Deciphering the Signs of God: A Phenomenological Approach to Islam

by Annemarie Schimmel

The Qur'an constantly exhorts people to 'look at the signs of god,' signs that are hidden 'in the horizons and in themselves.' This book examines the mysteries of Islam using a phenomenological method to come closer to the true center of Muslim belief.

Schimmel takes as her starting point the simplest 'signs of god'— natural phenomena like stones, plants and animals, and their use in religious and symbolic language. She then moves on to less obvious signs, such as sacred time and space, ritual actions, forms of worship, the sacred individual, and the order of the community. She concludes with an examination of the individual's response to the mystery of the Divine. Based on both original classical sources and modern literature, as well as the author's considerable personal experience, this is not only a fascinating survey of Islamic practices and beliefs, but also a broad and integrated overview of the phenomenology of Islam.

Genres: Islam, Philosophy, Religion

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1994

About the author

(Arabic: آنا ماري شيمل)

was a well known and very influential German Orientalist and scholar, who wrote extensively on Islam and Sufism. She was a professor at Harvard University from 1967 to 1992.
..
مستشرقة المانية ولدت في مدينة إرفورت بوسط ألمانيا لعائلة بروتستانتية تنتمي إلى الطبقة الوسطى..في عام 1939 نزحت مع الأسرة إلى برلين وفيها بدأت دراستها الجامعية للأستشراق. وبعد عام واحد بدأت العمل على رسالتها للدكتوراة حول مكانة علماء الدين في المجتمع المملوكى تحت إشراف ريشارد هارتمان وقد انتهت منها في نوفمبر 1941 وهى في التاسعة عشر من عمرها ونشرتها عام 1943 في مجلة "عالم الإسلام" تحت عنوان "الخليفة والقاضى في مصر في العصور الوسطى المتأخرة".
وفى نوفمبر من عام 1941 عملت كمترجمة عن التركية في وزارة الخارجية الألمانية. وفى وقت الفراغ واصلت اهتمامها العلمى بتاريخ المماليك حتى تمكنت من عمل فهارس لتاريخ ابن إياس. وفى مارس 1945، قبيل نهاية الحرب العالمية الثانية بقليل، انتهت من رسالة الدكتوراه في جامعة برلين عن الطبقة العسكرية المملوكية.
وقد احرزت،، في عام 1995 وكأول مستشرقة ودارسة للإسلام جائزة السلام الألمانية التي يمنحها اتحاد الناشرين الألمان ويسلمها رئيس الدولة الألمانى.

Reviews

[Dženan Mušanović · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastična fenomenološka studija koja pokazuje duboki uvid u islam. Erudita, vrsna poznavateljska i stručnjakinja za islam, islamsku kulturu, religiju i civilizaciju, žena koja je u toj materiji bila na domaćem terenu, ispisuje knjigu koja pokazuje da je moguće i drugačije gledanje zapadnog istraživača na islam, ne kao egzotični Orijent koji bi valjalo demistificirati, kako su to činili većina orijentalista pod svjetlom kolonijalne imperijalističke destrukcije i ideologizacije, već kao susjeda, kako u Pogovoru piše profesor Enes Karić. Odgonetanje Božijih znakova donosi impresivna zapažanja, povezuje i u skladnu i koherentnu cjelinu dovodi islam kao cjelokupni životni sistem, kao način, kao modus vivendi.

Ovo bi bio sažetak vlastitog utiska; ne mogu skriti da me knjiga itekako dojmila. Opširan, temeljit i elaboriran osvrt uskoro.

[Abdullah Başaran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Schimmel'in kitabı "İslam'a Fenomenolojik Bir Giriş" aslında; pek çok unsur, güzel bir dille, ne yargılayıcı ve teşhir edici ne de allayıp pullayıcı bir üslupla tanıtılıyor. Birçok bilgi, kategorik olarak alt alta dizilmiş. Bu açıdan kullanışlı da bir kitap.

Ancak kitabı Albaraka'dan yayımlanan yeni baskısından (Tanrı'nın Ayetlerinin Çözümlenmesi, 2021) okudum. Kabalcı çevirisi de Ekrem Demirli'ye ait, kitabın adı dışında bir değişiklik yapılmamış olabilir. Çünkü çeviri dili çok kusurlu, hiçbir editöryal müdahale yok. Her sayfasında sayısız yazım yanlışı ve düzelti hatası da var üstelik, son okuması bile yapılmamış. Utanılması gereken bir yayın hikayesi.

[Arif Mulyadi]

Membaca karya-karya Annemarie Schimmel membawa pengalaman tersendiri mengenai spiritualisme Islam. Buku yang edisi Indonesianya bertajuk Rahasia Wajah Suci Ilahi yang diterbitkan Mizan ini memberikan pemahaman fenomenologis tentang Islam. Dalam buku yang cukup tebal ini, Schimmel seolah-olah ingin mengatakan bahwa tidak ada selain DIA. Seluruh eksistensi merupakan manifestasi Dia semata. Dia/Bukan Dia.

[Hailane Salam · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Deciphering the Signs of God" by Annemarie Schimmel offers a unique and insightful perspective on the complex and multifaceted nature of Islam. It is a groundbreaking exploration of the symbols and metaphors used in Islamic theology and mysticism. Schimmel's phenomenological approach to understanding religion allows for a deep exploration of its many aspects, from its historical roots to its contemporary expressions. Some readers may find the book's academic tone and dense prose challenging to engage with, while some readers may not agree with all of the author's interpretations and conclusions, her thoughtful and thought-provoking analysis provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about Islam and its place in the world. Overall, "Deciphering the Signs of God" is a must-read for anyone seeking to broaden their understanding of this rich and diverse tradition.

[Misamay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually swipe books from my brother's shelf out of desperation, and out of nowhere, they become stitches sewn onto my heart. And this book is no different.

I am only 80 pages in, but am salivating over this comprehensive historical study on ayat in the islamic ummah! A DEFINITE re-read. Do not be surprised when and how often I will be quoting from this book!

[🌸Sweetgrass]

Can read dry in spots, but she's fairly thorough.

[Reza Hashemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12102128

[Mehlika · Rating 3 out of 5]

İslam'ın çeşitli kültürler üzerindeki-özellikle Hint ve Türk- yansımalarını ele almış, keyifli bir kitap. Daha subjektif bir şeyler bekliyordum sanırım. Ama böyle de fena değil.