Offering a new reading of Islamic ethical and political thought in the BÅyid period (334-440/946-1048) this book focuses particularly on the philosopher AbÅ HayyÄn al-TawhÄdÄ who lived in Baghdad and what is now western Iran. Ethics in Islam provides the first major treatment of al-TawhÄdÄ's ethics political thought and social idealism investigating the complex influences that shaped this thought and especially his concept of friendship which is analysed in the unique context of BÅyid society. Al-TawhÄdÄ revives the value of friendship in politics. He introduces it as the best way to reform social and political order and as a means to the good life to restrain passion and self-interest to bring about cooperation and promote reason and for action in opposition to religious zeal. Instead of seeing him as alienated from society supposedly rejecting traditional Muslim beliefs this book places him in his historical and intellectual contexts and shows that while he was original in many ways his outlook was firmly rooted in the Islamic culture in which he was educated. Contributing to modern discussions of Islam and political ethics this book is of interest to scholars and researchers of political philosophy comparative ethical thought and Islamic studies. . Language: English