Andrew Rippin (1950–2016)

This volume is reviewed for an academic source, Choice, and my actual analysis may be found there. Interested parties may find my review on their web site. However, there are notes and observations made below which do not appear in the Choice review.

The Mu'tazila adopted similar positions to the Greek philosophical system. They argued that reason "could be used as a source of reliable knowledge for human beings" (p. 70) as developed by al-Kindi (d. c. 870), al-Farabi (d. 950), and Ibn Sina show more (d. 1037). I disagree with Rippin's assessment; he seems to imply that the Mu`tazila relied in some way on the Greeks but they did not. Their reasoning was totally based on Islamic reasons and conclusions (Cf. Defenders of Reason In Islam: Mu'tazilism and Rational Theology from Medieval School to Modern Symbol by Richard C. Martin, Oneworld (1997): http://www.librarything.com/work/book/80770744).

In contemporary thought, Rippin is unusually sympathetic in the case of Tariq Ramadan (pp. 326-327). He simply views Ramadan as struggling to emphasize the true import of Islam--justice--and allowing Islam time and the indulgence to develop an aversion to the barbarisms of the Koran. What if the world can not wait? It would seem more fruitful for leading Islamist thinkers to point out the limitations of the Koran and Islam and work from within to reform Islam (Cf. The Flight of the Intellectuals: The Controversy Over Islamism and the Press by Paul Berman, Melville House (2010: http://www.librarything.com/work/4897258/60815999). show less

kind of arbitrary collection of topics and sources, w no historical background or context, and no review of the primary or secondary literature

Wonderful collection of voices on the Qur'an. Definitely one to keep in my library.

Reviewed in The Middle East Journal, Vol. 61, No. 2, pp. 373, Spring 2007.