The al-Ghazali Enigma and why Shari’a is not Islamic Law
by Haifaa G. Khalafallah
Hardback (Published)
(May 2017)
ISBN: 9781781792957
6.1 x 9.17 inches
Price: $100.00
In stock
This book offers a long-overdue intellectual biography of the late Egyptian Shaykh Mohammed al-Ghazali (d.1996). But its main purpose is to shed light on Shari’a, a highly politicized concern of our times. Instead of the standard accounts of Islam emphasizing ‘extremists,’ ‘traditionalists,’ ‘moderates,’ or ‘modernists,’ the book introduces a multi-layered approach to understanding the contours of Shari’a rulemaking. It highlights the technical and historical trajectory of this rulemaking process, thereby challenging the prevailing academic narrative as well as popular Muslim narratives. In using this contemporary influential Muslim scholar as a reference, the book assesses what so many Sunni Muslims see in Shari’a, at least in this Egyptian context, and how such devotion could hinder or promote genuine reform.
This book offers a long-overdue intellectual biography of the late Egyptian Shaykh Mohammed al-Ghazali (d.1996). But its main purpose is to shed light on Shari’a, a highly politicized concern of our times. Instead of the standard accounts of Islam emphasizing ‘extremists,’ ‘traditionalists,’ ‘moderates,’ or ‘modernists,’ the book introduces a multi-layered approach to understanding the contours of Shari’a rulemaking. It highlights the technical and historical trajectory of this rulemaking process, thereby challenging the prevailing academic narrative as well as popular Muslim narratives. In using this contemporary influential Muslim scholar as a reference, the book assesses what so many Sunni Muslims see in Shari’a, at least in this Egyptian context, and how such devotion could hinder or promote genuine reform.
Introduction: Shari'a, Ghazali and their Study Part I: Portraits from a Muslim Journey into the 20th Century Chapter 1:The Contexts: The Modern al-Ghazali and his World Chapter 2: The Texts: On the Shelves Chapter 3: Elusive Texts: Book of Tension Chapter 4: Untidy Texts: Ghazali vs Ghazali Chapter 5: Case of Women: Textualising Context Chapter 6: The Contents (Scripture): God and Women Leaders Part II: Shari'a Rulemaking Trajectory Chapter 7: Is Shari'a a Method? Is it a Law? Does it Matter? Chapter 8: Shari'a and Telling of the Muslim Story Epilogue: What's in a Historical Narrative?
- By (author) Haifaa G Khalafallah
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