A Study Of Islamic Studies In Henan In The Qing Dynasty

The Islamic Scriptural Studies refers to the religious researches and practices concerning the Islamic heritage and progress, which was developed under the influence of the Religious Education movement. The study covers the fundamental Scriptural learning, the interpretations of Islamic doctrines, the training of educated personnel, the discussion on Islamic theology, and so on and relevant and derivative studies on educational system, religious practices, and textual creations, etc.This thesis explores several topics related to the Islamic Scriptural Studies in Henan province during the Qing dynasty, which was completed based on rich classical literature, local historical books, tomb tablets, field researches, and published results with the basis of the theories of anthropological, historical and religious studies.The thesis is framed with six chapters.Chapter I is the preface, giving the rationale, the subject, definitions, review of literature, research methodology, research conditions, and creative points. Chapter II discusses the Islamic Studies during the Ming and the Qing dynasties in Henan, covering five sub-topics such as the Islamic progress in the province, two issues of the early Scriptural Studies, the contest of ritual manners, Islamic masters and centers, and classical books of Scriptural Studies. Chapter III is entitled Imam She Yunshan and His influence upon Henan. It first introduces the biography of Imam She, then explores the different schools of Islamic Scriptural Studies in Henan initiated from She, the influence of She’s religious reformation upon Henan, and the heritage of She’s thoughts. Chapter IV mainly discusses about two issues during the Yongzheng and Jiaqing eras of the Qing dynasty:the Sufist spread in Henan and the Old and the New Islamic Sects. Chapter V comes to the Scriptural Studies in the late Qing dynasty in the province also concerning two sub-topics; they are Islamic masters in the late Qing and their activities and the serious issues related to the Scriptural Studies during the period. Chapter VI is my conclusion.The researches on the Islamic Scriptural Studies still remain weak. This thesis writer hopes to fill in some blanks in such a research field. Henan is located in Central China and was influenced with two schools, that is, the Shaanxi school and the Shandong school, but with unique tradition of Scriptural Studies. Such a research is helpful to know the features of Henan Islam, thus pushing the progress of academic field to pay more attention to Scriptural Studies in China.