Understanding Jihad

David Cook

Published by University of California Press 2015

Understanding Jihad

David Cook

https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520962491

Overview
Contents

About this book

First published in 2005, Understanding Jihad unravels the tangled historical, intellectual, and political meanings of jihad within the context of Islamic life. In this revised and expanded second edition, author David Cook has included new material in light of pivotal developments such as the extraordinary events of the Arab Spring, the death of Usama b. Ladin, and the rise of new Islamic factions such as ISIS.

Jihad is one of the most loaded and misunderstood terms in the news today. Contrary to popular understanding, the term does not mean "holy war." Nor does it simply refer to an inner spiritual struggle. This judiciously balanced, accessibly written, and highly relevant book looks closely at a range of sources from sacred Islamic texts to modern interpretations, opening a critically important perspective on the role of Islam in the contemporary world.

David Cook cites from scriptural, legal, and newly translated texts to give readers insight into the often ambiguous information that is used to construct Islamic doctrine. He sheds light on legal developments relevant to fighting and warfare and places the internal, spiritual jihad within the larger context of Islamic religion. He describes some of the conflicts that occur in radical groups and shows how the more mainstream supporters of these groups have come to understand and justify violence. He has also included a special appendix of relevant documents including materials related to the September 11 attacks and published manifestos issued by Usama b. Ladin and Palestinian suicide-martyrs.

Author / Editor information

Cook David :

David Cook is Associate Professor of Religion at Rice University. He is the author of Contemporary Muslim Apocalyptic Literature.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Preface to the Second Edition Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	xiii
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
One. Qur’an and Conquest Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	5
Two. The “Greater Jihad” and the “Lesser Jihad” Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	32
Three. The Crystallization of Jihad Theory: Crusade and Counter-Crusade Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	49
Four. Jihad during the Nineteenth Century: Renewal and Resistance Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	73
Five. Radical Islam and Contemporary Jihad Theory Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	93
Six. Globalist Radical Islam and Martyrdom Operations Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	128
Seven. The Rise of Jihadi States Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	162
Afterword Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	179
Appendix: Some Translated Documents Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	185
Timeline Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	243
Glossary Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	245
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	247
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	271
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	287

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: University of California Press
Edition: 2nd edition
Pages
- Main content: 328

eBook

Published: September 1, 2015
ISBN: 9780520962491