Benjamin F. Soares
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780748622856
- eISBN:
- 9780748670635
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9780748622856.003.0006
- Subject:
- Society and Culture, African Studies
This chapter focuses on one of the most important sources of Islamic religious authority in contemporary Mali, the disparate Islamic esoteric sciences. Considering the sociology of the knowledge and ...
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This chapter focuses on one of the most important sources of Islamic religious authority in contemporary Mali, the disparate Islamic esoteric sciences. Considering the sociology of the knowledge and use of such practices, it shows how they are absolutely central to understandings of Islam here and, therefore, constitute an orthodoxy that has not gone uncontested.Less
This chapter focuses on one of the most important sources of Islamic religious authority in contemporary Mali, the disparate Islamic esoteric sciences. Considering the sociology of the knowledge and use of such practices, it shows how they are absolutely central to understandings of Islam here and, therefore, constitute an orthodoxy that has not gone uncontested.
Edward William Lane and Jason Thompson
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9789774165603
- eISBN:
- 9781617975516
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- American University in Cairo Press
- DOI:
- 10.5743/cairo/9789774165603.003.0012
- Subject:
- Society and Culture, Middle Eastern Studies
This chapter opens with an explanation of the distinction held by learned Muslims between “spiritual” magic, effected by angels and jinn, and “natural” or “deceptive magic,” induced by drugs or ...
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This chapter opens with an explanation of the distinction held by learned Muslims between “spiritual” magic, effected by angels and jinn, and “natural” or “deceptive magic,” induced by drugs or perfumes for example. It discusses who could practise it and relates tales of magic performed by famous magicians. It moves on briefly to alchemy (which is said to require good knowledge of chemistry) and astrology, both of which were widely studied in Egypt. Astrology includes geomancy, the signs of the zodiac, determining auspicious periods of time, and was used for purposes such as determining if two people will make a good marriage match.Less
This chapter opens with an explanation of the distinction held by learned Muslims between “spiritual” magic, effected by angels and jinn, and “natural” or “deceptive magic,” induced by drugs or perfumes for example. It discusses who could practise it and relates tales of magic performed by famous magicians. It moves on briefly to alchemy (which is said to require good knowledge of chemistry) and astrology, both of which were widely studied in Egypt. Astrology includes geomancy, the signs of the zodiac, determining auspicious periods of time, and was used for purposes such as determining if two people will make a good marriage match.
