Dieu et la Destinee de L´Homme (Etudes Musulmanes IX): Les Grands Problemes De La Theologie Musulmane
Librarie Philosophique J. Vrin, 1967. Hardcover. 528pp. 8vo, sewn binding. Recently bound in black buckram w/ gilt spine lettering. Exceedingly clean and sharp. In French. 'Following Islamic models the present work is divided into five 'treatises'. The first, entitled 'The acts of the Most High', deals with human activity or, as Europeans term it, the freedom of the will, with the question of what constitutes an act good or bad, and with God's predetermination or predestination of human acts. The second treatise raises a number of questions concerning prophethood and revelation. The third treatise on 'Resurrection and the future life' comprises, as one would expect, discussions of death, the period in the tomb, judgement, hell, heaven, and the vision of God. More mysterious is the fourth treatise on 'names and statutes' (as a, ahkam), for this touches on what Europeans would call problems of faith and works. Finally, again in accordance with the practice of Muslim theologians, there is a treatise on 'the imamate and 'the commanding of good'', which deals with topics which would be regarded by Europeans as belonging to polities and not theology. With such a wide scope it is not surprising that the present volume runs to some 500 pages. Under each heading M. Gardet gives the various doctrines of the main schools of thought, with some indication of the chief points at issue as the discussions continued through the centuries. This volume is thus the fullest compendium that has yet appeared of Islamic beliels within the given range of topics, and is likely to be a standard work of reference for many years to come. At the same time it is eminently rcadable. The reputation of M. Gardet as a scholar assures the painstaking accuracy of this volume and the significance of his conclusions, while the volume in turn will certainly enhance his reputation, and indeed dominate this whole field of study.' (M. Montgomery Watt, review in The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society). NEAR FINE. Item #508756
ISBN: B004H9N36I
Price: $75.00