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Knowledge and Beauty in Classical Islam: An Aesthetic Reading of the Muqaddima by Ibn Khaldūn (Routledge Studies in Islamic Philosophy)
by Giovanna LelliThis volume offers an aesthetic reading of the Muqaddima by Ibn Khaldūn (d. 1406), a text that has been studied up to the present as a work on historiography. It argues that the Muqaddima is also a comprehensive treatise on classical Arab-Islamic culture and provides a picture of classical Arab-Islamic aesthetics in its totality. The theme of the book is the intrinsic connection between beauty and knowledge in the Muqaddima. Whenever Ibn Khaldūn deals with the problem of knowledge and science, he also deals with the problem of sensual beauty as an instrument or an obstacle to attain it. Ibn Khaldūn’s philosophy of history is necessarily also an aesthetics of history. His key-notion of “group feeling”, the physical, ethic and aesthetic virtue of Bedouin societies, is at once the origin of the ascent of centralised States and the cause of their ruin. It represents a tragic contradiction that applies to the history of the Maghreb but then takes a universal value. It reflects a range of other contradictions inherent to the "system" of classical Arab-Islamic aesthetics. These contradictions undermine the aesthetic system of the Muqaddima from within and provide decisive elements for the emergence of modern aesthetics. Offering a comparative approach, the volume is a key resource to scholars and students interested in Arabic and Islamic studies, philosophy, aesthetics and global history.
Knowledge and Christian Belief
by Alvin PlantingaIn his widely praised Warranted Christian Belief (Oxford, 2000) Alvin Plantinga discussed in great depth the question of the rationality, or sensibility, of Christian belief. In this book Plantinga presents the same ideas in a briefer, much more accessible fashion.Recognized worldwide as a leading Christian philosopher, Plantinga probes what exactly is meant by the claim that religious -- and specifically Christian -- belief is irrational and cannot sensibly be held. He argues that the criticisms of such well-known atheists as Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens are completely wrong. Finally, Plantinga addresses several potential “defeaters” to Christian belief -- pluralism, science, evil and suffering -- and shows how they fail to successfully defeat rational Christian belief.
Knowledge and Power in the Philosophies of Ḥamīd al-Dīn Kirmānī and Mullā Ṣadrā Shīrāzī
by Sayeh MeisamiThis book is a comparative study of two major Shīʿī thinkers Ḥamīd al-Dīn Kirmānī from the Fatimid Egypt and Mullā Ṣadrā from the Safavid Iran, demonstrating the mutual empowerment of discourses on knowledge formation and religio-political authority in certain Ismaʿili and Twelver contexts. The book investigates concepts, narratives, and arguments that have contributed to the generation and development of the discourse on the absolute authority of the imam and his representatives. To demonstrate this, key passages from primary texts in Arabic and Persian are translated and closely analyzed to highlight the synthesis of philosophical, Sufi, theological, and scriptural discourses. The book also discusses the discursive influence of Naṣīr al-Dīn Ṭūsī as a key to the transmission of Ismaʿili narratives of knowledge and authority to later Shīʿī philosophy and its continuation to modern and contemporary times particularly in the narrative of the guardianship of the jurist in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Knowledge and Practice in Mayotte: Local Discourses of Islam, Sorcery and Spirit Possession
by Michael LambekOn the East African island of Mayotte, Islam co-exists with two other systems of understanding and interpreting the world around its inhabitants: cosmology and spirit-mediumship. In a witty, evocative style accessible to both the specialist and non-specialist reader, Michael Lambek provides a significant contribution to writing on African systems of thought, on local forms of religious and therapeutic practice, on social accountability, and on the place of explicit forms of knowledge in the analysis of non-western societies.The "objectified" textual knowledge characteristic of Islam and of cosmology is contrasted with the "embodied" knowledge of spirit possession. Lambek emphasizes the power and authority constituted by each discipline, as well as the challenge that each kind of knowledge presents to the others and their resolution in daily practice. "Disciplines" are defined as an organized body of practitioners or adepts, a concept precise and useful when applied to the contexts of Lambek's own research and equally so in the study of comparable environments elsewhere.Essential reading for those interested in the comparative study of Islamic societies, Lambek's argument directly contributes to the main anthropological arguments of the day concerning the social and cultural basis of systems of knowledge and ethnographic strategies for depicting them.
Knowledge and the University: Islam and Development in the Southeast Asia Cooperation Region
by Masudul Alam ChoudhuryThis book looks at a substantively new model of educational philosophy and its application within the field of tertiary education, in relation to socio-economic development in Southeast Asian members of the Organization of Islamic Conferences (OIC). Focusing on and drawing from the cross-regional South East Asian Cooperation (SEACO), a network promoting regional economic cooperation, the author presents a thoughtful evocation of a new orientation to educational philosophy and policy within the development context in the time of, and relating to, COVID-19. The generalized worldview of Islamic educational and socio-economic development model is laid down in relation to the philosophy of education and an ethical-scientific structure of development in terms of the theory of knowledge (epistemology, episteme). The foundation of scientific thought and a comparative Islamic worldview in understanding the unified reality of ‘everything’ is presented. The objectivity of socio-scientific learning at all levels of educational development is further explained within the context of SEACO and its think tank vis-à-vis a reconstructive perspective in which the Islamic episteme of the unity of knowledge and its substantive methodology is addressed and unpacked. The book is relevant to policymakers and scholarly researchers in Islamic philosophy and development and higher education in Southeast Asia and in the Muslim world and more broadly for the world of learning.
Knowledge for the Love of God: Why Your Heart Needs Your Mind
by Timothy PickavanceWhat is the role of the intellect in the life of faith? Jesus commanded us to love God with our minds—but why? Isn&’t simply believing enough? Confused on this point, many Christians choose to focus only on the role of their hearts in shaping their faith and consider that adequate. Some Christians go even further, arguing that knowledge exists in opposition to faith—that one must choose either the truth of science or the truth of the Bible. The reality is that our formation into Christlikeness relies heavily on our minds and that Christian belief is about thinking more, not less. Far from being a threat, the intellect is central to faith—so long as it is treated as an instrument of worship rather than as the object of worship. Knowledge for the Love of God is for followers of Jesus needing to better understand the crucial connection between faith and rationality. Timothy Pickavance shows how learning about who God is and what he has done, is doing, and will do draws us closer to him—just as in any relationship. With stories from his own experiences wrestling with this aspect of faith, Pickavance relates a compelling vision of how cultivating the intellect strengthens our Christian worldview, helps us gain freedom in Christ, and enables us to love God with our whole being. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter make this a book to be fruitfully shared among fellow believers desiring a deeper faith—one of heart, soul, strength, and mind.
Knowledge of Angels
by Jill Paton WalshAmara is abandoned as an infant, raised by wolves then captured by shepherds. She is sent to a convent where she becomes the object of an experiment to determine whether knowledge of God is innate. Palinor, an atheistic humanist prince and castaway seeks refuge on the island but is persecuted by the Catholic Church. Beneditx, a pious scholar, attempts to persuade Palinor that God exists. With the arrival of a special inquisitor from Rome, the clash between secular and conservative ecclesiastical values moves inexorably toward a gruesome climax.
Knowledge, Authority, and Islamic Education in the West: Reconfiguring Tradition (Routledge Studies in Religion)
by Zainab KabbaDrawing on immersive fieldwork in the United States, Canada, and Turkey, this ethnographic exploration illuminates the transformative experiences of emerging adult Muslims on their quest for religious knowledge. This book unravels the significance of four residential learning settings, revealing their role as catalysts for reshaping Islamic tradition. Delving into the interplay between technology’s pervasive influence and the decentralized nature of Islamic interpretation, Zainab Kabba unveils a vibrant tapestry of knowledge producers vying to shape religious understanding and practice among Western Muslims. At the heart of this narrative lies the delicate balance between teachers and students, continuously communicating and recalibrating components that bring religious authority to life. Kabba dissects this relationship, highlighting the emergence of a complex landscape that she terms the ‘Muslim Education Industrial Complex’, where religious knowledge has become a commodity. This study offers profound insights into the challenges of intra-Muslim dialogue and the adaptive resilience of American Sunni-Muslim communities. Amidst a digital age and the complexities of global geopolitics surrounding Islam, it showcases how these communities reinterpret classical Islamic narratives, navigating tradition to steer their path forward. This book invites readers to ponder the evolution of Islamic learning, the dynamics of authority, and the enduring quest for knowledge amidst the currents of a rapidly changing world.
Knowledge, Faith, and Early Christian Initiation
by Alex FoglemanIn this book, Alex Fogleman presents a new history of the rise and development of catechesis in Latin Patristic Christianity by focusing on the critical relationship between teaching and epistemology. Through detailed studies of key figures and catechetical texts, he offers a nuanced account of initiation in the Early Christian era to explore fundamental questions in patristic theology: What did early Christians think that it meant to know God, and how could it be taught? What theological commitments and historical circumstances undergirded the formation of the catechumenate? What difference did the Christian confession of Jesus Christ as God-made-flesh make for practices of Christian teaching? Fogleman's study provides a dynamic narrative that encompasses not only the political and social history of Christianity associated with the Constantinian shift in the fourth century but also the modes of teaching and communication that helped to establish Christian identity. This title is part of the Flip it Open Programme and may also be available Open Access. Check our website Cambridge Core for details.
Known and Loved: Experiencing the Affection of God in Psalm 139
by Glenna MarshallFearfully and wonderfully made—some truths transform us, body and soul.We hear that God is love and that He loves us, but what does that mean? And can this truth sink into our hearts in such a way that we are changed?In Known and Loved, Glenna Marshall reflects on Psalm 139, exploring the transformational truth that we are fully known and loved by the Triune God of the universe. This book, overflowing with truth and encouragement, combats the myths and lies that we are unlovable, alone, or unseen. God sets His love on us in spite of our failings and even when we feel unlovable.The psalmist tips our chins to fix our gaze on God who doesn&’t hold back His affections. Taking readers verse by verse Glenna shows how you are … known to the core, known body and soul, known in the dark and in your suffering, known when you want to run or give up, known in your fears and when you feel alone.We can be certain of God&’s steadfast love. Immerse yourself in Psalm 139—a transformational journey into the heart of God for you.
Known by God: A Biblical Theology of Personal Identity (Biblical Theology for Life)
by Jonathan Lunde Brian S. RosnerWho are you? What defines you? What makes you, you?In the past an individual's identity was more predictable than it is today. Life's big questions were basically settled before you were born: where you'd live, what you'd do, the type of person you'd marry, your basic beliefs, and so on. Today personal identity is a do-it-yourself project. Constructing a stable and satisfying sense of self is hard amidst relationship breakdowns, the pace of modern life, the rise of social media, multiple careers, social mobility, and so on. Ours is a day of identity angst.Known by God is built on the observation that humans are inherently social beings; we know who we are in relation to others and by being known by them. If one of the universal desires of the self is to be known by others, being known by God as his children meets our deepest and lifelong need for recognition and gives us a secure identity. Rosner argues that rather than knowing ourselves, being known by God is the key to personal identity.He explores three biblical angles on the question of personal identity: being made in the image of God, being known by God and being in Christ. The notion of sonship is at the center - God gives us our identity as a parent who knows his child. Being known by him as his child gives our fleeting lives significance, provokes in us needed humility, supplies cheering comfort when things go wrong, and offers clear moral direction for living.X
Known by Name: In the Face of Rejection, God Says I’m Significant (Known by Name)
by Nicole Johnson Karen Lee-Thorp Kasey Van Norman Jada EdwardsThe women in the Bible asked the same three questions we all still ask today: How does everyone else see me? How do I see myself? How does God see me?Hagar’s story, found in Genesis 16, is a story of cultural victimization. She was betrayed, abandoned, and scorned. Her response? She did what most of us would do when deeply hurt by someone we trust–she ran away. She got defensive. She retreated to a place where she felt safe. She felt justified in her anger and hurt. But deep in her core was a woman who longed to be seen and hoped for redemption.This Bible study will take you through Hagar’s story as she learns from hurt and heartache that what is unresolved is not unseen by God. The lack of finality in Hagar’s story teaches us to trust God with the ending–believing he sees us and he knows.This study guide features video notes, group discussion questions, and between-session activities like reflecting on the drama and teachings, studying the character story in Scripture, memory verses, and journaling.Sessions include:Exposing the Lie of ShameRejected to AcceptedTrusting after BetrayalTransformed and SeenDesigned for use with Known By Name: Hagar Video Study (9780310096498), sold separately.
Known by Name: When I Feel Worthless, God Says I’m Enough (Known by Name)
by Nicole Johnson Karen Lee-Thorp Kasey Van Norman Jada EdwardsThe women in the Bible asked the same three questions we all still ask today: How does everyone else see me? How do I see myself? How does God see me?Naomi’s story, found in the book of Ruth, is a story of lost identity. She lost her husband and her sons, which in her culture left her completely without a home or a means to support herself. She was a Hebrew woman in Moabite territory, alone among strangers. She reacted by letting her circumstances define her. But even in her angry, fearful, rather dramatic season of feeling like the victim, God kept showing his faithfulness.This Bible study will take you through Naomi’s journey from comfort and security to despair and bitterness; from hopeless drifting to faithful obedience; and from loss to redemption in one short lifetime. We’ll learn that when we go through trauma, loss, and hardship, it’s normal to feel Just. So. Done. Yet God remains close. He is not done. He can and will redeem even in our darkest circumstances.This study guide features video notes, group discussion questions, and between-session activities like reflecting on the drama and teachings, studying the character story in Scripture, memory verses, and journaling.Sessions include:When Hard Times HitBehind the ScenesBetter than Being FixedFrom Bitter to BlessedDesigned for use with Known By Name: Naomi Video Study (9780310096597), sold separately.
Known for Love: Loving Your LGBTQ Friends and Family without Compromising Biblical Truth
by Casey HoughAnswering the hard and painful questions in a sexually confused world.We live in a world with competing voices about what it means to love and to be loving. It&’s tough—if not impossible—to feel this tension. But what does it mean that Jesus was known for love? We want to be like Him—known for love—but that can quickly become confusing when feelings, family, and dear friends come into the picture. In Known for Love, pastor Casey Hough provides a biblical and theological framework for thinking through the hard situations we encounter with family and friends. Drawing from a well of faithful biblical scholars, Hough provides insights for everyday Christians living in a sexually broken world.What did Jesus say, if anything, about homosexuality?Should we refer to people as &“gay&” Christians?Should Christians attend the wedding of a gay marriage?Should I welcome my same sex attracted child and partner to my home?How do I love my daughter who now believes she&’s my son?Along with answering these important questions, Hough gives us a framework that helps us think through future scenarios that we will likely encounter.Just reading through these questions can stir up a lot of emotions. But Casey brings us biblical news which is always good news. If you want to cultivate a heart for God and others that upholds truth, a heart that is marked by compassion and love, a heart that strengthens you and others in the gospel, you will welcome this essential and timely resource.Known for Love gives us the wisdom and courage we need to live into these days with faithful and truly loving hearts.
Known: Finding Deep Friendships in a Shallow World
by Mark Batterson Dick Foth Ruth FothIn an often shallow and fast-paced world, how can we really know and be known by another person? How do we make true friends? The Digital Age is all about change, but the need for true friendship never changes. You are designed for real engagement with others---for affirmation that goes beyond a simple “like” on social media, for connection over meals, for hope and excitement about the future. Above all, you need to be known and accepted for who you are. But how do you find and maintain this kind of friendship in a fluid and frenetic culture? In Known, Dick and Ruth Foth offer inspiration and proven practices to build relationships through personal storytelling and affirmation. They draw on years of mentoring, rich relationships, and the model of Jesus to show you why friendship is one of the keys to a full life and the greatest gift we can give to each other.
Known: Psalm 139
by Sally Lloyd-JonesInspired by Psalm 139, Known's lyrical text reminds little ones that God sees them, knows them, and loves them more than they could ever imagine. Trust Sally Lloyd-Jones, the author of the bestselling The Jesus Storybook Bible, and Jago, award-winning illustrator, to encourage even the smallest believer and share God&’s love in this uplifting board book.Known shows children God sees them, He knows them, and He loves them – with a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.Known is perfect for babies and infants ages 0 – 4 and features:lyrical text inspired by Psalm 139a reassuring message that reminds kids that God fully knows them and fully loves them, no matter what—a foundational truth to comfort and inspire childrenbeautiful, colorful illustrations that are a great gift for a new baby, First Communion, or birthday Look for additional inspirational children&’s books in the series inspired by The Jesus Storybook Bible:Near: Psalm 139Loved: The Lord&’s PrayerFound: Psalm 23
Kokoro: Japanese Wisdom for a Life Well Lived
by Beth Kemptonkokoro [n.] intelligent heart, feeling mind One year. Two devastating losses. Three sacred Japanese mountains. A major life transition, a heart full of grief and a revelation that changes everything. Join Japanologist Beth Kempton on a pilgrimage through rural Japan in search of answers to some of life's biggest questions: How do we find calm in the chaos and beauty in the darkness? How do we let go of the past and stop worrying about the future? What can an awareness of impermanence teach us about living well?Together you will journey to the deep north of Japan, hike ancient forests, watch the moon rise over mountains of myth and encounter a host of wise teachers along the way - Noh actors, chefs, taxi drivers, coffee shop owners, poets, philosophers and the spirits that inhabit the land. You will contemplate the true nature of time at one of the world's strictest Zen temples and nothing will be quite the same again.This book is an invitation to cultivate stillness and contentment in an ever-changing, uncertain world. It all begins with the kokoro, a profound Japanese term which represents the intelligent heart, the feeling mind and the embodied spirit of every human being.To explore the kokoro is to explore the very essence of what it means to be human in this tough yet devastatingly beautiful world. When you learn to live guided by the light in your kokoro, everything changes, and anything is possible.
Kokoro: Japanese Wisdom for a Life Well Lived
by Beth KemptonThis book invites you to cultivate stillness and contentment in an ever-changing, uncertain world, inspired by ancient and contemporary Japanese wisdom. Drawing on a thousand years of Japanese literature, culture, and philosophical ideas to explore the true nature of time and what it means to be human, Kokoro–which mysteriously translates as "heart-mind"–is a meditation on living well. Join Japanologist Beth Kempton on this life-changing pilgrimage far beyond the tourist trail, to uncover the soul of the country, its people, and its deeply buried wisdom. Distilling insight from a rich variety of sources, from centuries-old poetry and ancient Zen texts to martial arts teaching and contemporary philosophy, alongside the real-life stories of modern day pioneers, Kokoro offers an inspiring take on what it truly means to be happy,so that you can live each day with wonder and ease.
Kollektives Verzeihen: Die konstruktive Kraft eines rätselhaften Gefühls
by Oliver ErrichielloDas kollektive Verzeihen steht in seiner Rätselhaftigkeit der Liebe in nichts nach. Wir Menschen sind unergründliche Wesen. Zwar agieren wir meist bedächtig und rational und doch lassen sich viele Handlungen und Entscheidungen scheinbar nicht logisch herleiten. Das Verzeihen – jeder kennt es und hat es erfahren – gehört dazu. Verzeihen ist eines der wichtigsten und spannendsten Phänomene menschlicher Kommunikation. Das Buch beantwortet Fragen wie: Warum verzeihen wir einigen Menschen und anderen nicht? Warum braucht Verzeihen Zeit? Warum verzeihen Menschen einander seit jeher – oder lehnen eben gerade den Akt des Verzeihens ab? Verzeihen wir einzelnen Menschen im persönlichen Umfeld leichter oder schwerer als einer Gruppe von Menschen? Und vor allem: Warum ist das kollektive Verzeihen zeit- und kulturübergreifend wirksam? Im Zeitalter der hyperkomplexen und total vernetzten Welt, die keine Pausen mehr kennt, ist Verzeihen unerlässlich. Das Buch regt zum Nachdenken an und bietet wertvolle Impulse, um das eigene und das soziale Handeln besser zu verstehen.
Konfigurationen des: Diaspora-Narrative und Transnationalität in jüdischen Literaturen der Gegenwart (Exil-Kulturen #3)
by Sonja DickowDie komparatistische Studie arbeitet anhand von Parallellektüren deutsch-, englisch- und hebräischsprachiger Gegenwartstexte den Befund heraus, dass gerade an der Konfiguration des immobilen Hauses Mehrfachverortung und Grenzüberschreitung verhandelt werden. Das Zuhause verliert durch die Zerstörungen der Shoah und die Exilerfahrungen der jüdischen Figuren seine Funktion als Heimat und Ort der Stabilität und Kontinuität. Erinnerndes Erzählen und Traditionen des diasporischen Schreibens werden dagegen als Orte der Zugehörigkeit diskutiert. Der in der mehrsprachigen jüdischen Literaturgeschichte ohnehin angelegte Transnationalitätsdiskurs wird in Untersuchungen zu Nicole Krauss und Anna Mitgutsch, Jenny Erpenbeck und Eshkol Nevo, Michal Govrin und Barbara Honigmann aufgerufen.
Konfliktuelle Kulturpolitik (Politologische Aufklärung – konstruktivistische Perspektiven)
by Oliver Marchart Anke Schad-Spindler Friederike Landau-Donnelly Stefanie FridrikDieser Sammelband vereint Beiträge aus unterschiedlichen Bereichen der Kulturpolitikforschung. Impulsgebend für den Band war das Forschungsprojekt „Agonistische Kulturpolitik (AGONART) – Fallstudien zur konfliktiven Transformation von Kulturstandorten“. Dieses verstand sich als interdisziplinärer Beitrag zwischen qualitativ-empirischer Grundlagenforschung in Politikwissenschaft (mit Schwerpunkt auf Kulturpolitik) und politischer Theorie (mit Schwerpunkt auf Konflikttheorie bzw. agonistischer Demokratietheorie). Das Buch regt somit zu einer wissenschaftlichen Auseinandersetzung mit Kulturpolitik(forschung) in Österreich, dem deutschsprachigen Raum und darüber hinaus an.
Konsum: Reflexionen über einen multidisziplinären Prozess (essentials)
by Dieter BögenholdDieter Bögenhold nähert sich dem Thema Konsum aus soziologischer Perspektive und bezieht dabei wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Themen wie Marketing und Konsumökonomik sowie andere angrenzende Fachgebiete ein. Der Leser bekommt auf diese Weise einen Überblick über die vielen Facetten dieses Forschungsbereiches. Die Rolle des Konsums in der Ideengeschichte wird ebenso angesprochen wie das Verhältnis zwischen Konsum und Mode oder die ,,McDonaldisierung" des Konsums.
Korah: The JPS B'nai Mitzvah Torah Commentary (JPS Study Bible)
by Rabbi Jeffrey K. SalkinKorah (Numbers 16:1-18:32) and Haftarah (1 Samuel 11:14-12:22): The JPS B’nai Mitzvah Torah Commentary shows teens in their own language how Torah addresses the issues in their world. The conversational tone is inviting and dignified, concise and substantial, direct and informative. Each pamphlet includes a general introduction, two model divrei Torah on the weekly Torah portion, and one model davar Torah on the weekly Haftarah portion. Jewish learning—for young people and adults—will never be the same. The complete set of weekly portions is available in Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin’s book The JPS B’nai Mitzvah Torah Commentary (JPS, 2017).
Koran für Dummies (Für Dummies)
by Sohaib SultanAlles Wissenswerte über die heilige Schrift des Islam Der Koran ist die heilige Schrift von über 1,8 Milliarden Muslimen auf allen Kontinenten. Er ist die Offenbarung Allahs an den Religionsstifter Mohammed, hohe Literatur und zugleich Leitfaden für das tägliche Leben der Gläubigen. Was sagt der Koran über den Glauben, über Frauen, über die Familie, über Andersgläubige, über Verbrechen und ihre Bestrafung? Sohaib Sultan berichtet über die Entstehung der heiligen Schrift und erläutert die Sprache des Koran. Er räumt Missverständnisse über den Koran aus dem Weg und eröffnet damit Möglichkeiten zu einem besseren Verständnis des Islam. Sie erfahren Wie der Koran entstanden und wie er aufgebaut ist Wie vielfältig sich der Koran interpretieren lässt Wie ein Leben nach dem Koran heute aussieht Was der Koran zu gesellschaftlichen Fragen sagt
Koranic Allusions
by Ibn WarraqFor anyone with an interest in the early history of Islam, this erudite anthology will prove to be informative and enlightening. Scholars have long known that the text of the Koran shows evidence of many influences from religious sources outside Islam. For example, stories in the Koran about Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other characters from the Bible obviously come from the Jewish Torah and the Christian Gospels. But there is also evidence of borrowing in the Koran from more obscure literature. In this anthology, the acclaimed critic of Islam Ibn Warraq has assembled scholarly articles that delve into these unusual, little-known sources. The contributors examine the connections between pre-Islamic poetry and the text of the Koran; and they explore similarities between various Muslim doctrines and ideas found in the writings of the Ebionites, a Jewish Christian sect that existed from the second to the fourth centuries. Also considered is the influence of Coptic Christian literature on the writing of the traditional biography of Muhammad.