This book examines how Islam is digitally mediated at a time of technological change, enhanced digital literacy and proactive engagement in Islamic online content by authorities and influencers.What is the impact of this on societies, believers and understandings of Islam? Islamic Algorithms provides a thorough exploration of Cyber Islamic Environments (CIEs) through representations of significant historical and religious influences across contexts and diversities. This ranges from jinn and angels through to contemporary influencers.Gary R. Bunt raises issues of how digital content is embedded in contemporary understandings of Islam and their dissemination. Bunt shows how the interpretation of pivotal figures in Islam – including Muhammad and his family, scholars and imams – can be informed by new generations of digital influences, such as apps and social networking, which have become primary sources of information for many Muslims globally.
Gary R. Bunt is Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, UK.
Acknowledgements Note on the TransliterationIntroduction: Into Muslim Metaverses1. Islamic Algorithms: Transmission, Influence, Design.2. Before Muhammad3. Muhammad and Digital Influence4. Cyber Representation: the Prophet’s Family, Proximity and Succession. 5. CIE Legal: Sunni Influences, Law and Authority 6. Ahl al-Bayt, Shi'ism, and Imamates in Cyberspace 7. Shi'ism, - Ayatollahs in Digital Zones 8. Sufi Pathways in a Muslim Metaverses 9. Media Offensive: Doomscrollers, Digital Content, Influencers and E-Jihad10. Processing Islam: Contemporary Influencers and Influencers in an Evolving Muslim Metaverses11. Islamic Algorithms and Meta Islamic FuturesNotesIndex
Overall, Islamic Algorithms: Online Influence in the Muslim Metaverse is crucial to contemporary Islamic studies. The book is highly recommended for researchers, academics, and practitioners interested in the interaction between technology and religion.
