Knowledge and Liberation: A Treatise on Philosophical Theology

by Nasir-i Khusraw

The writings of Nasir Khusraw have had a major formative influence on the Ismaili communities of Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia. The bulk of his surviving work was produced in exile in a remote mountainous region of Badakhshan where he sought refuge from persecution in his native district of Balkh. This is the first of his doctrinal treatises to be translated into English. Consisting of a series of 30 questions and answers, it addresses some of the central theological and philosophical issues of his time, ranging from the creation of the world and the nature of the soul to the questions of human free will and accountability in the afterlife.

Genres: Islam, Philosophy, History

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 2, 1999

About the author

Nasir Khusraw was born in 1004 CE, in Qubadiyan, then Greater Khorasan (near the present-day city of Balkh in Afghanistan). He was well versed in all the branches of natural science, in medicine, mathematics, astronomy and astrology, in Greek philosophy and the writings of al-Kindi, al-Farabi and Ibn Sina; and the interpretation of the Qur'an. He had studied Arabic, Turkish, Greek, the vernacular languages of India and Sind, and perhaps even Hebrew; he had visited Multan and Lahore, and the splendid Ghaznavid court under Sultan Mahmud, Firdousi's patron. Later on he chose Merv for his residence, and was the owner of a house and garden there.

Until A.H. 437 (1046 CE), he worked as financial secretary and revenue collector for the Seljuk sultan Toghrul Beg, or rather of his brother Jaghir Beg, the emir of Khorasan, who had conquered Merv in 1037. About this time, inspired by a heavenly voice in a dream, he abjured all the luxuries of life, and resolved upon a pilgrimage to the holy shrines of Mecca and Medina, hoping to find there the solution to his spiritual crisis.

read more:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasir_Kh...
in Persian: ناصر خسرو

Reviews

[Fatemah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The books presents Islamic concepts of the soul, mizan (balance), sirat al mustaqim, the universe, its elements, its physical and spiritual realms and rankings in probably the most concise way I've encountered thus far.

Highly recommended for those interested in Islamic theology and philosophy.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to read. I was pleasantly surprised to see that this volume includes the Persian text in good font and clean grammar. I enjoyed reading it immensely. Nasir Khusraw's prose is a great example of classic Persian prose of his time and very enjoyable. Some concepts might not appeal to the contemporary reader, as they are based on Nasir Khusraw's knowledge, limited by his time. However the overall concepts and discussions in the book are worthy of close attention and examination. I highly recommend it.

[Rozina]

the most dense book i've read, well, been reading for years and still haven't finished.