Islam and Literalism: Literal Meaning and Interpretation in Islamic Legal Theory

by Robert Gleave

Overview

In this reading of Islamic legal hermeneutics, Robert Gleave explores various competing notions of literal meaning, linked to both theological doctrine and historical developments, together with insights from modern semantic and pragmatic philosophers.

Literal meaning is what a text means in itself, regardless of what its author intends to convey or the reader understands to be its message. As Islamic law is based on the central texts of Islam, the idea of a literal meaning that rules over human attempts to understand God's message has resulted in a series of debates amongst modern Muslim legal theorists.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780748625703
Publisher:	Edinburgh University Press
Publication date:	07/26/2012
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.40(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Robert Gleave is Professor of Arabic Studies at the University of Exeter.

He is author of Inevitable Doubt: Two Theories of Shi'i Jurisprudence (E. J. Brill, 2000) and editor of Religion and Society in Qajar Iran (Routledge, 2004) and co-editor (with E. Kermeli) of Islamic Law: Theory and Practice (I. B. Tauris, 1997; paperback edition 2000).

Table of Contents

Preface

1. Understanding Literal Meaning

2. Literal Meaning and Scriptural Exegesis

3. Literal Meaning In Early Muslim Thought

4. Literal Meaning in Early Muslim Jurisprudence

5. Literal Meaning in Sunni Jurisprudence

6. Legal Literalism and Early Zahiri Legal Thought

7. Literalism and Ibn Íazm's Legal Theory

8. Literal Meaning in Early Sectarian Legal Theory

9. Literal Meaning in Classical Imami Legal Theory

10. Literal Meaning in Modern Muslim Legal Theory

Conclusions

Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

"Listing hermeneutic nuances was helpful; specific Qur'anic examples were insightful. The bibliographic technique of key reference followed by full citation was innovative and useful. Lucidly written and well-researched, Islam and Literalism is an invaluable contribution. It is a must read for graduate students and scholars interested in usul al-fiqh." - Rolin Mainuddin, North Carolina Central University, Middle East Media and Book Reviews

"Gleave's close textual analysis, attention to nuance, and theoretical acumen allow for a robust debate about the nature of Islamic legal theory in light of literary theory with the potential to enrich both. This leads to the tantalizing prospect that usul al-fiqh might contribute something important and essential to modern literary theory. Gleave has elevated the discourse about usul al-fiqh, adding theoretical sophistication to studies within and, one hopes, beyond the genre." — Rumee Ahmed, Journal of the American Oriental Society

From the Publisher

Gleave’s close textual analysis, attention to nuance, and theoretical acumen allow for a robust debate about the nature of Islamic legal theory in light of literary theory with the potential to enrich both. This leads to the tantalizing prospect that uṣūl al-fiqh might contribute something important and essential to modern literary theory. Gleave has elevated the discourse about uṣūl al-fiqh, adding theoretical sophistication to studies within and, one hopes, beyond the genre.'

Journal of the American Oriental Society - Rumee Ahmed

Listing hermeneutic nuances was helpful; specific Qur’anic examples were insightful. The bibliographic technique of key reference followed by full citation was innovative and useful. Lucidly written and well-researched, Islam and Literalism is an invaluable contribution. It is a must read for graduate students and scholars interested in usul al-fiqh.

Middle East Media and Book Reviews - Rolin Mainuddin