First published in 1993. Published here for the first time in English, this highly important work by Henry Corbin, the Islamic scholar, philosopher and historian of religion, is a definitive interpretation of traditional Islamic philosophy from the beginning to the present day. In this authoritative volume, Corbin makes clear the great themes of the doctrinal and mystical vision of lslamic philosophy through a wealth of comparative parallels and in relation to the most profound currents of Western philosophy. In Part One, From the Beginning Down to the Death of Averroes, Corbin considers the Sourc­es of Philosophical Meditation in Islam; Shi ism and Prophetic Philosophy; the Sunni Kalam; Philosophy and the Natural Sciences; the Hellenizing Philosophers; Sufism; Al-Suhrawardi and the Philosophy of Light, and the Andalusian Tradition. In Part Two, From the Death of Averroes to the Present Day, he examines Sunni Thought, the Metaphysics of Sufism, and Shiite Thought. Corbin's History of Islamic Philosophy is both an inspirational book and an essential work of reference, enabling readers to discover themselves the richness of this body of thought.

After long periods spent in Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and above all in Iran, from 1954 until 1974 Henry Corbin held the position of directeur d'etudes at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (Ve section), being the successor of Louis Massignon. In Tehran, during these same years, he organised the Department oflranology of the Franco-Iranian Institute. There, he established and directed the Bibliotheque lranienne, an important collection of editions of original Persian and Arabic texts together with analytical studies. Henry Corbin died on 7 October 1978 at the age of 75. His many publications illustrate a life spent in studies of comparative philosophy and Islamic concepts.

PART ONE From the Beginning Down to the Death of Averrotss (595/1198) I. The Sources of Philosophical Meditation in Islam A. Twelver Shiism B. Ismailism I. FaPmid Ismailism II. The reformed Ismailism of Alamdt III. The Sunni Kallm IV. Philosophy and the Natural Sciences V. The Hellenizing Philosophers VI. Sufism VII. Al-Suhrawardi and the Philosophy of Light Vlll. In Andalusia PART1WO From the Death of Averroes to the Present Day- General Survey I. Sunni Thought II. The Metaphysics of Sufism III. Shiite Thought; Perspective