Louis Massignon (1883–1962) as a Student of Islam

Abstract

Since Massignon's death in 1962, some twenty-five volumes and innumerable articles have appeared about Louis Massignon's work and life. In addition to his biography and the context in which he lived, much attention has been given to his spirituality that constituted the background of his life and work and has had a fascination for his followers. Scholars have used Massignon's studies and presentation of al-Hallaj and Islamic mysticism in general to pursue research in this difficult area of Islamic Studies. Massignon's personal vision of Islam and of the relations between Christians and Muslims as they are and as they ought to be have both in spired and irritated numerous people. He was dedicated to cre ating new kinds of attitudes of Christians toward Muslims and new kinds of relations between both groups of believers, on the basis of what must be recognized as a singular personal vocation. These efforts have extended not only to the official teachings about Islam as promulgated by the Vatican and current in the Catholic Church at the time, but also to French colonial and foreign policy up to the highest levels. I had the privilege to meet Louis Massignon somewhat regu larly during the last six years of his life (1956-62) in connection with my doctoral dissertation on some Orientalists' views of Islam as a religion. In this essay I would like to present his work in the context of Islamic Studies. I first give some bio-biographical data on Massignon. In the second part I discuss the way he studied Islam as a religion. To understand his scholarly approach, we have to explore its underlying intentions and the scholar's par ticular vision of Islam and Muslims. The third part deals with the