The Rise of Imperialism and the German Jewish Engagement in Islamic Studies

A Study on the Historical Foundations of Jewish Orientalism: Ignaz Goldziher Example

“…While most Christian orientalists turn onto Sanskrit and Persian studies, German Jewish orientalists concentrated on Arabic and Islamic Studies until the beginning of the twentieth century. 64 Various intellectual, religious and political factors have been influential in the Jewish orientation to Islamic Studies.…”

“…According to Cohen, the relationship between Judaism and Islam can be explained by the kinship that exists between the mother and daughter religion. 73 Jewish Orientalists stated that nothing Islamic is foreign to them. 74 The reason why the Jewish underline this similarity to Islam in terms of monotheism is that, they want to marginalize Christianity as a myth by emphasising the rational identities of Judaism and Islam.…”

“…74 The reason why the Jewish underline this similarity to Islam in terms of monotheism is that, they want to marginalize Christianity as a myth by emphasising the rational identities of Judaism and Islam. 75 Maimonides (601-1204), among Medieval Jewish authors, stated on theoretical justifications that Islam and Judaism were closer to each other than to Christianity. They stated that it would be better for a Jew to suffer torture and death rather than pronouncing a Christian creed, but he may convert to Islam in order to survive.…”

“…144It is pointed out that Goldziher's statements about Islam are too positive to be heard from a Jewish Orientalist. 145 Raphael Patai, who translated Goldziher's diary into English, says that his sympathy with Islam is a result of his sentimentality. 146 When we consider the fact that Goldziher noted these opinions into his diary sixteen years later than his return from Islamic countries, 147 we can say that this period of time indicates that Goldziher's feelings about Islam were not momentary, however they show a matured characteristic.…”

“…(What has Muhammad borrowed from Judaism?)". 24 Geiger's application of historical-critical method to Islam was due to his Jewish origin. 25 The reason why Jewish Orientalists were used in Islamic Studies was that, thanks to their closeness to Islam, Jews could easily notice the similarities that Christian Orientalists could not detect.…”