Early Muslim Polemic against Christianity
The Muslim thinker, Abu 'Isa al-Warraq, lived in ninth-century Baghdad. He is remembered for his extensive knowledge of non-Muslim religious communities and his unorthodox views on Islam itself. This 2002 book represents an edition and translation of Abu 'Isa's Against the Incarnation, the second and last part of his Refutation of the Three Christian Denominations. It is edited and translated by David Thomas and contains the Arabic text alongside the English translation, together with explanatory notes. Dr Thomas' full introduction outlines the pluralist and multifaith society of medieval Baghdad, and places Abu 'Isa in the context of both Muslim theological argument and Christian-Muslim discussions. In this way it demonstrates the author's originality and his influence on later Muslim authors. The book will serve as a companion to the editor's earlier volume, Anti-Christian Polemic in Early Islam: Abu 'Isa al-Warraq's 'Against the Trinity' which was published in 1992.
- History of Christian-Muslim relations in early Middle Ages from the perspective of Muslim theologian
- Original Arabic text plus English translation
- Companion to the earlier work by the same editor
Reviews & endorsements
'… a fine companion piece to his 1992 work, Antichristian Polemic in Early Islam …'. Islalmica
'… one applauds the evident scholarship that has given the work a new lease of life on its own.' Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations
'… there is much to be gained from Thomas' careful work. It provides the reader with both a greater appreciation of the essence of Islamic kalam and the Islamic theological critique of Christianity.' Journal of the American Oriental Society
Product details
August 2002Hardback
9780521811323
328 pages
229 × 152 × 22 mm
0.65kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1. Christians and Muslims
- 2. Abu 'Isa al-Warraq and the study of religions
- 3. The doctrine of the Incarnation in the time of Abu 'Isa
- 4. Abu 'Isa's refutation of the Incarnation
- Al-Radd 'Ala Al-`Ittihad: Al-Juz' Al-Thani Min Kitab Al-Radd 'Ala Al-`Thalath Firaq Min Al-Nasara: The Refutation of the Uniting: The second part of the refutation of the three Christian sects
- Concluding arguments against the three denominations.