Choice Reviews Online · 1997 · 39 citations · 0 references
HumanitiesHistoryReligious StudiesIslamic StudiesMiddle Eastern HistoryMiddle Eastern StudiesIslamic CaliphatesIslamic HistoryMiddle Eastern Intellectual HistoryMiddle Eastern Social HistoryMiddle Eastern SocietiesSufismIslamic AuthorityIslamic Intellectual HistoryIslamic Social HistoryKnowledge In Islamic SocietiesSacred Power BeliefsSocial Construction Of MeaningSocial History Of IslamSocial Knowledge Construction
Preface. Acknowledgements. Glossary. Part I: Introduction: 1. The Middle East: Assumptions and Problems. Part II: Preconditions for Egalitarian Individualism: 2. Ways of Living. 3. Traditions of Authority and Freedom. 4. The Social Construction of Egalitarianism. Part III: State and Society: Prophets, Caliphs, Sultans and Tyrants: 5. The Prophetic Age. 6. Early Struggles for Authority. 7. Sacred and Secular Rulers. 8. Novelties and Continuities. Part IV: Sacred Power: Reciters, Lawyers, Incarnations and Saints: 9. The Essentials of Islam. 10. Recapturing the Sacred Past: The Power of Knowledge. 11. The Partisans of Ali. 12. Sufism in Practice. 13. The Contradictions of Saintly Authority. Part V: Dilemmas of Subordination: 14. Slaves, Eunuchs and Blacks. 15. The Ambiguities of Women. 16. Escapes from Distinction: Love and Friendship. Part VI: Conclusion: 17. Problems and Possibilities. Chronology of Events. Notes. References. Index.