Martyrdom in Islam (Themes in Islamic History, Series Number 4)

In recent times Islamic martyrdom has become associated with suicide missions conducted by extremists. However, as David Cook demonstrates, this type of martyrdom is very different from the classical definition which condemned suicide and stipulated that anyone who died a believer could be considered a martyr. Ideas about martyrdom have evolved to suit prevailing circumstances, and it is the evolution of these interpretations that Cook charts in this fascinating history. The book covers the earliest sources on martyrdom including those from the Jewish and Christian traditions, discussions about what constituted martyrdom, and differences in attitudes between Sunnis and Shi'ites. A concluding section discusses martyrdom in today's radical environment. There is no other book which considers the topic so systematically, and which draws so widely on the literary sources. This will be essential reading for students of Islamic history, and for those looking for an informed account of this controversial topic. Cover 1 Frontmatter 3 Contents 9 Acknowledgments 11 Glossary 12 Chronology 15 Martyrs in religions 17 Martyrdom in the genesis of Islam 28 Legal definitions, boundaries and rewards of the martyr 47 Sectarian Islam: Sunni, Shiʿite and Sufi martyrdom 61 Martyrs: warriors and missionaries in medieval Islam 90 Martyrs of love and epic heroes 114 Patterns of prognostication, narrative and expiation 132 Martyrdom in contemporary radical Islam 151 Martyrdom in Islam: past and present 181 Appendix: The classical story of the Ashab al-ukhdud and translated contemporary martyrdom narratives 188 Bibliography 200 Index 218 "In recent times Islamic martyrdom has become associated with suicide missions conducted by extremists. However, as David Cook demonstrates, this type of martyrdom is very different from the classical definition, which condemned suicide and stipulated that anyone who died as a believer could be considered a martyr. Ideas about martyrdom have evolved to suit prevailing circumstances, and it is the evolution of these different interpretations that Cook charts in this history of the role of suffering and people's willingness to die as a testimony to their faith."--Jacket.

A fascinating history of the role of martyrdom in the Muslim faith.