New book offers translation of medieval Islamic debate

A recently published book is offering readers a glimpse into how medieval Muslims debated their own religion. Abu Hatim al-Razi: The Proofs of Prophecy offers an English translation of a debate between two celebrated figures of the medieval Islamic era who diverge on notions of prophecy, miracles and the origins of science.

Tarif Khalidi, Shaykh Zayid Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the American University of Beirut, edited and and translated the work, one of the that few surviving records of a medieval debate.

The debate took place around 920 AD between Abu Hatim al-Razi, a well known Isma’ili missionary, and Abu Bakr al-Razi, a physician and philosopher known in Europe as Rhazes.

Rhazes, during the debate, expresses deep religious skepticism. He attacks the Qur’an and Bible, points to contradictions in holy scriptures and religious narratives, and dismisses scripture as superstition.

Click here to read this article from Medievalists.net