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Books by Shabbir Akhtar

Research paper thumbnail of Reading the Rival's Scripture in Open Societies: Christians Encountering the Qur'an

Pluralism in Islamic Contexts - Ethics, Politics and Modern Challenges , 2021

Given the civic needs of open Western societies which respect pluralism, democracy and human righ... more Given the civic needs of open Western societies which respect pluralism, democracy and human rights, how should Christians read the Qur’an?

Research paper thumbnail of A Path Straightened Out: Perspectives on Human Nature in the Quran

Yaqeen Institute of Islamic Research, 2020

This essay provides a panoramic view of the Qur’anic perspective on the resources of human nature... more This essay provides a panoramic view of the Qur’anic perspective on the resources of human nature. Exploring this strategic theme assists the intelligent inquirer to locate the root of the tensions between several related but rival—and, in some cases, totally opposed—views of the true image of our humanity. How do we orient our societies towards receiving the mercy and grace of God? How do we best strive in His path?

Research paper thumbnail of Be Careful with Muhammad! Salman Rushdie and the Battle for Free Speech (2nd Edition with a New Preface)

Be Careful with Muhammad! Salman Rushdie and the Battle for Free Speech (2nd Edition with a New Preface), 2020

The execution of the entire editorial staff of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in January 20... more The execution of the entire editorial staff of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in January 2015, and the continuing attacks on their Paris headquarters, show that the battle for free speech still rages on with full fury. The trial of a dozen French Muslims, accused of complicity in the Charlie Hebdo killings, has started (October 2020). The struggle for absolute liberty of publication was initiated by Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses (1988). Shabbir Akhtar’s Be Careful with Muhammad!, written originally as a critique of Rushdie’s provocation, remains relevant to current debates about the right to offend religious sensibilities.

Research paper thumbnail of Introduction (Islam as Political Religion)

Islam as Political Religion: The Future of an Imperial Faith, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Introduction (The Qur'an and the Secular Mind)

The Qur'an and the Secular Mind: A philosophy of Islam, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of Be Careful with Muhammad! The Salman Rushdie Affair

Be Careful with Muhammad! The Salman Rushdie Affair, 1989

Papers by Shabbir Akhtar

Research paper thumbnail of Islam agama semua zaman ; islam dan modernitas barat/ Akhtar

Research paper thumbnail of Faust and the new idolaters: Reflections on shirk

Islam and Christian–Muslim Relations, 1990

We are accustomed to hearing that modern secularized humanity rejects the sovereignty of God in f... more We are accustomed to hearing that modern secularized humanity rejects the sovereignty of God in favour of inferior, purely human powers and realities. Yet this new idolatory (shirk) is typically unintentional. It is not identical in character to the intentional idolatry of a Faust who ...

Research paper thumbnail of Cultivating Faithful Enthusiasm: How the Quran Creates Transformative Willpower

Yaqeen, 2022

How did the Qur’an motivate people to prioritize the eternal next life over the immediate pleasur... more How did the Qur’an motivate people to prioritize the eternal next life over the immediate pleasures of this ephemeral world? What are the resources the Qur’an offers us to cultivate the correct kind of motivation, if not zeal, in matters of faithful striving? These are the questions that this essay sets out to answer.

Research paper thumbnail of Religion in the Age of Rage the Uses and Abuses of Faiths

The Muslim World Book Review, 2020

Are faiths today intellectually defensible and economically useful - or merely backward relics, a... more Are faiths today intellectually defensible and economically useful - or merely backward relics, ancient international organizations that impede progress, and moreover, provide a major source of global violence? These authors try to answer this question and I assess their efforts. Books reviewed: CONFRONTING RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE: A COUNTER-NARRATIVE, edited by Richard Burridge and Jonathan Sacks. London: SCM Press, 2018. RELIGION AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY, by Lee Marsden. Cambridge: Polity, 2019. HOW VIOLENCE SHAPES RELIGION, by Ziya Meral. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018. THE WEALTH OF RELIGIONS, by Rachel McCleary and Robert Barro. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2019. THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION: A CRITICAL INTRODUCTION, by Beverley Clack and Brian Clack. Cambridge: Polity, 2019.

Research paper thumbnail of The Dialogue of Islam and the World Faiths: The Role of Speculative Philosophy

Philosophy Bridging the World Religions, 2003

Research paper thumbnail of The possibility of a philosophy of Islam

History of Islamic Philosophy, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of Reading the Rival’s Scripture in Open Societies: Christians Encountering the Qur’an

Given the civic needs of open Western societies which respect pluralism, democracy and human righ... more Given the civic needs of open Western societies which respect pluralism, democracy and human rights, how should Christians read the Qur’an?

Research paper thumbnail of The New Testament in Muslim Eyes

The New Testament in Muslim Eyes, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of Islam as political religion: the future of an imperial faith

Choice Reviews Online, 2011

Page 1. Islam as Political Religion The future of an imperial faith Shabbir Akhtar Page 2. Islam ... more Page 1. Islam as Political Religion The future of an imperial faith Shabbir Akhtar Page 2. Islam ... secularization. Engaging with critics of modern Islam, Shabbir Akhtar sets out an agenda of what his religion is, and could be, as a political entity. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Is There an Epistemic Parity Between Faith and Rejection?

The Southern Journal of Philosophy, 1988

Research paper thumbnail of Religious messages and cultural myths

Sophia, 1986

Thomas Paine's iconoclastic The Age of Reason.' is a vigorous defence of deism. Paine&#... more Thomas Paine's iconoclastic The Age of Reason.' is a vigorous defence of deism. Paine's God is the deus otiosus who reveals his will solely through nature--the open Book of God--and men's own minds and consciences. Prophets, miracles, and revelations--the stuff that ...

Research paper thumbnail of An Islamic model of revelation

Islam and Christian–Muslim Relations, 1991

Many Arabists have believed that the traditional Islamic dogmas about the nature and status of di... more Many Arabists have believed that the traditional Islamic dogmas about the nature and status of divine inspiration and revelation are mistaken, unaccountably rigid and intellectually crude. I examine Kenneth Cragg's critique of the ancient Muslim confidence about the Qur'an as the literal Word of God undiluted by human linguistic and mental variables external to its divine origin. I argue that Cragg's worries are idle and that his proposed model is based on a confusion between the genesis of scripture and the interpretation of its claims. His views about qur'anic exegesis are shown to be erroneous and guided by considerations other than those professed. The paper concludes with an assessment of the strengths of the traditional dogmatic position.

Research paper thumbnail of A History of Atheism in Britain

International Studies in Philosophy, 1991

Research paper thumbnail of Pastoral interventions

The New Testament in Muslim Eyes

Research paper thumbnail of Reading the Rival's Scripture in Open Societies: Christians Encountering the Qur'an

Pluralism in Islamic Contexts - Ethics, Politics and Modern Challenges , 2021

Given the civic needs of open Western societies which respect pluralism, democracy and human righ... more Given the civic needs of open Western societies which respect pluralism, democracy and human rights, how should Christians read the Qur’an?

Research paper thumbnail of A Path Straightened Out: Perspectives on Human Nature in the Quran

Yaqeen Institute of Islamic Research, 2020

This essay provides a panoramic view of the Qur’anic perspective on the resources of human nature... more This essay provides a panoramic view of the Qur’anic perspective on the resources of human nature. Exploring this strategic theme assists the intelligent inquirer to locate the root of the tensions between several related but rival—and, in some cases, totally opposed—views of the true image of our humanity. How do we orient our societies towards receiving the mercy and grace of God? How do we best strive in His path?

Research paper thumbnail of Be Careful with Muhammad! Salman Rushdie and the Battle for Free Speech (2nd Edition with a New Preface)

Be Careful with Muhammad! Salman Rushdie and the Battle for Free Speech (2nd Edition with a New Preface), 2020

The execution of the entire editorial staff of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in January 20... more The execution of the entire editorial staff of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in January 2015, and the continuing attacks on their Paris headquarters, show that the battle for free speech still rages on with full fury. The trial of a dozen French Muslims, accused of complicity in the Charlie Hebdo killings, has started (October 2020). The struggle for absolute liberty of publication was initiated by Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses (1988). Shabbir Akhtar’s Be Careful with Muhammad!, written originally as a critique of Rushdie’s provocation, remains relevant to current debates about the right to offend religious sensibilities.

Research paper thumbnail of Introduction (Islam as Political Religion)

Islam as Political Religion: The Future of an Imperial Faith, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Introduction (The Qur'an and the Secular Mind)

The Qur'an and the Secular Mind: A philosophy of Islam, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of Be Careful with Muhammad! The Salman Rushdie Affair

Be Careful with Muhammad! The Salman Rushdie Affair, 1989

Research paper thumbnail of Islam agama semua zaman ; islam dan modernitas barat/ Akhtar

Research paper thumbnail of Faust and the new idolaters: Reflections on shirk

Islam and Christian–Muslim Relations, 1990

We are accustomed to hearing that modern secularized humanity rejects the sovereignty of God in f... more We are accustomed to hearing that modern secularized humanity rejects the sovereignty of God in favour of inferior, purely human powers and realities. Yet this new idolatory (shirk) is typically unintentional. It is not identical in character to the intentional idolatry of a Faust who ...

Research paper thumbnail of Cultivating Faithful Enthusiasm: How the Quran Creates Transformative Willpower

Yaqeen, 2022

How did the Qur’an motivate people to prioritize the eternal next life over the immediate pleasur... more How did the Qur’an motivate people to prioritize the eternal next life over the immediate pleasures of this ephemeral world? What are the resources the Qur’an offers us to cultivate the correct kind of motivation, if not zeal, in matters of faithful striving? These are the questions that this essay sets out to answer.

Research paper thumbnail of Religion in the Age of Rage the Uses and Abuses of Faiths

The Muslim World Book Review, 2020

Are faiths today intellectually defensible and economically useful - or merely backward relics, a... more Are faiths today intellectually defensible and economically useful - or merely backward relics, ancient international organizations that impede progress, and moreover, provide a major source of global violence? These authors try to answer this question and I assess their efforts. Books reviewed: CONFRONTING RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE: A COUNTER-NARRATIVE, edited by Richard Burridge and Jonathan Sacks. London: SCM Press, 2018. RELIGION AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY, by Lee Marsden. Cambridge: Polity, 2019. HOW VIOLENCE SHAPES RELIGION, by Ziya Meral. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018. THE WEALTH OF RELIGIONS, by Rachel McCleary and Robert Barro. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2019. THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION: A CRITICAL INTRODUCTION, by Beverley Clack and Brian Clack. Cambridge: Polity, 2019.

Research paper thumbnail of The Dialogue of Islam and the World Faiths: The Role of Speculative Philosophy

Philosophy Bridging the World Religions, 2003

Research paper thumbnail of The possibility of a philosophy of Islam

History of Islamic Philosophy, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of Reading the Rival’s Scripture in Open Societies: Christians Encountering the Qur’an

Given the civic needs of open Western societies which respect pluralism, democracy and human righ... more Given the civic needs of open Western societies which respect pluralism, democracy and human rights, how should Christians read the Qur’an?

Research paper thumbnail of The New Testament in Muslim Eyes

The New Testament in Muslim Eyes, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of Islam as political religion: the future of an imperial faith

Choice Reviews Online, 2011

Page 1. Islam as Political Religion The future of an imperial faith Shabbir Akhtar Page 2. Islam ... more Page 1. Islam as Political Religion The future of an imperial faith Shabbir Akhtar Page 2. Islam ... secularization. Engaging with critics of modern Islam, Shabbir Akhtar sets out an agenda of what his religion is, and could be, as a political entity. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Is There an Epistemic Parity Between Faith and Rejection?

The Southern Journal of Philosophy, 1988

Research paper thumbnail of Religious messages and cultural myths

Sophia, 1986

Thomas Paine's iconoclastic The Age of Reason.' is a vigorous defence of deism. Paine&#... more Thomas Paine's iconoclastic The Age of Reason.' is a vigorous defence of deism. Paine's God is the deus otiosus who reveals his will solely through nature--the open Book of God--and men's own minds and consciences. Prophets, miracles, and revelations--the stuff that ...

Research paper thumbnail of An Islamic model of revelation

Islam and Christian–Muslim Relations, 1991

Many Arabists have believed that the traditional Islamic dogmas about the nature and status of di... more Many Arabists have believed that the traditional Islamic dogmas about the nature and status of divine inspiration and revelation are mistaken, unaccountably rigid and intellectually crude. I examine Kenneth Cragg's critique of the ancient Muslim confidence about the Qur'an as the literal Word of God undiluted by human linguistic and mental variables external to its divine origin. I argue that Cragg's worries are idle and that his proposed model is based on a confusion between the genesis of scripture and the interpretation of its claims. His views about qur'anic exegesis are shown to be erroneous and guided by considerations other than those professed. The paper concludes with an assessment of the strengths of the traditional dogmatic position.

Research paper thumbnail of A History of Atheism in Britain

International Studies in Philosophy, 1991

Research paper thumbnail of Pastoral interventions

The New Testament in Muslim Eyes

Research paper thumbnail of Three methods for a Muslim reading of the Bible

Research paper thumbnail of The promise of Abraham’s Gospel (3.6–4.7)

Research paper thumbnail of Preface to the commentary

The New Testament in Muslim Eyes

Research paper thumbnail of The Muslim parents handbook : what every Muslim parent should know

Research paper thumbnail of Crisis of law, promise of grace

The New Testament in Muslim Eyes

Research paper thumbnail of Covenant of the Spirit (4.21–5.1 and 5.13–26)

The New Testament in Muslim Eyes

Research paper thumbnail of Is Islam an ethnic ethical or juridical religion? Reflections on revelation reason and power. Review essay by Shabbir Akhtar

Muslim World Book Review , 2023

Book review by Shabbir Akhtar. Reforming Modernity, by Wael Hallaq; The Idea of European Islam, b... more Book review by Shabbir Akhtar. Reforming Modernity, by Wael Hallaq; The Idea of European Islam, by Mohammed Hashas; Thinking Through Revelation, by Robert Dobie; Arab Political Thought, by Georges Corm; The Law of War and Peace in Islam, by Muhammad Munir.

Research paper thumbnail of Religion in the Age of Rage: The Uses and Abuses of Faiths

The Muslim World Book Review, 2020

Are faiths today intellectually defensible and economically useful - or merely backward relics, a... more Are faiths today intellectually defensible and economically useful - or merely backward relics, ancient international organizations that impede progress, and moreover, provide a major source of global violence? These authors try to answer this question and I assess their efforts. Books reviewed:

CONFRONTING RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE: A COUNTER-NARRATIVE, edited by Richard Burridge and Jonathan Sacks. London: SCM Press, 2018.

RELIGION AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY, by Lee Marsden. Cambridge: Polity, 2019.

HOW VIOLENCE SHAPES RELIGION, by Ziya Meral. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018.

THE WEALTH OF RELIGIONS, by Rachel McCleary and Robert Barro. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2019.

THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION: A CRITICAL INTRODUCTION, by Beverley Clack and Brian Clack. Cambridge: Polity, 2019.

Research paper thumbnail of The Twin 'Terrors': Political Islam and the Shari'ah

The Muslim World Book Review, 39:1, 2018

What is political Islam? Is the qualifying adjective necessary? This pair of questions supplies t... more What is political Islam? Is the qualifying adjective necessary? This pair of questions supplies the red thread that binds these five books which together probe the Muslim bid for political power through ‘terrorism’ and vigilante violence. What motivates committed Muslims to confront the violence of vastly superior western powers? Can these radicals ever succeed? Books reviewed:

WHAT IS POLITICAL ISLAM? By Jocelyne Cesare. Boulder, CO.: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2018.

THE CAMBRIDGE COMPANION TO RELIGION AND TERRORISM. Edited by James Lewis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2017.

THE CALIPHATE AT WAR: THE IDEOLOGICAL, ORGANISATIONAL AND MILITARY INNOVATIONS OF ISLAMIC STATE. By Ahmed Hashim. London: Hurst and Co, 2018.

AL-QAEDA 2.0: A CRITICAL READER. Edited by Donald Holbrook. London: Hurst and Co, 2017.

TRIBES AND GLOBAL JIHADISM. Edited by Virginie Collombier & Olivier Roy. London: Hurst and Co, 2017.

Research paper thumbnail of Review of Theism by Clement Dore

The Journal of Religion, 1986

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, a... more JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.