Monographic lecture 3600-7-SI4-WM(L)

Sinophone Islam. A History.

Introduction

The history of Islam in China, one of the largest Muslim populations outside the Middle East, has long been characterized by a unique synthesis of Islamic teachings with Chinese cultural, intellectual, and linguistic traditions. The growth and development of Islam in China is not merely a reflection of the arrival of foreign religion, but also an instance of a process of cultural adaptation and synthesis, where Islamic practices and beliefs have been reinterpreted and reshaped within the context of Chinese civilization. This course, The History of Sinophone Islam, seeks to explore this process primarily through the medium of Sinophone Muslim literature – texts written in Chinese by Muslim authors, which have served as both vehicles for the expression of Islamic thought and as instruments of cultural negotiation.

Main Objective

The principal goal of this course is to introduce students to the wealth of Sinophone Muslim literature and demonstrate how Islam has adapted to Chinese cultural and linguistic contexts, creating a distinct body of theological, philosophical, legal, and literary texts. By examining a variety of works, students will gain insight into how Chinese Muslims have interacted with and contributed to the broader Muslim world, while simultaneously maintaining a distinctive cultural and linguistic identity within China.

Course Goals

Introduction to Sinophone Islamic Sources: The course will begin by examining early references to Islam in Chinese texts, progressing to a study of key works of Sinophone Muslim literature from the medieval to the modern period. We will explore the evolution of these texts, their cultural and historical contexts, and how they reflect both the spread of Islam and its accommodation within China.

Han Kitab Tradition: A major focus of the course will be the Han Kitab, a body of Muslim theological and philosophical works written in Chinese. These texts represent a unique fusion of Islamic principles with Chinese intellectual traditions, especially Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Through careful analysis, students will explore how Han Kitab authors navigated the complex task of interpreting Islamic ideas using Chinese philosophical and religious terminology, and how this influenced both the development of Islamic thought in China and the broader Muslim world.

Islamic Law in the Chinese Context: Another critical area of the course is the study of Chinese-language texts related to Islamic law (Sharia). Students will examine legal treatises and commentaries that discuss the application of Islamic legal principles in a Chinese context. This will include a discussion of the role of Islamic law in shaping religious practices and communal life in China, particularly in relation to issues such as marriage, inheritance, and religious observance.

Jingtang Jiaoyu and Religious Education: The jingtang jiaoyu, or "scriptural education," was a key element of religious life in the Muslim communities of China. The course will analyze how this system of religious education contributed to the development of Sinophone Muslim literature, influencing the production of texts and fostering a distinct religious intellectual tradition within Chinese Islam.

Modern Press and Literature: As Islam in China entered the modern period, new forms of expression emerged. The 20th and 21st centuries saw the rise of press, literature, and essays in which Muslim intellectuals reflected on the intersection of Islamic faith, Chinese national identity, and modernity. The course will examine how Sinophone Muslim authors have engaged with issues of identity, nationalism, and modernity, and how they have navigated the complexities of being Muslim in a rapidly changing China.

Contemporary Sinophone Muslim Literature: The course will conclude with a study of contemporary Sinophone Muslim literature, including essays, journalism, and fiction, exploring how modern Muslim writers in China address issues of religious identity, social justice, and the relationship between the Islamic world and China. Special attention will be given to how these writers contribute to ongoing debates about the role of Islam in Chinese society and the role of Chinese Muslims in the broader Muslim world.

Course Structure and Content

This course will be taught through a series of 15 lectures, each focusing on a specific theme or period in the history of Sinophone Islam. The lectures will be supplemented by readings from key primary and secondary sources, including both translated works and original Chinese texts (for students who have a background in Chinese).

Introduction to Islam in China: History and Context

Overview of the history of Islam in China, including the arrival of Islam through trade routes, the Mongol period, and the growth of Muslim communities in different regions of China, particularly in the Northwest and Xinjiang.
Early Sinophone Islamic Texts and the Birth of a Tradition

Examination of the earliest Chinese-language texts related to Islam, including translations of the Quran and Hadith, and early Chinese Muslim contributions to Islamic scholarship.
Han Kitab: The Fusion of Islamic and Chinese Thought

In-depth study of the Han Kitab tradition, focusing on key works and authors such as Wang Daiyu, Ma Zhu and Liu Zhi, and how they integrated Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist concepts into Islamic theology.
Theological and Philosophical Foundations of Sinophone Islam

A deeper exploration of the theological and philosophical themes in Sinophone Islamic texts, including discussions on God, the nature of the soul, and the afterlife, as well as Islamic cosmology and ethics.
Islamic Law in China: The Role of Sharia

Study of legal texts and commentaries that discuss the application of Islamic law in China, with a focus on family law, inheritance, and religious obligations.
Jingtang Jiaoyu: Religious Education and Literary Production

Exploration of the jingtang jiaoyu system and its influence on the production of Sinophone Islamic literature, including religious manuals, treatises, and poetry.
The Role of Islamic Sufism in Sinophone Islam

Discussion of the influence of Sufism in China, particularly in the northwest, and its impact on the development of Sinophone Islamic thought.
Islam in Qing China: Challenges and Adaptations

Examination of the Qing dynasty’s policies toward Muslims and the ways in which Sinophone Muslim communities adapted to political, social, and cultural changes.
Modernization and Reform: Islam in 19th and 20th Century China

Analysis of the modern challenges facing Muslims in China, including the rise of reformist movements, the influence of Western thought, and the encounter with Chinese nationalism.
Sinophone Muslim Intellectuals in the Early 20th Century

Study of key figures such as Jin Jitang and Wang Jingzhai, who wrote on Islamic identity, religious reform, and modernity during the early Republican period.
The Impact of the Chinese Revolution on Islam
Exploration of how the Communist revolution in China affected Muslim communities, their religious practices, and their interactions with the state.
Islam and Nationalism in Contemporary China
Discussion of how Sinophone Muslim writers and intellectuals navigate the tensions between Islamic identity and Chinese nationalism, particularly in the context of the rise of Islamic fundamentalism globally.
The Role of the Internet and Social Media in Sinophone Islam
Analysis of how contemporary Sinophone Muslim writers use digital platforms to engage with issues of identity, religion, and politics, and their role in the global Muslim ummah.
Contemporary Issues in Sinophone Muslim Literature
Examination of recent works of fiction, poetry, and essays that address issues such as religious freedom, gender, and social justice in China’s Muslim communities.
Conclusion: Sinophone Islam and Its Future
Final discussion on the future of Sinophone Islam, considering the evolving relationship between Muslims and the Chinese state, and the role of Sinophone Muslim literature in shaping that future.
Course Methods

This course will employ a range of teaching methods, including:

Lectures: The main form of teaching, providing a comprehensive overview of the topics discussed.
Textual Analysis: Students will be required to read and analyze both primary texts (translated and in the original) and secondary literature on Sinophone Islam.
Group Discussions: Students will engage in discussions on the themes and issues raised in the lectures, encouraging critical thinking and the exchange of ideas.
Case Studies: In-depth analysis of key texts and authors from the Sinophone Muslim tradition.
Assessment

Students will be assessed based on the following:

Written Final Exam (100%): A comprehensive exam covering the lectures and readings. The exam will include both multiple-choice and essay questions, allowing students to demonstrate their understanding of the course material.
Target Audience

This course is primarily designed for students of sinology, religious studies, and Islamic studies, but it is also open to anyone interested in the intersection of Islam, Chinese culture, and literature. The course is ideal for those with a particular interest in the role of religion in non-Arab contexts and the development of Islamic intellectual traditions in East Asia.

Conclusion

The History of Sinophone Islam offers students a deep dive into the unique world of Chinese Islam through its rich literary tradition. By studying the texts that have shaped Sinophone Islamic thought, students will gain a better understanding of how Islam has been integrated into Chinese culture and the ways in which Chinese Muslims have expressed their religious, intellectual, and cultural identities.