W. Montgomery Watt

Events are making clear to ever-widening circles of readers the need for something more than a superficial knowledge of non-European cultures. In particular, the blossoming into independence of numerous African states, many of which are largely Muslim or have a Muslim head of state, has made clear the growing political importance of the Islamic world, and, as a result, the desirability of extending and deepening the understanding and appreciation of this great segment of mankind.Islamic philosophy and theology are looked at together in a chronological framework in this volume. From a modern standpoint, this juxtaposition of the two disciplines is important for the understanding of both; but it should be realized at the outset that it is a reversal of the traditional Islamic procedure. Not merely were the disciplines different, but in the earlier centuries the exponents were two different sets of persons, trained in two different educational traditions, each with its own separate institutions. There was little personal contact between philosophers and theologians, and the influence of the two disciplines on one another was largely by way of polemics. Eventually while philosophy died out as a separate discipline in the Islamic world, many parts of it were incorporated in theology.This work is designed to give the educated reader something more than can be found in the usual popular books. The work undertakes to survey a special part of the field, and to show the present stage of scholarship. Where there is a clear picture this will be given; but where there are gaps, obscurities and differences of opinion, these will also be indicated. This work is brilliant in its design, style, and intimate understanding. It is a must read for specialists and policy makers alike.

Ths book is one of the most important to explore the formation of Islamic thought and civilisation. William Montgomery Watt made an outstanding contribution to Islamic scholarship.

Events are making clear to ever-widening circles of readers the need for something more than a superficial knowledge of non-European cultures. In particular, the blossoming into independence of numerous African states, many of which are largely Muslim or have a Muslim head of state, has made clear the growing political importance of the Islamic world, and, as a result, the desirability of extending and deepening the understanding and appreciation of this great segment of mankind.Islamic philosophy and theology are looked at together in a chronological framework in this volume. From a modern standpoint, this juxtaposition of the two disciplines is important for the understanding of both; but it should be realized at the outset that it is a reversal of the traditional Islamic procedure. Not merely were the disciplines different, but in the earlier centuries the exponents were two different sets of persons, trained in two different educational traditions, each with its own separate institutions. There was little personal contact between philosophers and theologians, and the influence of the two disciplines on one another was largely by way of polemics. Eventually while philosophy died out as a separate discipline in the Islamic world, many parts of it were incorporated in theology.This work is designed to give the educated reader something more than can be found in the usual popular books. The work undertakes to survey a special part of the field, and to show the present stage of scholarship. Where there is a clear picture this will be given; but where there are gaps, obscurities and differences of opinion, these will also be indicated. This work is brilliant in its design, style, and intimate understanding. It is a must read for specialists and policy makers alike.

Written by one of the world's foremost religious authorities, A Christian Faith for Today provides both Christians and sceptics with a much-needed response to modernity's challenge to God.Most people accept that our world is regulated by the laws of natural science, but how should Christian believers reconcile this with faith, incarnation and a loving and intelligent Creator?W. Montgomery Watt returns to the Biblical stories and sources at the roots of modern faith and to theological problems such as Jesus' divinity and humanity. He suggests how the miraculous might be understood from a rational perspective and the genuinely transcendental distinguished from allegory and symbolism.Sympathetic to the Gospel, yet acceptable to the modern mind, this is a timely and sensitive exposition of God's manifestation and intervention in the world and of his purposes with us and for us.

Written by one of the world's foremost religious authorities, A Christian Faith for Today provides both Christians and sceptics with a much-needed response to modernity's challenge to God.Most people accept that our world is regulated by the laws of natural science, but how should Christian believers reconcile this with faith, incarnation and a loving and intelligent Creator?W. Montgomery Watt returns to the Biblical stories and sources at the roots of modern faith and to theological problems such as Jesus' divinity and humanity. He suggests how the miraculous might be understood from a rational perspective and the genuinely transcendental distinguished from allegory and symbolism.Sympathetic to the Gospel, yet acceptable to the modern mind, this is a timely and sensitive exposition of God's manifestation and intervention in the world and of his purposes with us and for us.

The purpose of this book is to provide the Western reader with a positive understanding of Islam, of its origins, its history and its beliefs; but it is hoped that there may also be something of value in it for the Muslim reader. It is based on the belief that Muhammad was a prophet chosen by God for a particular task, and also that God was behind the spread of Islam throughout the world. At the same time, this book accepts the main principles of the western intellectual outlook, including its historical criticism; and consequently departs from some of the traditional ideas of Muslims about the history of their religion. Contents include coverage of the beginnings of Islam, the political history of the Islamic world, the teachings of the Qur'an, Islamic theology and the role of Islam in the modern world.

A re-issue of the account of the development of Islamic thought from the death of Muhammad in 532, to 950. A demonstration of how various religious and political movements within Islam has contributed to what has become its standard form and the key interaction of religion and politics.

Ths book is one of the most important to explore the formation of Islamic thought and civilisation. William Montgomery Watt made an outstanding contribution to Islamic scholarship.

Offering ways of addressing the intellectual and practical problems confronting today's religions, this study discusses the way forward for those who believe in the importance of religious faith in a multi-religious world. It also examines issues such as the limitations of human thought and language, and the role of world views which form the context within which different religions are borne. The author's other books include "Companion to the Qur'an" and "The Faith and Practice of Al-Ghazali".

Al-Ghazali was one of the great Muslim theologians. In this book the author provides a translation of some of his works, including his spiritual autobiography. Al-Ghazali's description of his own emergence from scepticism anticipates the philosophical method of systematic doubt employed by Descartes. Another work translated here sets out Al-Ghazali's ideal of how a religious person should order his life from hour to hour and day to day.

The work of a well-known authority on the life of Muhammad and the origins of Islam, this Companion to the Qur'an is an essential tool to help readers gain a fuller understanding of one of the world's most important religious texts. The verse-by-verse Companion gives background information on Muslim beliefs and explains allusions that may puzzle readers unfamiliar with the culture of Islam; it discusses the ideas and expressions that are specific to Muslim thinking, and reviews the main variants in interpretation of Qur'anic texts. With notes based on Islamic sources, Professor Montgomery Watt's authoritative study offers valuable clarification for all scholars of Islam as well as for the general reader.

A short account of the life and achievements of one of the great figures of history, this volume also serves as an excellent introduction to one of the world's major religions.