Orthodoxy and Heresy in Islam

Book excerpt: To what extent can concepts such as orthodoxy and heresy - originating from a different religious and cultural tradition - be applied in an Islamic context? This new Major Work synthesises the latest scholarship to address and answer this question. It explores the terminology on religious 'deviation' found in Islamic texts, and looks at specific debated issues that shed light on the implications of the theoretical discussions. The issue of sectarianism and its different aspects is also examined, as are different cases of accusations of religious deviation and the consequences. The set also details cases of accusations of apostasy and blasphemy both against God and against the Prophet.