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513 pages
First published January 1, 1964
kudus to the institute of Ismaili studies for English translation of this beautiful gem. I was looking for some book like this with a brief, comparative study of different schools of thought of Islamic theology. I read many reviews complaining bias of writer towards Shi'ite schools, specifically Ismailis, but in my opinion, the esotericism of Shi'ism was explained in the start of the book. Among Sunni schools Mutazilites, Ashaarites and Sufis are discussed in length. other schools of thought, who then resorted to jurisdictional Islam and don't care about philosophical discussions.
This book introduced me to some wonderful sages worth reading in-depth, like al-Suharwardi, Ibne Arabi Nasir Uddin Tusi, Mir Damad, mullah Sadra, Hellenizing philosophers,Najmuddin Kubra, attar of Nishapur and many more. this book corrected my views about Imam Ghazali. previously I thought him an epitome of irrationality in Islam but he was way more rational than most of his followers these days, how tried their best to present him irrationally. would love to read him further.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the basis of inter-sect differences in Islam. mostly this quest is discouraged, as they fear it will cause hate but I think it is necessary for coexistence to know why these differences arise. e.g it is not just how Shia and Sunni hold their hands while prayer rather a whole philosophy of wilayat which is like a bifurcation early in Islamic history. interestingly source of both these mirror opposite doctrines is the same Quran.