Legal Authority in Premodern Islam ─ Yahya B. Sharaf Al-Nawawi in the Shafi'i School of Law

"Offering a detailed analysis of the structure of authority in Islamic law, this book focuses on the figure of Yaohya Sharaf al-Nawawai who is regarded as the chief contributor to the legal tradition known as the Shi°ai madhhab in traditional Muslim sources, named after Muohammad b. Idrais al-Shaafi°ai d. 204/820), the supposed founder of the school of law. Al-Nawawai's legal authority is situated in a context where Muslims demanded to stabilize legal disposition that is consistent with the authority of the madhhab, since in premodern Islamic society, the ruling powers did not produce or promulgate law, as was the case in other, monarchic civilizations. Al-Nawawai's place in the long-term formation of the madhhab is significant for many reasons but for one in particular: his effort in reconciling the two major interpretive communities among the Shafiiites, i.e., the otaraiqas of the Iraqians and Khurasanians. This book revisits the history of the Shaafai°ai school in the pre-Nawawic era and explores its later development in the post-Nawawic period. Presenting a comprehensive picture of the structure of authority in Islamic law, specifically within the Shafi'ite legal tradition, this book is an essential resource for students and scholars of Islamic Studies, History and Law"--

Fachrizal Halim is Visiting Fellow, Harvard Law School, Harvard University