Muslim theologists

**The Dude** · March 08, 2011, 03:48 PM

I'm looking for some recommended reading in muslim theology. I've acquainted myself with pretty much all the major christian thinkers from Augustine to Nicolaus of Cusa and while certain theologists seemed to have drawn some inspiration from the likes of Ibn Rushd and Ibn Sina, I can't help but think that there have to be more of people like them in muslim circles.

Unfortunately I'm not familiar enough with Islam to think of any, so I need a bit of help. I'm pretty interested in figuring out how muslim theology stands to christian theology and if perhaps it gives me a better understanding of Islam itself (studying christian theologists certainly helped me understand christianity).

I would sit down and read the Quran if I could, but to be honest I just find it incredibly difficult to sit down and read a holy book (the same goes for the Bible), for a variety of reasons that I could write down but would just pointlessly detract from my quest for third party, ie theologist, material.

So any help would be appreciated. Rep is involved, for those who care

**basics** · March 08, 2011, 03:56 PM

The Dude,

Perhaps a little look at Jewish theology wouldn't go amiss because after all it was to them that the oracles of God were given long before Islam came into being. Even try watching Chuck Missler who has a series available on Utube beginning at Genesis built around the ancient Hebrew meanings something I don't think Muslims begin to scratch. I watched some of it for the fiirst time and learned a great deal.

**PointOfViewGun** · March 08, 2011, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by The Dude

I'm looking for some recommended reading in muslim theology. I've acquainted myself with pretty much all the major christian thinkers from Augustine to Nicolaus of Cusa and while certain theologists seemed to have drawn some inspiration from the likes of Ibn Rushd and Ibn Sina, I can't help but think that there have to be more of people like them in muslim circles.

Unfortunately I'm not familiar enough with Islam to think of any, so I need a bit of help. I'm pretty interested in figuring out how muslim theology stands to christian theology and if perhaps it gives me a better understanding of Islam itself (studying christian theologists certainly helped me understand christianity).

I would sit down and read the Quran if I could, but to be honest I just find it incredibly difficult to sit down and read a holy book (the same goes for the Bible), for a variety of reasons that I could write down but would just pointlessly detract from my quest for third party, ie theologist, material.

So any help would be appreciated. Rep is involved, for those who care

I think you'd find the works of Mevlana (Rumi) interesting.

**Helm** · March 08, 2011, 04:21 PM

Hazrat Inayat Khan, he was somewhat more modern era sort of Islamic mystic chap, though you could also call what he taught pseudo science. He was a Suffi which is the mystical branch of Islam which seeks to experience God directly, and it's probably the best one even if it kind veers slightly toward the fringeheritical end of things. They had ties with the Jewish Kabbalists, the Knights Templar and the Cathars in the Middle Ages

**PointOfViewGun** · March 08, 2011, 04:27 PM

It might also help to look at some of the scientists from the Golden Islamic Age. A lot of them were also theologists such as Al-Jahiz who produced a theory of evolution.

**Dr. Oza** · March 09, 2011, 02:20 AM

What TDLS said, Al-Kwarzimi wrote "Al-Jebr" better known as "Algebra" but he also wrote many commentaries on Islam and its nature...

If you are looking for more contemporary people, though i disagree with him for the most part, Fethullah Gulen is pretty influential in what people call "moderate" islam circles.

**Sadreddine** · March 09, 2011, 04:47 AM

It seems from what you ask that you might be most interested in two of the most reputed and influential theologians of muslim thought, Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari, founder of the Ash'arite school, and Al Ghazali (with his famous work Ihya al Ulum ad-Din, or Revival of Religious Sciences). As a curious note, Ibn Rushd dedicated one of his works to dispute Al Ghazali's book 'Incoherence of the Philosophers', by the colourful name of 'Incoherence of the Incoherence of the Philosophers'.

Posters above have mentioned philosophers, scientists and sufis, but I guess you were refering instead to the 'core muslim orthodox theologians' that explain Islam by the means of the religious primary sources as well as (greek thought influenced) reason and analogy, to somewhat counter the 'unorthodox' philosophical thought. The two I mentioned are indeed very notorious in this field.

Also, the one who is sometimes refered as the 'first muslim theologian', the fourth rashidun caliph 'Ali Ibn Abi Talib. There is an internet version of one of the most famous works attributed to him (Nahj ul Balagha, which means 'Peak of Eloquence'), and of course particularly favoured by the Shi'as (and sometimes disputed by Sunnis):

http://www.nahjulbalagha.org/

P.D.: I'm editing to note that, although not focused around theology (in fact it is more of a sociological study), Ibn Khaldun's Muqaddimah - 'An Introduction to History' is a very enjoyable book to read if you are interested in Muslim thought. It touches muslim theology and philosophy, although it isn't focused on it. This is one of the most fascinating books I have ever read.