Review by Choice Review
Hacking can refer to unauthorized intrusion or overcoming a problem. Those who grasp the latter meaning will understand this to be a study of how Islamic law, contrary to many stereotypes, is, and always has been, amenable to alteration. In a book aimed mainly at fellow Muslims, Ahmed (Univ. of British Columbia, Canada) suggests that more efficient solutions can recapture the ability of Islamic law to adapt to contemporary needs. He speaks of patching (accommodating) and hacking (revising) as vehicles through which temporary and long-lasting applications can be made to a variety of domestic, commercial, and criminal proceedings. Although the author discusses by whom and when such interventions may be made, he does not credit the personal connections that make a commentator credible, nor does he refer to the role of court personnel in the law. Written in a clear, if overly chatty, manner, many of the arguments remain imprecise and idealistic. As one trained in Islamic academies, Ahmed offers valuable experience, but readers will need to consult other works to fully understand the subject. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students through professionals.--Lawrence Rosen, emeritus, Princeton University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
Sharia law is sometimes portrayed as more relevant in seventh-century Arabia, though Islamic fundamentalists insist on imposing it globally today. This book tries to show that Sharia is rooted in a tradition but dynamic enough to adapt to changing times. Tradition by its very nature needs to be grounded in either timeless wisdom or in past practices; otherwise, it loses the essence of being traditional. To be relevant, however, it needs to be able to address contemporary issues. This work reviews the mechanisms that the ulema (Islamic scholars) use to make Sharia relevant today. It encourages believers to understand those mechanisms and get involved by being part of the process, even challenging laws they feel are unjust. It uses hacking to designate discursive mechanisms that facilitate reformulating Sharia to keep pace with modernity while retaining traditional Islamic foundations. Following the nuanced discussion is not always easy, but nevertheless, this is an excellent reference for those interested in having a cogent discussion on the application of Sharia in contemporary society.--Hassanali, Muhammed Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this well-reasoned book, Ahmed (Narratives of Islamic Legal Theory) argues that Islamic law can be made more modern to address contemporary concerns. Ahmed suggests that Muslims need to "challenge common assumptions about Islam" to adapt Islamic law to the challenges of 21st-century life. For Ahmed, "hacking" is about revitalizing Islamic law and restoring its inherently innovative nature. He wants to do this by empowering Muslims to work within the system to improve it. Ahmed shares examples throughout history of how hacking Islamic law has helped free slaves, revolutionize financial relationships, broaden women's rights, and make Muslims stand out in the "selfie-culture" that has developed over the past decade. He coaches readers to plug into online Koran chat rooms and mailing lists to reread and freshly apply verses about women and the family in ways that are both faithful to the text and liberating for Muslimahs. Though lay readers may have difficulty following more nuanced discussions, they will still come away with an understanding of the traditional mechanics of interpreting and applying Islamic laws. Ahmed's in-depth book demonstrates how flexible Islamic law can be as it evolves to tackle the issues of 21st-century life and will appeal to lay readers interested in the textual origins of popularly held beliefs about the Koran. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Choice Review
Review by Booklist Review
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
