On the Sociology of Islam

In preparing the way for the unparalleled surge of Islamic revival that we now witness in Iran, many factors have been at work. One of the most important is the the legacy of Dr. Ali Shari’ati (1933-1977). A teacher, scholar and writer, Shari’ati had a dynamic influence on the young people of Iran with his classes, discussions, free lectures and articles during the 1960’s and `1970’s. Shari’ati was a sociologist, educated in mashhad and paris, as well as a student of history and philosophy. He subjected contemporary society to careful examination, using the terms, experiences and concepts found in Islamic philosophy and culture for his analysis. He formulated and presented to his students and readers a coherent Islamic world-view and an ideology of social, political and economic change. He views have contributed much to the Iranian Islamic revolution. Shari’ati’s works are constantly reprinted and eagerly studied throughout Iran. The anthology is the first systematic presentation in English of some his major ideas. In it the reader is introduced to several of his facorite the unity of the universe, the confusion of terms in marxism, the man of faith as rebel.