ebooks The Islamic Enlightenment: The Struggle Between Faith and Reason; 1798 to Modern Times by Christopher de Bellaigue in History

Review

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful. With reservations; this is a very well written and instructive bookBy Ralph BlumenauThe title refers; not to the Golden Age of Islam in Middle Ages; when Europe learnt from Islam; but to the period from the early 19th century onwards; when Islam learnt from Europe. The theologians had clamped down on the Golden Age; and from then until the beginning of the 19th century Islam indeed fell far behind the West; but then Islamic societies began to modernize. In a 25-page introduction the author writes that in this later period the West has consistently stressed the backwardness of Islamic countries and has underestimated or ignored the rapid modernization of technology; institutions and culture after the response to Napoleon's invasion of Egypt in 1798. De Bellaigue concentrates on this aspect; but he does not ignore the backlash against it among the conservative forces in Islam or indeed the limited effectiveness of modernization throughout the period – almost to the point of contradicting his contention that the achievements of those countries have generally been underestimated. But it is true that; on the whole; the conservatives were able only to slow down; but not altogether to stop the pace of modernization until the 1980s – when this book ends.Modernization and enlightenment are not necessarily the same thing; and I have an issue with the book’s title: it seems to imply that the word “enlightenment” refers not just to the cultural developments (mostly among the educated middle class and having little or no impact on the poor); but also to the military; economic; and technological ones. You can see these latter aspects being developed by governments; like those of the Pahlevi Shahs; which are otherwise thoroughly repressive and unenlightened.In all three countries modernization began in the military area because the rulers were being defeated by foreign countries. Economic; technological; medical and educational improvements followed. There was then pressures for political and religious reform also; and these enjoyed occasional and brief periods of success before being put down by the governments; with the backing of the army and of the conservative clergy.But this is a most instructive and well-written book. The story is very well told; and also has many vivid and richly anecdotal descriptions. Readers who are already interested in the subject will know something of the key figures in the story; but we are also introduced to a host of characters – including feminists; novelists and journalists - who will be new to most readers. De Bellaigue devotes many pages to some of these; and we have to assume that they are important and representative.The book concentrates on the main centres of modernization: Egypt; Turkey and Iran. (De Bellaigue does not deal with the Muslim Enlightenment in India.) The first three chapters are each devoted to one of those centres; they end respectively in 1879; 1878 and 1852. After that; De Bellaigue argues; their respective experiences were so broadly similar they should no longer be treated separately in the remaining three chapters. That; however; makes those chapters harder to read; and I think it would have been better to continue to treat the three countries separately until the end of De Bellaigue’s chosen period in the 1980s. Although there are references to events right up to the present; De Bellaigue argues that since the 1980s transnational forces like Al-Qaeda and ISIS have taken centre stage; and that is why it no longer made sense to him to follow the story of his chosen national centres. These extremists have become a formidable threat to everything that might be called Islamic Enlightenment. They have come to such prominence that the millions of Muslims who continue to believe in progress and peaceful coexistence tend to be forgotten.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Most Informative and Valuable!By A. WalrusThis is one of the most timely and informative books about Islam that I have ever read and one from which those who live in fear and ignorance of this important world religion would learn a lot. It really pains me to see how many Americans; even those who claim to be well-educated; continue to perpetuate the myths that Islam is out to conquer the world; that every practicing Muslim is at least a closet jihadist; and that the Koran advocates nothing but violence and cruelty. Without mentioning these myths specifically; de Bellaigue; in a well-researched and carefully written book; successfully portrays Islam as being just like every other major religion trying to face up to the unprecedented challenges of the twenty-first century and how to reconcile religious faith and cultural tradition with the past and present influences of Westernization; not all of which have been helpful to the Middle East. I was particularly impressed his use of three Middle Eastern capitals--Cairo; Istanbul and Tehran--to demonstrate the range of actions and reactions that were and are possible when the politicians; the businessmen and the soldiers from more advanced countries attempt to exert their own; often self-serving interests on this part of the world. I highly recommend this book to those who wish to take the time to educate themselves regarding the recent history of the Middle East so as not to be swayed by the superficial and often ignorant portrayal of Islam and the people who practice this faith that we see among so many of our political leaders and in today's media..0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Enlightening for those who wish to better understand the Middle EastBy David W. MorrisFor those who thought the Middle East was firmly stuck in the Middle Ages until their world came crashing down at the end of the Great War; this book will be a revelation. To those who knew about the Nahda; the Tanzimat and many of the other efforts at reform; it is still enlightening to know many of the people (beyond sultans and dictators) who spurred these social; political and economic efforts despite strong (and at times successful) opposition. The key word in the title is "struggle;" and de Bellaigue makes that struggle clear. Very worthwhile.