓ Explore Holy war
✓ Explore Violence, religious aspects
✓ Explore Religious aspects
✓ Explore Fundamentalism
✓ Explore 11.83 movements within Islam
✓ Explore Politics
✓ Explore Violence

Topics Covered

Philosophie Holy war Violence, religious aspects Religious aspects Fundamentalism 11.83 movements within Islam Politics Violence Islamic fundamentalism Islam Gewalt Jihad Islam and politics History Case studies