Authority, continuity, and change in Islamic law

Wael B. Hallaq0521803314, 9780521803311

In this path-breaking new book, the author shows how authority guaranteed both continuity and change in Islamic law. Hallaq demonstrates that it was the construction of the absolutist authority of the school founder, an image which he suggests was actually developed later in history, that maintained the foundations of school methodology and hermeneutics. The defense of that methodology gave rise to an infinite variety of individual legal opinions, ultimately accomodating changes in the law. Thus the author concludes that the mechanisms of change were embedded in the very structure of Islamic law, despite its essentially conservative nature.

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Table of contents :
Cover……Page 1
Half-title……Page 3
Title……Page 5
Copyright……Page 6
Dedication……Page 7
CONTENTS……Page 9
PREFACE……Page 11
I……Page 17
II……Page 18
III……Page 23
IV……Page 30
V……Page 33
I……Page 40
II……Page 41
III……Page 59
IV……Page 68
V……Page 70
I……Page 73
II……Page 77
III……Page 82
IV……Page 91
V……Page 101
I……Page 102
II……Page 104
III……Page 119
IV……Page 129
V……Page 135
I……Page 137
II……Page 141
III……Page 142
IV……Page 149
V……Page 162
VI……Page 168
Zahir……Page 169
Awjah ashbah, AND sawab……Page 170
Madhhab……Page 171
Mafti bi-hi, mamul bi-hi……Page 176
Mukhtar, ikhtiyar……Page 178
VII……Page 180
I……Page 182
II……Page 183
III……Page 190
IV……Page 196
V……Page 199
VI……Page 210
VII……Page 224
VIII……Page 229
IX……Page 249
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS……Page 252
Primary sources……Page 258
Secondary sources……Page 270
INDEX……Page 277