Nineteenth-century philologist and Biblical critic William Robertson Smith famously concluded that the sacred status of holy places derives not from their intrinsic nature but from their social character. Building upon this insight; Mecca and Eden uses Islamic exegetical and legal texts to analyze the rituals and objects associated with the sanctuary at Mecca. Integrating Islamic examples into the comparative study of religion; Brannon Wheeler shows how the treatment of rituals; relics; and territory is related to the more general mythological depiction of the origins of Islamic civilization. Along the way; Wheeler considers the contrast between Mecca and Eden in Muslim rituals; the dispersal and collection of relics of the prophet Muhammad; their relationship to the sanctuary at Mecca; and long tombs associated with the gigantic size of certain prophets mentioned in the Quran. Mecca and Eden succeeds; as few books have done; in making Islamic sources available to the broader study of religion.
#644197 in Books 1969-08-15 1969-08-15Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .76 x 6.00l; .80 #File Name: 0226718557294 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Excerpts from Russian literatureBy Zlata KonevskiThis book is ideal for the reader that is familiar with Russian literature and wants to know a little bit more.There are many excerpts from books which are no longer in print or not available in regular book shops.This is a gem of a book for anyone who wants to go beyond the classic well known books.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Loved it.By Marguerite AbaddonaisThis book; like the other volumes in this series; was well written. Short; concise; and full of information most Americans are never going to know; I'd recommend this series (and it's a very short series) to anyone with a passing interest in world history.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great BookBy Paola ColonI bought this for my Imperial Russian class and it is amazing. SO many great works and authors in one book.
