Revision of author's thesis (doctoral)--Leiden University, 2008.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Ri�d�a's sources of knowledge of the West : with special reference to Christianity -- Ri�d�a Arab Christians : attitudes towards Syrian Christians and the Egyptian Coptic community -- Al-Man�ar versus evangelism : Rash�id Ri�d�a's perceptions of the social and theological aspects of missions -- False allegations or proofs? : Ri�d�a's formative polemics on Christianity -- In pursuit of a 'true' gospel : Ri�d�a's Arabic edition of the Gospel of Barnabas -- The art of polemics : Tawfiq �Sidq�i's contributions to al-Man�ar and Ri�d�a's use of them -- Recapitulation of ideas : Christianity as reflected in Ri�d�a's Fatw�as.

"No previous full-scale study has been undertaken so far to study the polemical writings of the Muslim reformist Mu�hammad Rash�id Ri�d�a (1865-1935) and his associates in his well-known journal al-Man�ar (The Lighthouse). The book focuses on the dynamics of Muslim understanding of Christianity during the late 19th and the early 20th century in the light of al-Man�ar's sources of knowledge, and its answers to the social, political and theological aspects of missionary movements in the Muslim World of Ri�d�a's age. The basis of the analysis encompasses the voluminous publications by Ri�d�a and other Man�arists in his journal. Besides, it makes use of newly-discovered materials, including Ri�d�a's private papers, and some other remaining personal archives of some of his associates."--T.p. verso.

Electronic reproduction. Palo Alto, Calif. : ebrary, 2013. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ebrary affiliated libraries.