On the Sociology of Islam: Lectures [Paperback]

Ali Shariati (Author), Hamid Algar (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0933782004 | ISBN-13: 978-0933782006

In preparing the way for the unparalleled surge of Islamic revival in Iran, many factors have been at work. One of the most important is the legacy of Dr. Ali Shari'ati (1933-1977). A teacher, scholar and writer, Shari'ati and a dynamic influence on the young people of Iran with his classes, discussions, free lectures and articles during the 1960's and 1970's.

Shari'ati was a sociologist, educated in Mashhad and Paris, as well as a student of history and philosophy. He subjected contemporary society to careful examination, using the terms, experiences and concepts found in Islamic philosophy and culture for his analysis. He formulated and presented to his students and readers a coherent Islamic world-view and an ideology of social, political and economic change. His views have contributed much to the Iranian Islamic revolution.

Shari'ati works are constantly reprinted and eagerly studies through-out Iran. This anthology is the first systematic presentation in English of some of his major ideas.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Persian (translation)

About the Author

Hamid Algar, the translator was born in 1940 in England and studied Arabic and Persian languages and Islamic Studies at Cambridge University. Since 1965 he has been teaching in the Department of Near Eastern Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where he is now Professor of Persian and Islamic Studies. Professor Algar has written extensively on the religious history of Iran.

Product Details

• Paperback: 133 pages
• Publisher: Mizan Pr (April 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0933782004
• ISBN-13: 978-0933782006
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #351,002 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Islam > General

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good sample of this important thinker, May 17, 2011

By 

Matthew Smith "Roger Mexico" (TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: On the Sociology of Islam: Lectures (Paperback)

This is a very good look at this important Iranian thinkers views. These lectures are a great sampling that illustrates just how revolutionary Shariati was. Shariati took no prisoners in his approach to intellectual and religious pursuits and teaching. He not only took on the regime but attacked the entrenched religious establishment as well. In this book some of his most scathing criticism is for the religious leaders in Iran. Right from the beginning he takes on these leaders and teachers, and criticizes them for helping to keep the masses ignorant not just of spiritual matters but in all things.

This is where Shariati was truly revolutionary; he spoke to the people in a language they could understand. His goal was to lift up the people spiritually and intellectually, and the reason why he is so influential, and remains so, is because of his ability to translate complex ideas into simple language. His was not a top down approach but a bottom up approach designed to enlighten the masses so that they would demand change of the status quo and force the religious leaders out of their lethargy as well as bring down the parasitic regime of Reza Pahlavi.

This is the best example of Shariati's ideas. It shows his intellectual approach as well as explaining how he blends his religion in with his intellectual ideologies. It gives the reader a good picture of how this man thought and how he developed his ideas and created this symbiosis between Western philisophy and scientific studies and Iranian Shi'ism.

This is one of the most influential Iranians of the last hundred years. His importance rivals that of Khomeini, and without Shariati there very well might not have been a Khomeini. With that said, it is clear that he would have been seen as an enemy of the Islamic Republic, then and now, just as much as he was of the Sha's regime, while he was still alive. This is why he is still relevant today. His ideas are still just as dangerous to the Iranian regime of today as the one in the 70's, if not more so.

This man is very important to read. His ideas are still influencing events today, and are essential to understanding the history of Iran over the last 40 years. He was not only a radical, intellectual and revolutionary but also a man of the common people. Unlike many of his contemporaries he did refused to remain in the ivory towers of university life or religious schools, but instead got in amongst the people to help raise them up. As I learn more about him and read deeper into his works I keep thinking that if only he would have been more popular than Qutb then the Middle East might be a very different place today. I recommend this and other works by this author.

8 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, May 12, 2000

By 

Mohammed Husain (Chatsworth, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Sociology of Islam: Lectures (Paperback)

This work, like all of Shariati's other works is exceptional. Shariati does a good job uncovering the divine symbolism in the Holy Prophet's life. Furthermore, Shariati incorporates the principles of sociology into this symbolism. This is a great book for everybody.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, April 22, 2008

By 

Freedom for all - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Sociology of Islam: Lectures (Paperback)

Shariati's style is breathtaking and takes you step by step throughout a subject that an entire islamic nation seems to be confused about.