ebooks 1920: The Year that Made the Decade Roar by Eric Burns in History

Description

In 833 CE; the Abbasid Caliph al-Ma'mun began a period of inquisition (mihna); one which continued until his successor al-Mutawakkil decreed its end; fifteen years later. During this period; the Caliphs in power strove to promote 'correct belief' in the 'createdness' of the Qur'an; thus ordering the interrogation of religious scholars; and disqualifying; punishing or even executing those who answered incorrectly. Here; John P. Turner examines this major episode; viewing it as a pivotal point in the struggle between the temporal authorities and religious law in the Middle East. By examining the definition of 'heresy'; Turner presents a vivid account of the heresy trials in this period; as well as incisive analysis concerning the relationship between secular power and religious authority. This book is of particular interest to researchers and scholars of Islamic history; comparative religion and the medieval world.