Description
(Short description)
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Apocalypse Now: The Anguishes of Fazlizade Ali
1.1 The Infidels Triumph
1.2 Petticoat Government
1.3 The Muslims Decline
1.4 Conclusion
2. Mehmed Birgev and the Sunni Tradition: Piety and Ethics
2.1 Creeds: Angels and the Realities of the Hereafter
2.2 Ilm-i hal: The Indispensable Knowledge of the State
2.3 The Battlefield of the Heart
2.4 Conclusion
3. The Sufis Choice: Catering to the Needs of the Many
3.1 The Emergence of Bourgeois Sufism
3.2 The Sufi Sheikh: Perfect Guide or Deceitful Impostor?
3.3 Passionate Love and Predestination
3.4 Conclusion
4. Ottoman Sciences: Attaining Happiness through Knowledge
4.1 The Jurists View: May God protect us from Useless Knowledge
4.2 Meditative Wisdom: The Sciences of Civilized Peoples
4.3 Utilitarian Wisdom: Technologies for Daily Use
4.4 Conclusion
5. Yusuf Nabi: I created the World for Thy Sake
Conclusion
Bibliography
(Text)
This volume presents one of the first in-depth studies of Ottoman religious and intellectual history during the "dark ages" of the late 16th to 18th centuries. It endeavours to give a glimpse into the rich and multi-faceted religious and scientific interests flourishing during an era that has so far often been depicted as a period of cultural "decline". Starting from the severe criticism the Sufi preacher Fazlizade 'Ali levelled against Istanbul's Muslims in his book "The Mirror of Hearts" which he wrote in 1740, different aspects and interpretations of Ottoman Islam are analysed: beginning with a description of Fazlizade's apocalyptic vision regarding Ottoman society, this study then focuses on discussions concerning questions of Sunni Islam such as the principles of faith, ritual duties, and ethics, on developments within Sufism and on mystic ideas that fascinated the early modern Ottoman audience. Further on, different Ottoman approaches to the use of reason and the exploration of heaven and earth are presented; and finally, the famous Ottoman poet Yusuf Nabi and his attitudes towards religion and the world at large, serve as an example for how an educated Ottoman of the late 17th century gave meaning to his life.
(Table of content)
Table of ContentsIntroduction1. Apocalypse Now: The Anguishes of Fazlizade 'Ali1.1 The Infidels' Triumph1.2 Petticoat Government1.3 The Muslims' Decline1.4 Conclusion2. Mehmed Birgevi and the Sunni Tradition: Piety and Ethics2.1 Creeds: Angels and the Realities of the Hereafter2.2 'Ilm-i hal: The Indispensable "Knowledge of the State"2.3 The Battlefield of the Heart2.4 Conclusion3. The Sufis' Choice: Catering to the Needs of the Many3.1 The Emergence of "Bourgeois" Sufism3.2 The Sufi Sheikh: Perfect Guide or Deceitful Impostor?3.3 Passionate Love and Predestination3.4 Conclusion4. Ottoman Sciences: Attaining Happiness through Knowledge4.1 The Jurists' View: "May God protect us from Useless Knowledge"4.2 Meditative Wisdom: The Sciences of Civilized Peoples4.3 Utilitarian Wisdom: Technologies for Daily Use4.4 Conclusion5. Yusuf Nabi: I created the World for Thy SakeConclusionBibliography
