New Books in Middle Eastern Studies John Tolan, "Islam: A New History from Muhammad to the Present" (Princeton UP, 2025)
Dec 15, 2025
John Tolan, Professor emeritus of history at the University of Nantes, dives into the rich tapestry of Islam in his latest work. He explores the religion's dynamic history from its roots in Mecca to the complexities of modernity, emphasizing the coexistence of diverse interpretations within Islam. Tolan highlights crucial dialogues between Muslims and Christians, the significance of historical figures like Rabia al-Adaweya, and critiques of simplistic narratives around Arab nationalism and Islamist movements. His insights reveal the profound cultural exchanges that have shaped the Muslim world over centuries.
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Declare Your Perspective When Writing History
- Be explicit about your position when writing about other faiths or cultures to avoid false claims of objectivity.
- John Tolan recommends scholars disclose perspective and focus on lived history rather than theological definitions alone.
Multiple Islams Have Coexisted Since Early Centuries
- Islam has long housed multiple legitimate approaches, from legalist to Sufi spiritualities, not a single orthodoxy.
- Tolan shows these pluralities existed early (9th-century Baghdad) and persist today in conflicts like Wahhabi vs. Sufi debates.
Rabia On The Cover To Challenge Expectations
- Tolan chose an 18th-century Mughal painting of Rabia al-Adaweya for the cover to surprise readers' expectations of Islamic imagery.
- The image highlights diversity and continuity: a revered 9th-century Iraqi mystic visualized in Indo-Mughal style centuries later.
