This book raises the issue of authenticating various types of discourses and rulings. It focuses on a deep epistemological critique of the concept of authentication itself, as practiced by the religious mind and as analyzed by the modern mind. It argues that what was suitable for the early Islamic eras is no longer suitable for modern times, and what are currently called fundamentalist movements are not truly authenticating. These movements have limited themselves to political or activist struggle without any reconsideration, interpretation, or renewal of that thought.

In this book, Arkoun continues his work on issues of Islamic history, armed with the latest findings from the modern philosophy of science. He posits that the work of absolutely authenticating origins remains impossible in an era of constant change and transformation.

About the Author: Mohammed Arkoun is an Algerian researcher, historian, and thinker. He holds a doctorate in philosophy from the Sorbonne University, where he was appointed professor of the history of Islamic thought and philosophy in 1968. Since 1993, he has served as a member of the board of directors of the Institutes for Ismaili Studies in London. Arkoun writes in French and English, and his works have been translated into numerous languages.

Among his works translated into Arabic and published by Dar Al Saqi:

• Islam, Europe, the West
• Where is Contemporary Islamic Thought?
• The Unthought in Contemporary Islamic Thought
• Humanism in Arab Thought
• Secularism and Religion
• From Ijtihad to the Critique of Islamic Reason
• Battles for Humanism in Islamic Contexts
• From Manhattan to Baghdad: Beyond Good and Evil (with French researcher Joseph Maïla)

Publisher: Dar Al Saqi Publishing & Distribution

Author: Mohammed Arkoun

Number of Pages: 352

Year of Publication: 2007