Religion as Critique: Islamic Critical Thinking from Mecca to the Marketplace (Islamic Civilization and Muslim Networks)

Irfan Ahmad makes the far-reaching argument that potent systems and modes for self-critique as well as critique of others are inherent in Islam—indeed, critique is integral to its fundamental tenets and practices. Challenging common views of Islam as hostile to critical thinking, Ahmad delineates thriving traditions of critique in Islamic culture, focusing in large part on South Asian traditions. Ahmad interrogates Greek and German as well as French Enlightenment notions of reason and critique, and he notes how they are invoked in relation to “others,” including Muslims. To move away from the Enlightenment’s equation with reason and critique, the book turns to the axial age, an “age of criticism.” Like the Prophets Moses and Jesus, Muhammad was a critic-reformer. Drafting an alternative genealogy of critique in Islam, Ahmad reads religious teachings and texts, drawing on sources in Hindi, Urdu, Farsi, and English, and demonstrates how they serve as expressions of critique. Throughout, he depicts Islam as an agent, not an object, of critique. On a broader level, Ahmad expands the idea of critique itself. Drawing on his fieldwork among marketplace hawkers in Delhi and Aligarh, he construes critique anthropologically as a sociocultural activity in the everyday lives of ordinary Muslims, beyond the world of intellectuals. __Religion as Critique__ allows space for new theoretical considerations of modernity and change, taking on such salient issues as nationhood, women’s equality, the state, culture, democracy, and secularism. Irfan Ahmad Makes The Far-reaching Argument That Potent Systems And Modes For Self-critique As Well As Critique Of Others Are Inherent In Islam--indeed, Critique Is Integral To Its Fundamental Tenets And Practices. Challenging Common Views Of Islam As Hostile To Critical Thinking, Ahmad Delineates Thriving Traditions Of Critique In Islamic Culture, Focusing In Large Part On South Asian Traditions. Ahmad Contemplates And Interrogates Greek And Enlightenment Notions Of Reason And Critique, And He Notes How They Are Invoked In Relation To Others, Including Muslims. Drafting An Alternative Genealogy Of Critique In Islam, Ahmad Reads Religious Teachings And Texts, Drawing On Sources In Hindi, Urdu, Farsi, And English, And Demonstrates How They Serve As Expressions Of Critique. Throughout, He Depicts Islam As An Agent, Not An Object, Of Critique.-- Notes On Transliteration – Prologue -- Part I Formulation -- 1 Introduction -- The Ubiquitous Absence, Or The Received Wisdom -- The Absent Ubiquity, Or The Argument --amartya Sen And The Argumentative Indian -- Design Of Intervention -- 2 Critique: Western And/or Islamic -- The Enlightenment As Ethnicity -- Anthropology And Critique -- Reconfiguring The Axial Age: Critique Before The Enlightenment -- Islam As Critique -- 3 The Modes: Another Genealogy Of Critique -- Critique---tanqid/naqd---in Urdu -- Elements Of An Alternative Genealogy -- Religion And Literature: Believing Ghalib -- Divine Critique -- Part Ii Illustration -- 4 The Message: A Critical Enterprise -- Maududi Dereified -- Frame And Method: The Permanence Of Ijtihad And 'aql -- The Postulates -- The Aims -- 5 The State: (in)dispensable, Desirable, Revisable? -- Rupture And Continuity -- Forceful Arguments -- Recovering Universalism -- Exceptions Of The State -- 6 The Difference: Women And (in)equality -- Maududi's Janus-like Neopatriarchate -- Neopatriarchate In Its Place: Multiple Critiques -- Context Of Transformation -- Terms For Use -- 7 The Mundane: Critique As Social-cultural Practice -- Critique In Movement -- Homo Khidmatiqus -- Critique In Everyday Life: The Power Of Proverbs -- The Greed Of The Mullah, The Creed Of The Ungodly Irfan Ahmad. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Abridged from the acclaimed Oxford Dictionary of World Religions , this is the most comprehensive and up-to-date dictionary of religion available in paperback. Written by an expert team of 80 international and multi-faith contributors, the volume contains over 8,200 entries, an extensive topic index, and an original and in-depth introductory essay. There is also a detailed system of cross-references so that readers can explore related topics in the book. Readers will find information on: Religions: Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Shinto, Sikhism, Taoism, and much more Movements, Sects, and Cults: Over 500 entries on everything from Cargo Cults and the New Age movement to Rastafarians and Soka Gakkai Sacred Texts: Over 1,000 entries covering the sacred writings of religions worldwide Individuals: Including founders, leaders, gurus, philosophers, mystics, and heretics Sacred Sites: Cities, buildings, centers of pilgrimage Customs: Religious practices, dogmas, beliefs, traditions, festivals and fasts, and artifacts such as altars, rosaries, icons, and torah ornaments Ethics: Entries cover world-wide religious teachings on abortion, animals, birth control, war, sexuality and homosexuality, and Drawing on sources in Hindi, Urdu, Farsi and English, 'Religion in Critique' makes the far-reaching argument that potent systems and modes for self-critique as well as critique of others are inherent in Islam - indeed, critique is integral to its fundamental tenets and practices. Challenging common views of Islam as hostile to critical thinking, Ahmad delineates thriving traditions of critique in Islamic culture, focusing in large part on South Asian traditions "Abridged from the acclaimed Oxford Dictionary of World Religions, this is the most comprehensive and up-to-date dictionary of religion available in paperback. Written by an expert team of contributors, the volume contains over 8,200 entries, an extensive topic index grouping entries under themes, and an original and in-depth introductory essay."--Jacket This Comprehensive Volume Contains Over 8,200 Entries, With Information On Religions From Christianity To Taoism; Movements, Sects, And Cults; Sacred Texts; Sacred Sites; Customs; Ethics; And Individuals Including Founders, Gurus, Mystics, And Heretics. Reprint. This work is a comprehensive and up-to-date dictionary of religion. Written by an expert team of contributors, it contains over 8200 entries and an extensive topic index as well as an original and in-depth introductory essay