Islam, causality, and freedom

Overview of the book Islam, Causality, and Freedom - Ozgur Koca Koca's book is a serious and comprehensive study of the issue of causality as reflected in the writings of the most important figures in Islamic intellectual heritage. It is a significant addition to the research literature in this field and deserves widespread attention. - Sayyid Hussein Nasr, Professor Emeritus of Islamic Studies at George Washington University. Koca produced a remarkable work, one of the types of books expected from senior researchers at the peak of their careers. The breadth and depth of the study are impressive, yet the difficult concepts are presented clearly enough to make the book a suitable introductory text in the field. Koca deals with the central figures in Islamic philosophy and Islamic Kalam fairly and respectfully, highlighting their strengths. However, his greatest achievement is presenting an Islamic theory of causality that aligns with the demands of contemporary science and the reality of human free will. - Philip Clayton, Professor at Claremont School of Theology. This profound book is one of the most important studies in Islamic Kalam and philosophy published in the past decade. Focusing on some of the main Muslim scholars in the medieval and modern periods, the author analyzes contextual and participatory interpretations of causality and freedom in rational, Sunni, and Sufi Islamic thought. Notably, one of the most remarkable contributions of this book is its discussion of contemporary discourses on religion and science in relation to Islamic theories of causality. Certainly, this book is of great importance to all students of religion and philosophy, and reading it is obligatory for any serious scholar of Islamic thought. - Khaled Abu Al-Foul, ULCA School of Law.