Islam and Proto-?

March 10, 2007 8:41 AM

Is there an Islamic equivalent to the existential precursors in Judeo-Christianity.? For example, I am mainly thinking of an Islamic equivalent to Ecclesiastes, which is seen as a precursor to Existentialism. Also, are there any writers from Islamic cultures that have existentialist leanings (i.e. versions of Emile Cioran or Paul Tillich) ?.
posted by Gnostic Novelist to Religion & Philosophy (6 answers total)

I'm quite out of my depth with this, but would Mulla Sadra count?
posted by Abiezer at 8:59 AM on March 10, 2007

Nominally, Islam accepts the entire Bible as being Holy Writ.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 10:14 AM on March 10, 2007

Ibn Sina ("Avicenna"). Excellent existentialist poetry from a 10th century Uzbek medico-philosopher who lived most of his life in Iran. He synthesises neoplatonism and Islam.
posted by meehawl at 12:54 PM on March 10, 2007

Some of Omar Khayyam's Rubaiyat* are often said to have much in common with Ecclesiastes.

*(Fitzgerald's translation is certainly not the closest to the original, but it's by far the easiest to find.)
posted by sfenders at 7:56 PM on March 10, 2007

While this is not really an answer to your question it might still interest you: The Syro-Aramaic Reading Of The Qur'an from Luxenberg.
posted by yoyo_nyc at 8:56 AM on March 11, 2007

yoyo_nyc is on the right track with Luxenberg. The real problem was that Islam's Eccliastes (and there have been many) are seen as saints by their followers and apostates by the rest. Picture Ahmad in Pakistan, claiming to be the Mahdi to his followers. His writings have been an extremely helpful in the creation of the 'reformative' culturalisation of modern Islam. Pakistan and the places where Islam came later to dominate are especially useful in learning of the Ecclesiastes. The first Aga Khan, leader of the Ismail'i sect typifies this expression of faith. Also, the writings of the saints of the Dawoodi Bora Shia sect, whose leaders stressed the need for good works and good careers in a way that leads all of its member to reach terminal educational and business prospects.
posted by parmanparman at 12:48 PM on March 11, 2007