An Anthropology of the Quran (Routledge Studies in Religion)

This book presents an anthropological study of the Qur’an, offering an unprecedented challenge to some of the epistemological and metaphysical assumptions of the __tawḥīdic__ discourses. Combining primary textual materials and anthropological analysis, this book examines transcendence as a core principle of the Qur’an, uniquely signified in the divine name __al-Quddūs__ (the Holy). It shows how the __tawḥīdic__ representations of Allah constitute an inversion of this attribute; examines how this inversion has been conceived, authorized, and maintained; and demonstrates how it has affected Islamic thinking and practices, especially as relates to authority. This book also explores how a return to the Qur’anic primacy of God’s otherness as __al-Quddus__ can influence Islamic thinking and practices moving forward. Therefore, it will be highly useful to scholars of Islamic Studies, philosophical theology, Qur’anic studies, political science, ethics, Anthropology and religious studies. "This book presents an anthropological study of the Qur'an, offering an unprecedented challenge to some of the epistemological and metaphysical assumptions of the tawḥīdic discourses. Combining primary textual materials and anthropological analysis, this book examines transcendence as a core principle of the Qur'an, uniquely signified in the divine name al-Quddūs (the Holy). It shows how the tawḥīdic representations of Allah constitute an inversion of this attribute; examines how this inversion has been conceived, authorized, and maintained; and demonstrates how it has affected Islamic thinking and practices, especially as relates to authority. This book also explores how a return to the Qur'anic primacy of God's otherness as al-Quddus can influence Islamic thinking and practices moving forward. Therefore, it will be highly useful to scholars of Islamic Studies, philosophical theology, Qur'anic studies, political science, ethics, Anthropology and religious studies"-- Provided by publisher This book presents an anthropological study of the Qur'an, offering an unprecedented challenge to some of the epistemological and metaphysical assumptions of the tawḥīdic discourses. Combining primary textual materials and anthropological analysis, this book examines transcendence as a core principle of the Qur'an, uniquely signified in the divine name al-Quddūs (the Holy). It shows how the tawḥīdic representations of Allah constitute an inversion of this attribute; examines how this inversion has been conceived, authorized, and maintained; and demonstrates how it has affected Islamic thinking and practices, especially as relates to authority. This book also explores how a return to the Qur'anic primacy of God's otherness as al-Quddūs can influence Islamic thinking and practices moving forward. Therefore, it will be highly useful to scholars of Islamic Studies, philosophical theology, Qur'anic studies, political science, ethics, anthropology, and religious studies. This book presents an anthropological study of the Qur'an, offering an unprecedented challenge to some of the epistemological and metaphysical assumptions of the tawhidic discourses. Combining primary textual materials and anthropological analysis, this book examines transcendence as a core principle of the Qur'an, uniquely signified in the divine name al-Quddus (the Holy). It shows how the tawhidic representations of Allah constitute an inversion of this attribute; examines how this inversion has been conceived, authorized, and maintained; and demonstrates how it has affected Islamic thinking and practices, especially as relates to authority. This book also explores how a return to the Qur'anic primacy of God's otherness as al-Quddus can influence Islamic thinking and practices moving forward. Therefore, it will be highly useful to scholars of Islamic Studies, philosophical theology, Qur'anic studies, political science, ethics, anthropology, and religious studies This book presents an anthropological study of the Quran, offering an unprecedented challenge to some of the epistemological and metaphysical assumptions of the tawdic discourses. Combining primary textual materials and anthropological analysis, this book examines transcendence as a core principle of the Quran, uniquely signified in the divine name al-Qudds (the Holy). It shows how the tawdic representations of Allah constitute an inversion of this attribute; examines how this inversion has been conceived, authorized, and maintained; and demonstrates how it has affected Islamic thinking and practices, especially as relates to authority. This book also explores how a return to the Quranic primacy of Gods otherness as al-Qudd s can influence Islamic thinking and practices moving forward. Therefore, it will be highly useful to scholars of Islamic Studies, philosophical theology, Quranic studies, political science, ethics, anthropology, and religious studies. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Acknowledgements PART I Introduction 1. Religion, the Holy and the sacred: An anthropological perspective 2. Al-Quddūs (the Holy) and transcendental écart in the Qur’ān 3. Ontological distinction of the Holy and the sacred in the Qur’ān 4. Transcendence and divine freedom in the Qur’ān 5. Tawḥīd, God, the Qur’ān, and being 6. Al-Quddūs and divine otherness 7. Tawḥīdic authrorizing discourses and the inversion of al-Quddūs 8. The Qur’ān and the tawḥīdic sublimation of the Sunna 9. The Qur’ān, Muḥammad, and the disclosure of the Holy 10. The Qur’ān, the Sunna, and authority in modern Islam Part II 11. Gender: The tawḥīdic sexual morality 12. ḤILM: The forgotten ethics of Islam 13. The Qur’ān and Islamic art 14. Ribā (usury): Economic excess and excessive morality Index