The early Muslim tradition of dream interpretation / John C. Lamoreaux.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. From Anecdote to Formalism. Khallal and the History of Dream Interpretation. The Legacy of Ibn Sirin. Kirmani and the Beginnings of a Written Tradition of Dream Interpretation. The Dream Manual of Ibn Qutaybah. The Dream Manual of Sijistani -- 2. The Fracturing of the Tradition. Hunayn born Ishaq and the Arabic Version of Artemidorus. Qayrawani: A Shari'ah-Minded Interpreter of Dreams. The Dream Manual of the Litterateur Dinawari. Kharkushi: Sufism, Dream Interpretation, and Tradition. Ibn Sina: Philosophy, Dream Interpretation, and the Legacy of Hellenism -- 3. Homogeneity and Imitation. The Contours of the Early Muslim Oneirocritic Tradition. The Contents of the Early Muslim Oneirocritic Tradition -- 4. Dream Interpretation and Orthodoxy. Finding a Koranic Foundation for Dream Interpretation. Dream Interpretation and the Prophetic Traditions. Dream Manuals and Their Readers: The Case of Andalusia. The Diary of a Hanbali Interpreter of Dreams --

5. Dream Interpretation, Hellenism, and Non-Muslims. Dream Interpretation and the Christians of Late Antiquity. The Dream Manual of Ps. Achmet. Bar Bahlul's Book of Signs. App. Early Muslim Dream Manuals.

"Reportedly, the prophet Muhammad told his followers that after he was gone prophecy would come only through "true dreams." Based on this and other statements, early Muslims created what might be called a theology of dreams. Dreams were regarded as an important means used by God to guide the faithful, especially after the cessation of Koranic revelation.

He demonstrates that early Muslims considered dream interpretation a fully orthodox theological discipline, one sanctioned both by the Koran and the example of the prophet Muhammad."--BOOK JACKET.