The Book
The Ikhwan Al- Safa' or Brethren of Purity were a highly secretive group of tenth-century Shi'ite thinkers, their identities remaining unclear even today. Renowned for creating the legendary Rasa'il Ikhwan al-Safa, an encyclopedia of philosophical sciences, they proposed a coherent intellectual system that sought to reconcile human reasoning with prophetic revelation.
This fascinating survey provides a clear, objective and innovative introduction to the Brethren of Purity and their encyclopedic project, showing its critical place in the history of Arabic science, philosophy and literature.
This fascinating survey provides a clear, objective and innovative introduction to the Brethren of Purity and their encyclopedic project, showing its critical place in the history of Arabic science, philosophy and literature.
Additional Information
| Subject | Religion: Islam |
|---|---|
| Series | Makers of the Muslim World |
| Pages | 160 |
| Imprint | Oneworld Academic |
Table of Contents
AcknowledgementINTRODUCTION
Shi‘ism
Philosophy
The tenth century
1 ESOTERICISM
The name
The problem of date and authorship
Ancient evidence
Later conjectures
Modern confusion
The tangible corpus of epistles
2 EMANATIONISM
The formation of the universe
The creation of time
Coming-to-be and passing-away
The place of man in God's creation
Man's double nature
The sin of the First Adam
Eschatological prospects
3 MILLENARIANISM
Astrological determinism
The theory of prophetic cycles
The origin of prophetic astrology
A propitious conjunction in sight
The Sleepers of the Cave
Concealment and manifestation
The rising of the three qa'ims
4 ENCYCLOPAEDISM
The classification of knowledge
Propaedeutic sciences
Religious sciences
Philosophical sciences
The subdivisions of philosophy
Comparison of the systems
5 SYNCRETISM
The Greek heritage
Persian and Indian influences
Reconciling profane and sacred wisdom
The interpretation of the Qur'an
The leveling of sacred authorities
The ultimate books
6 IDEALISM
Other confessions
Religious law
The true imam
Imagined propaganda
The sessions of science
Metaphors for Utopia
Epilogue
Guide to further reading
Index of passages from the Rasa'il Ikhwan al-Safa'
General index
