Items related to Heaven on Earth: A Journey Through Shari‘a Law
Almost 1400 years after the Prophet Muhammad first articulated God's law - the sharia - its earthly interpreters are still arguing over what it means. Hardliners reduce it to amputations, veiling, holy war and stonings. Others say that it is humanity's only guarantee of a just society. In "Heaven on Earth", Sadakat Kadri, a London-based criminal barrister and prize-winning writer, sets out to see who is right. Travelling the Islamic world, he encounters a cacophony of legal claims. At the ancient Indian grave of his Sufi ancestor, unruly jinns are exorcised in the name of the sharia. In Pakistan's madrasas, stern scholars ridicule his talk of human rights and demand explanations for NATO drone attacks in Afghanistan. In Iran, he hears that God is forgiving enough to subsidise sex-change operations - but requires the execution of Muslims who change religion. All Muslims are guided by the sharia - whatever their interpretation of it - and the stories of compulsion and violence are just part of a much bigger picture. Many of Islam's first judges refused even to decide cases for fear that a mistake would damn them, and scholars from Delhi to Cairo maintain that governments have no business enforcing faith. In this illuminating and important book, Sadakat Kadri draws on Islam's past and present to show us why. The promise of a perfect social order can be compelling. But reality will always intrude. And when human beings attempt to apply divine justice, they risk creating not a heaven on earth - but something much closer to hell.
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Review:
"A thoughtful "journey through Sharia Law", which takes an overdue look at "one of the most disputed but least understated controversies of modern times"." -- Katy Guest Independent on Sunday "[An] erudite and instructive book... Captivating." -- Ziauddin Sardar The Times "Intellectually nimble and rigorously researched ... admirably clear-eyed ... Kadri is a precise and stylish writer, as good at explicating abstruse arguments as he is at conjuring vivid scenes ... this brave and sane book could not be more timely." -- Stuart Kelly Scotsman "[A] fascinating journey ... skilfully weaves history with travelogue to guide the reader through this most contentious and topical of territory ... Kadri approaches his themes with unstinting humanity and intelligence, as well as great fluency." -- James Mather Spectator "Fascinating and funny." -- Mohammed Hanif The News (Pakistan)
Book Description:
A timely and eye-opening investigation into one of the most disputed but least understood topics of recent times - the history and reality of shari'a law.
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- PublisherBodley Head
- Publication date2012
- ISBN 10 1847920179
- ISBN 13 9781847920171
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages352
- Rating
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Heaven on Earth : A Journey Through Shari?a Law
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Penguin Random House
(2012)
ISBN 10: 1847920179
ISBN 13: 9781847920171
Used
Softcover
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Book Description Condition: Very Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # GRP84588103
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Heaven on Earth : A Journey Through Shari'a Law
Published by
Bodley Head
(2011)
ISBN 10: 1847920179
ISBN 13: 9781847920171
Used
Paperback / softback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback / softback. Almost 1400 years after the Prophet Muhammad first articulated God’s law – the sharia – its earthly interpreters are still arguing over what it means. Hardliners reduce it to amputations, veiling, holy war and stonings. Others say that it is humanity’s only guarantee of a just society. In Heaven on Earth, Sadakat Kadri, a London-based criminal barrister and prize-winning writer, sets out to see who is right. Travelling the Islamic world, he encounters a cacophony of legal claims. At the ancient Indian grave of his Sufi ancestor, unruly jinns are exorcised in the name of the sharia. In Pakistan’s madrasas, stern scholars ridicule his talk of human rights and demand explanations for NATO drone attacks in Afghanistan. In Iran, he hears that God is forgiving enough to subsidise sex-change operations – but requires the execution of Muslims who change religion. All Muslims are guided by the sharia – whatever their interpretation of it – and the stories of compulsion and violence are just part of a much bigger picture. Many of Islam’s first judges refused even to decide cases for fear that a mistake would damn them, and scholars from Delhi to Cairo maintain that governments have no business enforcing faith. In this illuminating and important book, Sadakat Kadri draws on Islam’s past and present to show us why. The promise of a perfect social order can be compelling. But reality has a habit of breaking in. When human beings attempt to apply divine justice, they risk creating not a heaven on earth – but something much closer to a hell. 2011. A trade paperback copy in near fine, unmarked condition. Seller Inventory # 7759726
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