Law and Power in the Islamic World: v. 34 (Library of Modern Middle East Studies) - Hardcover

Zubaida, Sami

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1860648657 ISBN 13: 9781860648656

Publisher: I.B. Tauris, 2003

Synopsis

Islamic law (the Shari'a) and its application is a central issue in contemporary Islamic politics and culture. Starting from modern concerns, this book examines the origins and evolution of the Shari'a and the corpus of texts, concepts and practices in which it has been enshrined. The central paradox in this history is one of power: the Shari'a is jurist's law, theoretically derived from sacred sources, yet dependent for its institution and application on rulers, with their own agendas and priorities. Sami Zubaida here considers key historical episodes of political accommodations and contests between scholars and sultans. Drawing on modern examples, mainly from Egypt and Iran, Zubaida explores how the Shari'a has evolved and mutated to accommodate the workings of a modern state by examining the reforms of the 19th and 20th centuries and the politics of the contemporary world. Law and Power in the Islamic World is an original and significant contribution to the debates surrounding Islam and ideas of modernity. As such its appeal and importance range across a wide spectrum of readers, students and scholars interested in Islamic law and the politics and social structures of the Muslim world.

About this title

About the Author

Sami Zubaida is Reader of Politics and Sociology at Birkbeck College, University of London and a specialist in the religion, culture and politics of the Middle East. He is the author of Islam, the People and the State and co-editor of A Taste of Thyme: the Culinary Cultures of the Middle East (both I.B. Tauris).

Edition details

• Publisher: I.B. Tauris
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1860648657
• ISBN 13: 9781860648656
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256