The Limits of Universalism in Islamic Thought: the Case of Indian Religions

Ernst gauges the extent to which certain Muslim writers were drawn to apply universalist understandings to the religions of India. While classical Islamic theology, on the basis of Qur'anic texts, explicitly recognizes only Jews and Christians as "peoples of the book," the extension o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Muslim world (Hartford) 2011-01, Vol.101 (1), p.1-19
Main Author: Ernst, Carl W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Argumentation
General subjects. History of religions. Religious anthropology
History and sciences of religions
Islam
Islamic culture
Jews
Minority & ethnic groups
Muslims
Negotiation
Philosophy
Politics
Religion
Religious literature
Studies in religion
Theology
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Summary:Ernst gauges the extent to which certain Muslim writers were drawn to apply universalist understandings to the religions of India. While classical Islamic theology, on the basis of Qur'anic texts, explicitly recognizes only Jews and Christians as "peoples of the book," the extension of this category of recognized religious groups to other traditions was and is in practice a matter or negotiation in local contexts, requiring the use of analogy with Jews and Christians, or other forms of argumentation. Muslim rulers in India had to face the fact that they were a minority in charge of a vast non-Muslim majority, and on the political level they generally dealt with the situation realistically.
ISSN:0027-4909
1478-1913
DOI:10.1111/j.1478-1913.2010.01338.x