Al-Ma'mun - Couverture rigide

Cooperson, Michael

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 1851683860 ISBN 13 : 9781851683864

Editeur : Oneworld Publications, 2005

Synopsis

The Abbasid caliph al-Ma''mun (786-813) is best known for sponsoring the translation of Greek philosophy into Arabic and for promoting the activity of mathematicians, astronomers, engineers, physicians and cartographers. In his own time, however, he was a wildly controversial figure: having come to power by overthrowing the central government in Baghdad and killing his half brother, the caliph al-Amin, he astonished his contemporaries by choosing a member of the rival house of Ali as his heir apparent. A self-proclaimed defender of the faith, he supported theological positions many believers considered heretical, and towards the end of his career launched an inquisition against the scholars of Hadith who refused to accept his guidance on matters of theology. This new biography offers an insight into the life and times of al- Ma''mum, treating him as the product of an age that has come to be seen as a formative period in the development of Islamic law and theology. Drawing on both contemporary and well-established sources, it offers a comprehensive portrait of one of the most fascinating figures in Islamic history, and will appeal to readers of all backgrounds.

A propos du livre

Revue de presse :

'This book is a good read and provides the reader with a balanced and accurate account of the caliph al-Ma'mum' --John Nawas, Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.

Biographie de l'auteur :

Michael Cooperson is Associate Professor of Arabic at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is the author of Classical Arabic Biography: The Heirs of the Prophet in the Age of al-Ma'mun.

À propos de cette édition

• Éditeur: Oneworld Publications
• Date d'édition: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1851683860
• ISBN 13: 9781851683864
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 160