Early Muslim Tradition of Dream Interpretation, The John C. Lamoreaux - Author $21.95 Paperback - 247 pages Release Date: May 2002 Summary Explores dream interpretation among the early Muslims, who saw dreams as a type of prophecy. Reportedly, the prophet Muhammad told his followers that after he was gone prophecy would come only through “true dreams.â€Ã‚  Based on this and other statements, early Muslims created what might be called a theology of dreams. Dreams were regarded as an important means used by God to guide the faithful, especially after the cessation of Koranic revelation. However, since these dreams were often symbolic, they required interpretation, and early Muslims wrote numerous manuals dedicated to deciphering their meaning. Utilizing manuscripts preserved in Middle Eastern mosques and libraries, this book offers the first comprehensive account of the early Muslim tradition of dream interpretation. In addition to describing how and when the tradition developed, author John C. Lamoreaux discusses the social context in which dream interpretation arose and its role in the intellectual life of the time. He demonstrates that early Muslims considered dream interpretation a fully orthodox theological discipline, one sanctioned both by the Koran and the example of the prophet Muhammad. “…provides a detailed survey of the orthodox Muslim dream literature up to the end of the eleventh century.â€Ã‚  — Speculum “This is an outstanding scholarly work of impressive scope and depth that is also a fascinating read. Lamoreaux makes cultural history exciting.â€Ã‚  — Alan Godlas, University of Georgia John C. Lamoreaux is Assistant Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Southern Methodist University. He is the author of John of Scythopolis and the Dionysian Corpus: Annotating the Areopagite, with Paul Rorem. Table Of Contents Acknolwedgments Introduction Dream Interpretation and Divination Context, History, and Disciplinary Boundaries Scribes and Selective Mediation The Structure of This Study 1. From Anecdote to Formalism Khallal and the History of Dream Interpretation The Legacy of Ibn Sirin Kirmani and the Beginnings of a Written Tradition of Dream Interpretation The Dream Manual of Ibn Qutaybah The Dream Manual of Sijistani Conclusions 2. The Fracturing of the Tradition Hunayn b. Ishaq and the Arabic Version of Artemidorus Qayrawani: A Shari ah-Minded Interpreter of Dreams The Dream Manual of the Litterateur Dinawari Kharkushi: Sufism, Dream Interpretation, and Tradition Ibn Sina: Philosophy, Dream Interpretation, and the Legacy of Hellenism Conclusions 3. Homogeneity and Imitation The Contours of the Early Muslim Oneirocritic Tradition The Contents of the Early Muslim Oneirocritic Traditions Conclusions 4. Dream Interpetation and Orthodoxy Finding a Koranic Foundation for Dream Interpretation Dream Interpretation and the Prophetic Traditions Dream Manuals and Their Readers: The Case of Andalusia The Diary of a Hanbali Interpreter of Dreams Conclusions 5. Dream Interpretation, Hellenism, and Non-Muslims Dream Interpretation and the Christians of Late Antiquity The Dream Manual of Ps. Achmet Bar Bahluls Book of Signs Conclusions Conclusions Dream Interpretation as an Islamicate Discourse Dream Interpretation as an Ecumenic Discourse Appendix. Early Muslim Dream Manuals Notes Bibliography Index