This is a study of madness in the medieval Islamic world. Using a wide variety of sources from history, literature, and art, the book explores beliefs about madness in Islamic society and examines attitudes towards individuals afflicted by mental illness or disability. The book demonstrates the links between Christian and Muslim medical beliefs and practices, and traces the influence of certain Christian beliefs, such as miracle working, on Islamic practices. It analyses the notions of the romantic fool, the wise fool, and the holy fool in medieval Islam within the framework of perceptions of ... More

This is a study of madness in the medieval Islamic world. Using a wide variety of sources from history, literature, and art, the book explores beliefs about madness in Islamic society and examines attitudes towards individuals afflicted by mental illness or disability. The book demonstrates the links between Christian and Muslim medical beliefs and practices, and traces the influence of certain Christian beliefs, such as miracle working, on Islamic practices. It analyses the notions of the romantic fool, the wise fool, and the holy fool in medieval Islam within the framework of perceptions of mental illness, and shows that the madman was not regarded as a pariah, an outcast, or a scapegoat. This book's examination of magic, medicine, and religion helps to open up our understanding of medieval Islamic society.