Law and Power in the Islamic World

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 sacre...