Keys to Arcana: Shahrastani's Esoteric Commentary on the Qur'an (The Institute of Ismaili Studies, Qur'anic Studies Series) - Hardcover
Only preserved in a single manuscript in Tehran, this remarkable twelfth-century Qur'anic commentary by Muhammad b. 'Abd al-Karim al- Shahrastani marks the achievement of a lifelong, arduous quest for knowledge. Shahrastani began writing Mafatih al-asrar or Keys to the Arcana towards the end of his life and the work reflects the brilliant radicalism of his more private religious views. The introduction and opening chapter of this virtually unknown work is presented here in a bilingual edition, which also includes an introduction and contextual notes by Toby Mayer.
In Keys to the Arcana, Shahrastani breaks down the text of the Qur'an and analyses it from a linguistic point of view, with reference to the history of Qur'anic interpretation. The author's ultimate aim is to use an elaborate set of complimentary concepts - the 'keys' of the work's title - to unearth the esoteric meanings of the Qur'anic verses, which he calls the 'arcana' of the verses (asrar al-ayat). A historian of religious and philosophical doctrines, Shahrastani has generally been considered to be a spokesman for the Sunni religious establishment under the Seljuqs. The complimentary concepts in question, however, appear to derive from the Isma'ili Shi'i intellectual tradition, indicating that the author may have been secretly involved in the Isma'ili movement.
Shahrastani 's unusually esoteric and highly systematic exegesis of the Qur'an provides a vivid picture of the mature state of scriptural commentary in the twelfth-century CE. Dr Mayer's meticulous translation of Shahrastani 's Introduction and Commentary on Surat al-Fatiha, supplemented by the Arabic text, allows the reader and scholar access to this intriguing Muslim intellectual work for the first time.
In Keys to the Arcana, Shahrastani breaks down the text of the Qur'an and analyses it from a linguistic point of view, with reference to the history of Qur'anic interpretation. The author's ultimate aim is to use an elaborate set of complimentary concepts - the 'keys' of the work's title - to unearth the esoteric meanings of the Qur'anic verses, which he calls the 'arcana' of the verses (asrar al-ayat). A historian of religious and philosophical doctrines, Shahrastani has generally been considered to be a spokesman for the Sunni religious establishment under the Seljuqs. The complimentary concepts in question, however, appear to derive from the Isma'ili Shi'i intellectual tradition, indicating that the author may have been secretly involved in the Isma'ili movement.
Shahrastani 's unusually esoteric and highly systematic exegesis of the Qur'an provides a vivid picture of the mature state of scriptural commentary in the twelfth-century CE. Dr Mayer's meticulous translation of Shahrastani 's Introduction and Commentary on Surat al-Fatiha, supplemented by the Arabic text, allows the reader and scholar access to this intriguing Muslim intellectual work for the first time.
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About the Author:
"This is a superb work of translation done with precision and care. It provides thoroughly annotated and sound approach to the Qur'anic exegesis by the well-known twelfth-century historian of religions, Shahrastani. As the commentary was written near the end of his life, it is particularly significant in unveiling Shahrast?n?'s real and deeper thoughts . . . This book is a must for all libraries and all readers interested in spirituality." --Diana Steigerwald, Religious Studies Department, California State University (Long Beach)
Dr. Toby Mayer is a Research Associate of Qur'anic Studies at the Insitute of Ismaili Studies.
Review:
"This is a superb work of translation done with precision and care. It provides thoroughly annotated and sound approach to the Qur'anic exegesis by the well-known twelfth-century historian of religions, Shahrastani. As the commentary was written near the end of his life, it is particularly significant in unveiling Shahrast?n?'s real and deeper thoughts . . . This book is a must for all libraries and all readers interested in spirituality." --Diana Steigerwald, Religious Studies Department, California State University (Long Beach)
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherOxford University Press
- Publication date2009
- ISBN 10 0199533652
- ISBN 13 9780199533657
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages296
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Keys to the Arcana : Shahrastani's Esoteric Commentary on the Qur'an
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Book Description Buch. Condition: Neu. nach der Bestellung gedruckt Neuware - Printed after ordering - A scholarly edition of the twelfth century Qur'anic commentary by Müammad b. 'Abd al-Karim al- Shahrast¿n¿. Dr Toby Mayer presents the Arabic text with English translation, introduction and contextual notes. Shahrast¿n¿ uses a form of linguistic analysis to unearth the esoteric meanings of the Qur'anic verses. Seller Inventory # 9780199533657
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Keys to the Arcana
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Oxford University Press
(2009)
ISBN 10: 0199533652
ISBN 13: 9780199533657
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Book Description Condition: New. First Edition. First Edition thus. Keys to the Arcana by Toby Mayer. ISBN:9780199533657. Collectible item in excellent condition. Seller Inventory # 0199533657
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