The People Who Shaped Islamic Civilisation
By Opinion
Published 5 years ago on
February 1, 2019
Share
[aggregation-styles]
The Economist 1843
The Economist 1843
The People Who Shaped Islamic Civilisation
Coverage of violence and Islam often go hand in hand. So it comes as a relief to be reminded that historically, culturally and intellectually, Islam is less a nihilistic creed than a global civilisation. A new book by Chase Robinson, which includes 30 pen-portraits of significant figures in Islamic history, is an elegant digest of the many colourful, creative and technologically innovative manifestations that the Prophet Muhammad inspired from his seventh-century oases in the Arabian peninsula.
The warriors and potentates are there, of course. Starting with Muhammad and ending with Shah Ismail 900 years later, they bookend the narrative. But in Robinson’s telling their martial arts are secondary to their aesthetic ones. Muhammad is celebrated not for his battlefield victories but his verse.
The warriors and potentates are there, of course. Starting with Muhammad and ending with Shah Ismail 900 years later, they bookend the narrative. But in Robinson’s telling their martial arts are secondary to their aesthetic ones. Muhammad is celebrated not for his battlefield victories but his verse.
By Nicolas Pelham | 05 Dec 2018
RELATED TOPICS:
At Time of Rising Antisemitism, Holocaust Survivors Take on Denial and Hate in New Digital Campaign
Inspire /
5 hours ago
Gov. Newsom Appoints Judges for Fresno, Merced Counties
Local /
16 hours ago
Israel Briefs US on Evacuation Plan for Palestinians Ahead of Planned Rafah Assault
World /
17 hours ago
Canadian Police Make 3 Arrests in Sikh Separatist’s Slaying That Sparked a Spat with India
World /
18 hours ago
Three Arrested for Trespassing, Posting Flyers at Fresno Synagogue and Church
Crime /
18 hours ago
Latest
Videos
Politics /
4 hours ago
Yellen Says Threats to Democracy Risk US Economic Growth, an Indirect Jab at Trump
World /
4 hours ago
New Sea Route for Gaza Aid on Track. Treating Starving Children Is a Priority
Inspire /
5 hours ago
At Time of Rising Antisemitism, Holocaust Survivors Take on Denial and Hate in New Digital Campaign
Local /
16 hours ago
Gov. Newsom Appoints Judges for Fresno, Merced Counties
World /
17 hours ago