Dreams and Visions in the World of Islam: A History of Muslim Dreaming and Foreknowing (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781780761428)

People in Western societies have long been interested in their dreams and what they mean. However, few non-Muslims in the West are likely to seek interpretation of those dreams to help them make life-changing decisions. In the Islamic world the situation is quite different. Dreaming and the import of visions are here of enormous significance, to the degree that many Muslims believe that in their dreams they are receiving divine guidance: for example, on whether or not to accept a marriage proposal, or a new job opportunity. In her authoritative new book, Elizabeth Sirriyeh offers the first concerted history of the rise of dream interpretation in Islamic culture, from medieval times to the present. Central to the book is the figure of the Prophet Muhammad - seen to represent for Muslims the perfect dreamer, visionary and interpreter of dreams. Less benignly, dreams have been exploited in the propaganda of Islamic militants in Afghanistan, and in apocalyptic visions relating to the 9/11 attacks. This timely volume gives an important, fascinating and overlooked subject the exploration it has long deserved.

Author: Elizabeth Sirriyeh
ISBN-10: 1780761422
ISBN-13: 9781780761428
Publisher: Continnuum-3PL
Language: English
Published: 01/30/2015
Pages: 256
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 8.54h x 6.34w x 0.94d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 12/01/2015