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The idea of idolatry and the emergence of Islam : from polemic to history / G.R. Hawting.

By: Hawting, G. R. (Gerald R.), 1944-Material type: TextTextSeries: Cambridge studies in Islamic civilizationPublication details: Cambridge, UK ; New York, NY, USA : Cambridge University Press, 1999. Description: xvii, 168 p. ; 24 cmISBN: 0521651654 (hb)Subject(s): Islam -- Origin | Idolatory | Civilization, Arab | IdolatryDDC classification: 297/.09/021 LOC classification: BP55 | .H39 1999
Contents:
1. Religion in the jahiliyya: 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.
Review: "In this book G.R. Hawting supports the view that the emergence of Islam owed more to debates and disputes among monotheists than to arguments with idolaters and polytheists. Adopting a comparative religious perspective, the author considers why modern scholarship generally has been willing to accept the traditional image of the Koranic 'associators', he discusses the way in which the idea to idolatry has been used in Islam, Judaism and Christianity, and he questions the historical value of the traditional accounts of pre-Islamic Arab religion. The implications of these arguments for the way we think about the origins and nature of Islam should make this work engaging and stimulating for both students and scholars."--Jacket.
Holdings
Item type Current library Call number Status Date due Barcode
Books Books The BIAA David H. French Library
Shelf 43 - Main Room 		J9 HAWTI 26771 Not for loan BOOKS-000000025751

Includes bibliographical references (p. 152-162) and index.

1. Religion in the jahiliyya: 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.

"In this book G.R. Hawting supports the view that the emergence of Islam owed more to debates and disputes among monotheists than to arguments with idolaters and polytheists. Adopting a comparative religious perspective, the author considers why modern scholarship generally has been willing to accept the traditional image of the Koranic 'associators', he discusses the way in which the idea to idolatry has been used in Islam, Judaism and Christianity, and he questions the historical value of the traditional accounts of pre-Islamic Arab religion. The implications of these arguments for the way we think about the origins and nature of Islam should make this work engaging and stimulating for both students and scholars."--Jacket.