Research Guides: Non western Political Thought: Islamic

Library books

The History of Islamic Political Thought by Antony Black
Call Number: ebook
ISBN: 9780748639878
Publication Date: 2011-07-19
A complete history of Islamic political thought from early Islam (c.622-661) to the present Now in its 2nd edition, this textbook describes and interprets all schools of Islamic political thought, their origins, inter-connections and meaning. It examines the Qur'an, the early Caliphate, classical Islamic philosophy and the political culture of the Ottoman and other empires. It covers major thinkers such as Averroes (Ibn Rushd) and Ibn Taymiyya as well as a number of lesser authors, and Ibn Khaldun is presented as one of the most original political theorists ever. It draws on a wide range of sources including writings on religion, law, philosophy and statecraft expressed in treatises, handbooks and political rhetoric. The new edition analyses the connections between religion and politics, covering the most recent developments in Islamic political thought and the most recent historical scholarship. It ends with a critical survey of reformism (or modernism) and Islamism (or fundamentalism) from the late-19th century up to the present day.
The West and Islam: Religion and Political Thought in World History by Antony Black
Call Number: JA81.B53 2008
ISBN: 9780199533206
Publication Date: 2008-03-15
This comparative history of political thought examines what the Western and Islamic approaches to politics had in common and where they diverged. The book considers how various ancient and medieval thought-patterns did or did not lead to modern developments; and how sacred monarchy, the legitimacy of the state, and the role of the people were looked upon in each culture. The author focuses on the period from the rise of Islam to the European Reformation, but extends to the main genres of political thought up to the present. The author argues that until the mid-eleventh century, Europe, Islam, and the Byzantine world had more in common than is commonly thought. What made the West different were the papal revolution of the late eleventh century, Europe's twelfth-century 'renaissance', and the gradual secularization of political thought which followed. At the same time, Islam, after an early blossoming, interpreted its own revelation more and more narrowly.

Abu al-hasan al-Mawardi

Abu al-Hasan al-Mawardi was a Shafii jurist. His most famous work was the Ordinances of Government. where he wrote an explanation of public law in relation to political theory. His writings introduced the question of the type of leadership that was appropriate for the Muslim community, and eventually decided that it is possible to have more than one executive organ of political power.

Politics and revelation : Māwardī and after by Mikhail, Hanna.
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The ordinances of government : a translation of Al-Aḥkām al-Sulṭāniyya wʾ al-Wilāyāt al-Dīniyya by Al Mawardī
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Al-Farabi

Abu Nasr Muhammad al-Farabi was a renowned philosopher who was a strong supporter of democracy. In his most famous book, The Views of the People of the Virtuous City, al-Farabi writes about a city based on justice that aims for the happiness of its citizens. He believes that free societies can be virtuous because good people in these societies have the choice to pursue virtue.

Al-Farabi, Founder of Islamic Neoplatonism by Majid Fakhry
This is the only available comprehensive introduction to the life and achievements of the ninth-century Islamic pjilosopher, Al-Farabi.

Saladin

Saladin (1137-1193) was a Muslim military and political leader. He led the Islamic forces during the Crusades, and even after he was defeated in the Third Crusade, was able to negotiate a truce with Richard the First that allowed Muslims control of Jerusalem. Saladin wanted to end Latin political and military control in the Middle East.

Warriors of God by James Reston
Call Number: D163 .R47 2001
Saladin by Anne-Marie Eddé
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