Ibn Kammuna's Examination of the Three Faiths

A Thirteenth-Century Essay in the Comparative Study of Religion

Moshe Perlmann

• Publisher: University of California Press
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9780520347113
• eBook ISBN: 9780520347120
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Philosophy
• Subtopic: Comparative Religion

Ibn Kammuna's Examination of the Three Faiths: A Thirteenth-Century Essay in the Comparative Study of Religion offers a rare glimpse into the philosophical and theological debates of medieval Baghdad, where Judaism, Christianity, and Islam intersected intellectually and culturally. Written by Sa'd Ibn Mansur Ibn Kammuna, a Jewish philosopher, physician, and scholar, this 1280 work systematically examines the principles and arguments of the three monotheistic faiths—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—through the lens of rational inquiry and philosophical skepticism. With a focus on the nature of prophecy, the authenticity of sacred texts, and the societal roles of religion, Ibn Kammuna presents a balanced yet critical analysis, allocating the most extensive treatment to Islam, the majority faith of his milieu. His approach demonstrates remarkable objectivity, emphasizing shared human experiences while scrutinizing doctrinal claims and logical inconsistencies across all three faiths.

Ibn Kammuna's work, though scholarly and detached in tone, provoked considerable controversy, particularly for its critique of Islam, which led to mob violence against him and forced his exile to Hilla. Despite its contentious reception, the Examination stands as a testament to medieval rationalism and interfaith discourse. It reflects Ibn Kammuna's deist leanings and his pursuit of a universal understanding of faiths, stripping away parochial biases to highlight the humanizing and social functions of religion. His methodology—drawing from Jewish, Christian, and Islamic sources, including figures like Maimonides, Avicenna, and Ghazali—showcases an intellectual bridge between diverse traditions. Ultimately, the Examination not only challenges dogmatic perspectives but also anticipates Enlightenment-era values of tolerance, critical thought, and the search for common ground in humanity's spiritual aspirations.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1971.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• CONTENT
• Translator’s Note
• Abbreviations
• Introduction
• CHAPTER 1 On the true nature of prophethood: its varieties, the proof of its existence, its advantages, and other matters pertaining thereto.
• CHAPTER 249 Discussing briefly the proof of the Jews for the prophethood of Moses; the principles of the laws which he laid down for the Jews, as reported by them; questions and answers pertaining thereto.
• CHAPTER 3 On the belief of the Christians in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is Jesus the son of Mary, peace be upon them; his message; in what manner he is, according to them, both prophet and deity; opinions and counter-opinions therewith connected.
• CHAPTER 4 On the creed of the Muslims: concerning the prophethood of Muhammad, his miracles, the principles of his faith; on their opponents’ inquiries in these matters; and a right course in reply to these inquiries.
• Index