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Description: 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. With a spirit of tolerance uncommon to the era and an exceptional eclecticism of sources, their encyclopedia was popular and yet highly contentious, often characterised as heretical by Islamic theologians and leaders throughout history.
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. Containing an illuminating guide to further reading and full of insight on the interpretation of the great work, this study will appeal to readers of all backgrounds.
Contents: Introduction • Shi"sm • Philosophy • The tenth century • Esotericism • The Name • The problem of date and authorship • Ancient evidence • Later conjectures • Modern confusion • The tangible corpus of epistles • 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 • 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 • Encyclopaedism • The classification of knowledge • Propaedeutic sciences • Philosophical sciences • The subdivision of philosophy • Comparison of the systems • Syncretism • The Greek heritage • Persian and Indian influences • Reconciling profane and sacred wisdom • The interpretation of the Quran • The leveling of sacred authorities • The ultimate book • Idealism • Other confessions • Religious Laws • The true imam • Imagined propaganda • The sessions of Science • Metaphors for Utopia. ISBN - 9781851684045
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Pages : 164
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