Hardship and Deliverance in the Islamic Tradition: Mu'tazilism, Theology and Spirituality in the Writings of Al-Tanûkî (Library of Middle East History, Volume 25)

Al-Tanûkî was a judge who was born in Basra and lived in Baghdad during the tenth century CE. During his life he wrote three books which compiled poetry, stories, anecdotes and hadith. In this introduction to al-Tanûkî’s works and thought, Nouha Khalifa identifies the central theme of hardship and deliverance within wider narratives about love, generosity and the journey. Al-Tanûkî was principally concerned with how humankind can alleviate hardship and suffering in life and achieve deliverance. His unshakable conviction in the necessity of deliverance was rooted in his Mu‘tazilite doctrine, an early school of Sunni Islamic theology which sought to ground Islamic tenets in reason, and which drew upon different aspects of early Islamic philosophy, Greek philosophy and Hellenistic philosophy. This is a fascinating commentary on medieval Middle Eastern culture, history, philosophy and religious thought. "Al-Tanukhi was a judge who was born and raised in Basra. He lived in different parts of Iraq including Baghdad during the tenth century CE. During his life he wrote three main books which compiled various forms of oral and written literature, including poetry, stories, anecdotes and hadith. In this introduction to the works and thought of al-Tanukhi, Nouha Khalifa explores the central theme within his narratives of hardship and deliverance." "It is clear from his works that al-Tanukhi was principally concerned with how mankind can alleviate hardship and suffering in life and achieve deliverance. Khalifa explores al-Tanukhi's recurring themes of love, generosity and the journey, and how through his narratives al-Tanukhi unveils his central message: that 'So truly with hardship comes ease, truly with hardship comes ease.'" "Al-Tanukhi's unshakable conviction in the necessity of deliverance is rooted in his Mu'tazilite doctrine, an early school of Islamic theology which sought to ground Islamic tenets in reason, and which drew upon Hellenistic philosophy. Khalifa therefore studies al-Tanukhi's works in the light of Mu'tazilism by highlighting the relationship between literature, theology and spirituality. The study also shows how religious themes play a role in al-Tanukhi's vibrant stories which combine elements of both reality and fiction." "Khalifa examines the historical, cultural and literary contexts in tenth-century Iraq, and delves deeper into aspects of Mu'tazilism in al-Tanukhi's compilations. Al-Tanukhi's preoccupation with the journey, love and generosity are inextricably Linked with his Mu'tazilite thought. The journey is a physical journey on earth which symbolises mankind's spiritual journey towards God and the quest to achieve deliverance; God is the source of love upon earth, and profane love is a manifestation of divine love of God; mankind's generosity is the manifestation of God's inherent generosity, and generosity is the expression of mankind's love for God." "This fascinating study makes available the works and ideas of al-Tanukhi for the first time, and provides a fresh insight into medieval Middle Eastern culture, history and religious thought."--Jacket Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 Historical, cultural and literary contexts in fourth/tenth century Iraq......Page 13 Al-Tanukhi's life and works......Page 18 Al-Tanukhi's books......Page 23 Mu 'tazilism in Al-Tanukhi's compilations......Page 27 The journey in the Islamic tradition......Page 40 The journey in Al-Tanukhi's compilations: spiritual stories......Page 45 Analysis of selected stories......Page 48 Socio-political stories......Page 61 Analysis of selected stories......Page 67 Conclusion upon the theme of The Journey......Page 98 Love between God and man in the Islamic tradition......Page 102 Love between men and women in the Islamic tradition......Page 105 Love in Al-Tanukhi's compilations......Page 112 The lexicon of love......Page 114 Characteristic themes......Page 118 The types of love......Page 127 Analysis of selected stories......Page 142 Conclusions upon the theme of love......Page 163 Generosity in Islamic tradition: the generosity of God......Page 166 Human generosity......Page 171 Generosity in Al-Tanukhi's compilations......Page 181 The lexicon of generosity......Page 184 Characteristic themes......Page 189 The types of generosity......Page 204 Man learns from what is beneath him......Page 219 Analysis of selected stories......Page 220 Conclusions upon the theme of generosity......Page 237 Epilogue......Page 240 Notes......Page 244 Bibliography......Page 274 Index......Page 282 Al-Tanuki was a judge who was born in Basra and lived in Baghdad during the tenth century CE. During his life, he wrote three books which compiled poetry, stories, anecdotes and hadith. In this introduction to al-Tanuki's works and thought, Nouha Khalifa identifies the central theme of hardship and deliverance within wider narratives about love, generosity and the journey. Al-Tanuki was principally concerned with how humankind can alleviate hardship and suffering in life and achieve deliverance. His unshakable conviction in the necessity of deliverance was rooted in his Mu'tazilite doctrine, an early school of Sunni Islamic theology which sought to ground Islamic tenets in reason, and which drew upon different aspects of early Islamic philosophy, Greek philosophy and Hellenistic philosophy. This is a fascinating commentary on medieval Middle Eastern culture, history, philosophy and religious thought. Al-Tanūkhī was a judge who was born in Basra and lived in Baghdad during the tenth century CE. During his life he wrote three books which compiled poetry, stories, anecdotes and hadith. This introduction to his work identifies the central theme of hardship and deliverance within wider narratives about love, generosity and the journey. Al-Tanūkhī was principally concerned with how humankind can alleviate hardship and suffering in life and achieve deliverance. His unshakable conviction in the necessity of deliverance was rooted in his Mu'tazilite doctrine, an early school of Sunni Islamic theology which sought to ground Islamic tenets in reason, and which drew upon different aspects of early Islamic philosophy, Greek philosophy and Hellenistic philosophy. This is a commentary on medieval Middle Eastern culture, history, philosophy and religious thought Nouha Khalifa. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [263]-269) And Index.