41 research outputs found
SaâÄ«d b. កasan, biographical notes through the prism of MasÄlik al-Naáșar
The Islamic polemical tract KitÄb MasÄlik al-Naáșar reveals much about its author, the Jewish apostate SaâÄ«d b. កasan. SaâÄ«d plunges into diverse polemic themes, including some with which he is poorly acquainted, and uses sources from all three Abrahamic faiths, showing greater familiarity with Jewish sources than with the QurâÄn. The discussion explores SaâÄ«dâs treatment of various issues in Muslim-Jewish polemics through the prism of his important polemical tract, MasÄlik al-Naáșar, and takes one of the first steps toward lifting SaâÄ«d out of his undeserved obscurity in scholarship
The supernatural characters and powers of sacred trees in the Holy Land
This article surveys the beliefs concerning the supernatural characteristics and powers of sacred trees in Israel; it is based on a field study as well as a survey of the literature and includes 118 interviews with Muslims and Druze. Both the Muslims and Druze in this study attribute supernatural dimensions to sacred trees which are directly related to ancient, deep-rooted pagan traditions. The Muslims attribute similar divine powers to sacred trees as they do to the graves of their saints; the graves and the trees are both considered to be the abode of the soul of a saint which is the source of their miraculous powers. Any violation of a sacred tree would be strictly punished while leaving the opportunity for atonement and forgiveness. The Druze, who believe in the transmigration of souls, have similar traditions concerning sacred trees but with a different religious background. In polytheistic religions the sacred grove/forest is a centre of the community's official worship; any violation of the trees is regarded as a threat to the well being of the community. Punishments may thus be collective. In the monotheistic world (including Christianity, Islam and Druze) the pagan worship of trees was converted into the worship/adoration of saints/prophets; it is not a part of the official religion but rather a personal act and the punishments are exerted only on the violating individual
Lezioni sullâislam
L'opera tratta della nascita e dello sviluppo della religione islamica, del diritto islamico, della dogmatica, dell'ascetismo e del sufismo e delle varie sette