Author Godefroid de Callatay is Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Louvain.

• Acknowledgement INTRODUCTIONShi‘ismPhilosophyThe tenth century 1 ESOTERICISMThe nameThe problem of date and authorshipAncient evidenceLater conjecturesModern confusionThe tangible corpus of epistles 2 EMANATIONISMThe formation of the universeThe creation of timeComing-to-be and passing-awayThe place of man in God’s creationMan’s double natureThe sin of the First AdamEschatological prospects 3 MILLENARIANISMAstrological determinismThe theory of prophetic cyclesThe origin of prophetic astrologyA propitious conjunction in sightThe Sleepers of the CaveConcealment and manifestationThe rising of the three qa’ims 4 ENCYCLOPAEDISMThe classification of knowledgePropaedeutic sciencesReligious sciencesPhilosophical sciencesThe subdivisions of philosophyComparison of the systems 5 SYNCRETISMThe Greek heritagePersian and Indian influencesReconciling profane and sacred wisdomThe interpretation of the Qur’anThe leveling of sacred authoritiesThe ultimate books 6 IDEALISMOther confessionsReligious lawThe true imamImagined propagandaThe sessions of scienceMetaphors for Utopia EpilogueGuide to further readingIndex of passages from the Rasa’il Ikhwan al-Safa’General index