Skip to content
Register Sign in Wishlist

The Idea of Idolatry and the Emergence of Islam
From Polemic to History

$48.99 (C)

Part of Cambridge Studies in Islamic Civilization

  • Author: G. R. Hawting, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
  • Date Published: November 2006
  • availability: Available
  • format: Paperback
  • isbn: 9780521028462

$ 48.99 (C)
Paperback

Add to cart Add to wishlist

Other available formats:
Hardback, eBook


Looking for an examination copy?

This title is not currently available for examination. However, if you are interested in the title for your course we can consider offering an examination copy. To register your interest please contact collegesales@cambridge.org providing details of the course you are teaching.

Description
Product filter button
Description
Contents
Resources
Courses
About the Authors
  • Why and under what circumstances did the religion of Islam emerge in a remote part of Arabia at the beginning of the seventh century? Traditional scholarship maintains that Islam developed in opposition to the idolatrous and polytheistic religion of the Arabs of Mecca and the surrounding regions. In this study of pre-Islamic Arabian religion, G. R. Hawting adopts a comparative religious perspective to suggest an alternative view. By examining the various bodies of evidence which survive from this period, the Koran and the vast resources of the Islamic tradition, the author argues that in fact Islam arose out of conflict with other monotheists whose beliefs and practices were judged to fall short of true monotheism and were, in consequence, attacked polemically as idolatry. The author is adept at unravelling the complexities of the source material, and students and scholars will find his argument both engaging and persuasive.

    • A book-length study of religion in pre-Islamic Arabia adopting comparative religious perspective
    • Challenge to traditional scholarship which will provoke controversy amongst scholars of Islam
    • Short, accessible approach; treats source material adeptly
    Read more

    Reviews & endorsements

    "Hawting has accomplished his task with deep learning and with sharp, detailed arguments. All students of Arabia and early Islam will do well to read this book." Meas Bulletin

    "The book is original and challenging and should be read by all scholars interested in the Quran, Islamic origins, and how religions imagine their origins." Religious Studies Review

    See more reviews

    Customer reviews

    Not yet reviewed

    Be the first to review

    Review was not posted due to profanity

    ×

    , create a review

    (If you're not , sign out)

    Please enter the right captcha value
    Please enter a star rating.
    Your review must be a minimum of 12 words.

    How do you rate this item?

    ×

    Product details

    • Date Published: November 2006
    • format: Paperback
    • isbn: 9780521028462
    • length: 188 pages
    • dimensions: 228 x 152 x 12 mm
    • weight: 0.298kg
    • availability: Available
  • Table of Contents

    Preface
    Note on transliteration and dates
    List of abbreviations
    Introduction
    1. Religion in the jĂŁhiliyya: theories and evidence
    2. Idols and idolatry in the Koran
    3. Shirk and idolatry in monotheist polemic
    4. The tradition
    5. Names, tribes and places
    6. The daughters of God
    Conclusion
    Bibliography
    Index.

  • Author

    G. R. Hawting, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London

Related Books

Sorry, this resource is locked

Please register or sign in to request access. If you are having problems accessing these resources please email lecturers@cambridge.org

Register Sign in
Please note that this file is password protected. You will be asked to input your password on the next screen.

» Proceed

You are now leaving the Cambridge University Press website. Your eBook purchase and download will be completed by our partner www.ebooks.com. Please see the permission section of the www.ebooks.com catalogue page for details of the print & copy limits on our eBooks.

Continue ×

Continue ×

Continue ×
warning icon

Turn stock notifications on?

You must be signed in to your Cambridge account to turn product stock notifications on or off.

Sign in Create a Cambridge account arrow icon
Ă—

Find content that relates to you

Join us online

This site uses cookies to improve your experience. Read more Close

Are you sure you want to delete your account?

This cannot be undone.

Cancel

Thank you for your feedback which will help us improve our service.

If you requested a response, we will make sure to get back to you shortly.

×
Please fill in the required fields in your feedback submission.
×