Law in Context: Modern Challenges to Islamic Law

The diversity of interpretation within Islamic legal traditions can be challenging for those working within this field of study. Using a distinctly contextual approach, this book addresses such challenges by combining theoretical perspectives on Islamic law with insight into how local understandings impact on the application of law in Muslim daily life. Engaging with topics as diverse as Islamic constitutionalism, Islamic finance, human rights and internet fatawa, Shaheen Sardar Ali provides an invaluable resource for scholars, students and practitioners alike by exploring exactly what constitutes Islamic law in the contemporary world. Useful examples, case studies, a glossary of terms and the author's personal reflections accompany traditional academic critique, and together offer the reader a unique and discerning discussion of Islamic law in practice.

Acknowledgements; Table of cases; Table of legislation; Glossary; Introduction; 1. The flowing stream; 2. An elephant in the room or needle in a haystack? Searching for 'Islamic' constitutionalism(s); 3. Contextualising family-law reform and plural legalities in postcolonial Pakistan; 4. In search of legitimacy: the dilemma of Islamic finance; 5. Muslim women's contributions to drafting CEDAW: an untold narrative; 6. CEDAW? What's that? 'Domesticating' 'international' women's human rights in Muslim jurisdictions: Reflections on Pakistan's engagement with CEDAW; 7. Between the devil and the deep blue sea: Sharia councils and Muslim women's rights in British Muslim diaspora; 8. Internet Fatawa: challenging tradition and modernity in women and gender issues; Concluding reflections; Reflecting at the Dihliz; Bibliography.