Download or read book Law and Power in the Islamic World written by Sami Zubaida and published by I.B. Tauris. This book was released on 2003-05-23 with total page 264 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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 sacred sources, yet dependent for its institution and application on rulers, with their own agendas and priorities. Sami Zubaida here considers key historical episodes of political accommodations and contests.