The Body and the Sacred in Muslim Orient
Journal name: Archives De Sciences Sociales Des Religions
Original article title: Catherine MAYEUR-JAOUEN, Bernard HEYBERGER, Le corps et le sacré en Orient musulman
The journal “Archives of Social Sciences of Religions” publishes advanced research on religion in French, English, and Spanish. It studies the sociology of religions and religious traditions or theologies. It is supported by the INSHS-CNRS (“Institut des Sciences Humaines et Sociales”)
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Subtitle: Aix-en-Provence, Édisud, 2006, 383 p.
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Géraldine Mossière
Archives De Sciences Sociales Des Religions:
(Founded in 1956 and published quarterly”)
Full text available for: Catherine MAYEUR-JAOUEN, Bernard HEYBERGER, Le corps et le sacré en Orient musulman
Year: 2008 | Doi: 10.4000/assr.19653
Copyright (license): © Archives de sciences sociales des religions
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The collective work directed by Catherine Mayeur-Jaouen and Bernard Heyberger explores the intricate relationship between the body and the sacred in the context of Muslim Orient. This multidisciplinary volume gathers contributions from historians, anthropologists, and Islamic scholars, delving into contemporary social sciences themes while revisiting traditional representations of the body. The contributors address various themes, such as the ontology of the Muslim body, its ritualization and expression, its management across the life cycle, and the transformations instigated by modern challenges. The exploration raises stimulating questions, such as the nature of the Muslim body and its potential to shift between the sacred and the profane.
The Dual Nature of the Muslim Body
One significant concept discussed in the volume is the dual nature of the Muslim body, which oscillates between being a vessel of spiritual ascent and an entity subjected to legalistic norms. Authors argue that the body is often treated as a means of connection to the divine, embodying theological and social significance. Unlike in Christianity, where the body holds a sacred status, in Islam it is often instrumentalized for various ideological purposes, including theological devotion, political legitimacy, and social practices. Through ritual practices, such as birth, marriage, and funerals, the body becomes a site of regulation and management, framing the licit and illicit. Moreover, the tension between political control and spiritual elevation showcases the complexities surrounding bodily representation in Muslim contexts, indicating the impact of local customs compared to universal normative frameworks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the work serves as an insightful examination of how the body in Muslim Orient is perceived and ritualized, highlighting the interplay of modernity, tradition, and the diversity of lived experiences. It underscores the importance of understanding the body not merely as a subject of discourse but as a locus of real-life practices and beliefs. The authors make an important contribution to the dialogue on religion and culture by including perspectives from both Muslim and Christian communities in the region, fostering a nuanced understanding of corporeal representations amidst ongoing challenges of modernization and globalization. Despite some unevenness in ethnographic detail, the volume is rich in ethnographic insights and prompts further inquiry into the evolving notions of the body within contemporary Muslim societies.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the central theme of 'Le corps et le sacré en Orient musulman'?
The book explores the relationship between the body and sacredness in Muslim Orient, focusing on individual and collective representations, management of the body, and contemporary challenges through a multidisciplinary approach from historians, anthropologists, and Islamologists.
How do the authors approach the study of the Muslim body?
The authors employ both written and empirical sources, integrating historical texts and ethnographic research to examine the diverse experiences of the Muslim body across different cultures and time periods, while considering its significance in both spiritual and social contexts.
What contradictions are highlighted in the management of the Muslim body?
The book illustrates tensions between normative Islamic codes and local interpretations, showing how the body serves as a medium of power and spirituality, while addressing modern influences that challenge traditional views and practices related to the body.
Glossary definitions and references:
Theological and religious glossary list for “The Body and the Sacred in Muslim Orient”. The list explains important keywords that occur in this and other scholarly articles. It is also linked to the glossary for understanding that concept in the context of History, Religion, Philosophy, Theology, Sociology etc.
1) Power:
In the context of the body and its representations in the Muslim East, power relates to the ideologies and practices that shape the management of the body, influencing how spiritual and political authorities are depicted and legitimized within the community.
2) Spiritual:
The spiritual aspect of the body examines how bodily practices contribute to individual devotion and communal worship, emphasizing its role as an interface between the human experience and the divine, as well as its importance in various religious rituals.
3) Religion:
Religion in this context is explored not just as a set of beliefs but as a practice that directly influences bodily experiences and cultural norms, where the body becomes integral to ritualistic functions and social interactions within the Muslim East.
4) Book:
The book serves as a multidisciplinary exploration of historical, anthropological, and religious analyses on how the body is perceived, treated, and represented within various Muslim cultures, offering insight into the richness of its lived experiences.
5) Marriage:
Marriage is portrayed as more than a social contract; within the discussed cosmologies, it is significant for its spiritual implications and the body’s role in fulfilling life cycles and social connections, as outlined by the authors.
6) Sunna:
Sunna refers to the practices and norms derived from the life of the Prophet Muhammad, where bodily etiquette is crucial in guiding the daily lives and spiritual practices of Muslims, illustrating how gestures and actions are framed within religious devotion.
7) Space:
The concept of space in relation to the body encompasses both physical and metaphysical realms, highlighting how bodies occupy and transform social landscapes through rituals and practices, as well as their connections to divine encounters.
8) Sexual intercourse:
Sexual intercourse is examined within the framework of its ritual significance, particularly in popular Islam, where it is imbued with cosmological meanings and serves as a space for sharing intimacy and strengthening social bonds.
9) Spiritual life:
Spiritual life is characterized as the ongoing pursuit of connection with the divine, where the body is seen as a crucial medium through which religious practices, ethics, and social interactions manifest.
10) Transformation (Transform, Transforming):
Transformation speaks to the evolving representations of the body influenced by modernity, reflecting changes in how physical forms are treated, perceived, and manipulated within cultural and religious contexts.
11) Experience:
Experience is central to understanding how individuals navigate their bodily existence within religious frameworks, confronting the complexities of normativity and lived realities that shape their identities and social positions.
12) Cosmology:
Cosmology in the context of the body delves into the underlying beliefs that define the relationship between bodily practices and the universe, exploring how these ideas inform religious rituals and communal experiences.
13) Existence:
Existence refers to the lived realities and practices of individuals in various Muslim societies, where the body is influential in shaping notions of identity, community, and spirituality.
14) Richness:
Richness describes the diverse perspectives and cultural narratives that emerge from studying the Muslim body, illustrating a multifaceted understanding of religious and social practices in the Muslim East.
15) Devotion (Devoted):
Devotion is highlighted as the expression of faith through bodily practices, wherein physical actions serve as manifestations of a believer's relationship with God amidst cultural and societal norms.
16) Obstacle:
The body can sometimes act as an obstacle in spiritual life, as its desires and needs may conflict with religious imperatives, creating a dynamic tension between worldly existence and spiritual aspirations.
17) Lineage:
Lineage relates to the body in terms of genealogical and social connections, exploring how bodily practices are tied to familial and communal identities within the broader context of Islamic culture.
18) Gesture:
Gesture encompasses the various bodily expressions associated with Muslim rituals and daily practices, as outlined in the Sunna, serving as a form of communication that embodies cultural and spiritual meaning.
19) Hygiene (Hygienic):
Hygiene is discussed in relation to modern reformist perspectives that redefine concepts of purity and cleanliness, evolving from traditional norms and influencing societal conduct about the body.
20) Nature:
Nature refers to the intrinsic qualities of the body as understood through both Islamic teachings and individual practices, shaping how spirituality, health, and the divine are perceived.
21) Sex (Sexual):
Sexual aspects of the body are integral to discussions surrounding marriage, intimacy, and societal roles, exploring how these dimensions intersect with religious beliefs and practices.
22) Egypt:
Egypt is highlighted as a significant geographic and cultural context where specific practices and interpretations of the body inform local religious experiences and community dynamics.
23) Death:
Death is explored in relation to bodily experiences surrounding funerary practices and the societal meanings attributed to the body after life, enriching the discourse on spirituality and existence.
24) Birth:
Birth represents the beginning of the life cycle, where bodily practices surrounding childbirth are significant for religious significance and communal identity within Muslim contexts.
25) Cycle:
Cycle pertains to the various life stages represented through bodily rites and practices, highlighting the connection between physical existence and spiritual or cultural interpretations.
26) Human:
Humanity encompasses the shared existence of individuals within Muslim cultures, offering insights into how bodily experiences inform social structures and religious obligations.
27) Pari:
[see source text or glossary: #Pari#]
28) Dead:
Dead bodies evoke complex cultural and religious responses that shape practices of mourning and remembrance, illustrating the significance of the body even after life has ceased.