David Cook

David Cook is a Professor of Religion at Rice University, specializing in early Islamic history, Muslim apocalyptic literature, and West African Islam. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (2002), with earlier degrees from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (B.A./M.A.). His research focuses on apocalyptic movements, radical Islam, historical astronomy, and Judeo-Arabic literature. He co-edits the Edinburgh University Press series on Islamic Apocalyptic and Eschatology and collaborates on studies of Boko Haram’s ideology with students Abdul Basit Kassem and Michael Nwankpa. Recent projects include translating classical texts like Nu`aym b. Hammad’s Kitab al-fitan.

His publications include Understanding Jihad (2015, 2nd ed.), Martyrdom in Islam (2007), and forthcoming works on Nigerian Islamic State propaganda. He has also contributed to interdisciplinary studies on healthcare practices during pandemics and surgical outcomes, reflecting his diverse academic interests.

Research collaborations involve analyzing apocalyptic texts and modern radical movements, supported by grants and editorial roles. His educational background in both religious studies and historical analysis underpins his multidisciplinary approach to religious and sociopolitical phenomena.