Sufi Evolutionism
The Modernist Reform Theology of Ma?mud Mu?ammad ?aha
Will be published approx. on 18. December 2025
Book
Hardback
360 pages
978-90-04-74823-1 (ISBN)
Description
The Sudanese Muslim reformer Ma?mud Mu?ammad ?aha (d. 1985) is known for his bold proposals for Islamic legal reform. The mystical theology underlying this reform, however, has been largely overlooked. This book analyzes ?aha's Sufi-inspired modernist reform theology in its premodern and modern intellectual contexts. It argues that his unique reliance on premodern Sufi thought allows him to go beyond his contemporaries in bringing Islam into the modern age, in particular with his Islamic theory of evolution and his views on democratic governance and the rights of women and non-Muslims. ?aha's theology can be viewed as a Sufi reply to both western secular thought and to the Salafi interpretations of Islam that have gained worldwide ascendancy in the past decades.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Leiden
Netherlands
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 155 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
717 gr
ISBN-13
978-90-04-74823-1 (9789004748231)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Michel Hoebink Ph.D. (2024), University of Amsterdam, is an independent researcher and journalist living in the Netherlands. His interests include Sufism, modern Islam, and modern Sudanese history. He studied Arabic and worked at Utrecht University, as well as for the Arabic department of Radio Netherlands Worldwide.
Content
Contents
Preface
Introduction
1 Taha and His Republican Movement
1909-32 Childhood and Education
1932-45 Nationalist Activism
1945-6 The Republican Party
1946-51 Spiritual Retreat
1951-58 Democracy and Independence
1958-64 'Abbud's Military Regime
1964-69 Second Democratic Period
1968 Apostasy Trial
1969-76 Numayri's Military Regime
1969-85 Republican Practice
1969-77 The Quarrel with the Traditionalist Scholars
1977-85 Return of the Muslim Brothers
1980-82 Millenarian Expectations and Internal Controversy
1983-85 Numayri's Islamic Law
1985 Apostasy Trial
1985-6 Evaluations of the Trial
Conclusion: the Development of Taha's Views
2 The Need for Reform
2.0 Introduction: Muslim Modernism and Islamism
2.1 Reform of Western Modernity
2.2 Reform of Traditional Islam
2.3 Conclusion
3 The Return to Sufism
3.0 Introduction: Taha and the Sufi Tradition
3.1 Fall and Return
3.2 Existence
3.3 Man
3.4 Spiritual Progress
3.5 Enlightenment
3.6 Prophets and Saints
3.7 Unity and Development of Religion
3.8 The Qur'an
3.9 Following the Prophet
3.10 Individualism
3.11 Death and Afterlife
3.12 The Return of Jesus
3.13 The Sealing of Prophethood and Sainthood
3.14 Conclusion
4 Evolution
4.0 Introduction: Evolution
4.1 Spiritual Universe
4.2 Evolution Re-enchanted
4.3 Emergence of Man
4.4 History of Science and Religion
4.5 God's Kingdom on Earth
5 The Second Message of Islam
5.0 Introduction: Legal Reform
5.1 The Concept of the Second Message
5.2 The Sealing of Guardianship
5.3 Socialism and Democracy
5.4 Non-Muslims
5.5 Women
5.6 Corporal Punishments
5.7 Perfect Man
Conclusion
Sources and References
Index
Preface
Introduction
1 Taha and His Republican Movement
1909-32 Childhood and Education
1932-45 Nationalist Activism
1945-6 The Republican Party
1946-51 Spiritual Retreat
1951-58 Democracy and Independence
1958-64 'Abbud's Military Regime
1964-69 Second Democratic Period
1968 Apostasy Trial
1969-76 Numayri's Military Regime
1969-85 Republican Practice
1969-77 The Quarrel with the Traditionalist Scholars
1977-85 Return of the Muslim Brothers
1980-82 Millenarian Expectations and Internal Controversy
1983-85 Numayri's Islamic Law
1985 Apostasy Trial
1985-6 Evaluations of the Trial
Conclusion: the Development of Taha's Views
2 The Need for Reform
2.0 Introduction: Muslim Modernism and Islamism
2.1 Reform of Western Modernity
2.2 Reform of Traditional Islam
2.3 Conclusion
3 The Return to Sufism
3.0 Introduction: Taha and the Sufi Tradition
3.1 Fall and Return
3.2 Existence
3.3 Man
3.4 Spiritual Progress
3.5 Enlightenment
3.6 Prophets and Saints
3.7 Unity and Development of Religion
3.8 The Qur'an
3.9 Following the Prophet
3.10 Individualism
3.11 Death and Afterlife
3.12 The Return of Jesus
3.13 The Sealing of Prophethood and Sainthood
3.14 Conclusion
4 Evolution
4.0 Introduction: Evolution
4.1 Spiritual Universe
4.2 Evolution Re-enchanted
4.3 Emergence of Man
4.4 History of Science and Religion
4.5 God's Kingdom on Earth
5 The Second Message of Islam
5.0 Introduction: Legal Reform
5.1 The Concept of the Second Message
5.2 The Sealing of Guardianship
5.3 Socialism and Democracy
5.4 Non-Muslims
5.5 Women
5.6 Corporal Punishments
5.7 Perfect Man
Conclusion
Sources and References
Index