“The most important of all things sought.” Thus the Syriac Orthodox monk Rabban Daniel Ibn al-Ḥaṭṭāb describes the subject of The Principles of Religion, written in the 13th century, probably in South-East Anatolia. In this treatise, Rabban Daniel Ibn al-Ḥaṭṭāb systematically explained and defended fundamental commitments of Syriac Orthodox theology.
This volume provides an introduction, a critical edition of the Arabic text, an English translation, and extensive commentary on the influences on The Principles of Religion, particularly from Syriac sources. This editio princeps offers the reader a new window into the literary culture of the Syriac Orthodox Church during the years of the Syriac Renaissance.
Simon Luke Robinson Burke, PhD, studied Arabic, Classical Hebrew, and Syriac at the University of Sydney. He has published works relating to Syriac Studies.
Acknowledgements Abbreviations Preface
1 Introduction
1.1 The Origin of The Principles of Religion
1.2 The Life of Daniel b. al-Ḥaṭṭāb
1.3 Historical Context
1.4 The Literary Output of Daniel b. al-Ḥaṭṭāb
2 Description of the Principles of Religion
2.1 Title
2.2 Purpose
2.3 Form
2.4 Sources
3 Synopsis of the Work
4 Manuscripts of the Work
4.1 Sigla of Manuscripts
4.2 Description of Manuscripts Used in the Critical Edition
4.3 Relationships between Manuscripts of the Work
4.4 Method of the Edition
4.5 Language of the Manuscripts
5/6 Text and Translation
5/6.0 Representation of Manuscript Readings in the Critical Edition
[.1 Preface]
[.2 First Chapter]
[.3 Second Chapter]
[.4 Third Chapter]
[.5 Fourth Chapter]
[.6 Fifth Chapter]
[.7 Sixth Chapter]
[.8 Seventh Chapter]
[.9 Eighth Chapter]
[.10 Ninth Chapter]
[.11 Tenth Chapter]
[.12 Eleventh Chapter]
[.13 Twelfth Chapter]
[.14 Thirteenth Chapter]
[.15 Fourteenth Chapter]
[.16 First Procedure]
[.17 Second Procedure]
[.18 Third Procedure]
[.19 Chapter on the Demonstration of the Real and Unreal Passions]
[.20 Chapter in Reply Against the Muslims’ Denial of the Crucifixion, Death, and Burial of the Messiah]
[.21 Chapter on the Establishment of Proof for the Belief of Christians]
[.22 Chapter on Problems and Issues]
Commentary on the Work
.1 Purpose of the Commentary
.2 Preface
.3 First Chapter
.4 Second Chapter
.5 Third Chapter
.6 Fourth Chapter
.7 Fifth Chapter
.8 Sixth Chapter
.9 Seventh Chapter
.10 Eighth Chapter
.11 Ninth Chapter
.12 Tenth Chapter
.13 Eleventh Chapter
.14 Twelfth Chapter
.15 Thirteenth Chapter
.16 Fourteenth Chapter
.17 First Procedure
.18 Second Procedure
.19 Third Procedure
.20 Chapter on the Demonstration of the Real and Unreal Passions
.21 Chapter in Reply Against the Muslims’ Denial of the Crucifixion, Death, and Burial of the Messiah
.22 Chapter on the Establishment of Proof for the Belief of Christians
.23 Chapter on Problems and Issues
Conclusions
Bibliography Index
This volume may be of interest to scholars of Oriental Orthodoxy, religious studies, Middle Arabic, Syriac literary culture, theology, Christian-Muslim relations, and to non-specialists interested in Syriac Orthodox traditions.