Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd and the limits of reform in contemporary Islamic thought

Thesis

This thesis examines in depth the thought and ideas of the Egyptian intellectual Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd as a representative of modernist Isalmic thought. In unpacking and analysingAbu Zayd’s ideas, this thesis focuses on five major issues: shari‘a, Islam and politics, the Arab-Islamic heritage, history, and the issue of women’s rights. This thesis argues that Abu Zayd’s thought suffers from some of the same weaknesses he attacked in traditional and Islamist thought. By focusing on Abu Zayd I not only contribute to understanding a major intellectual in contemporary Islamic thought but also shed light on his wider intellectual family.

Authors: Oweidat, N

• Publication date: 2014
• DOI: 10.5287/ora-azeqp114v
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: Oxford University, UK
• Language: English
• Keywords: Contemporary Islamic Thought; Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd
• Subjects: Intellectual History; Islam