In this volume the history of Islamic sects is analysed as a literary genus in its own right. It consists of three sections: the first deals with structural constants in the texts such as the arrangement, or the number and classification of the sects. The main section describes the most important works and authors from the 8th to the 19th century. Finally, the central concepts - religion, sects, orthodoxy, etc. - are considered and the historical background of the literary development examined in more detail. It turns out that the heresies were rather confessions which can be understood as proof of the pluralistic structure of the Islamic community.

Autorentext

Josef van Ess, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen.