Islamic law in action : authority, discretion, and everyday experiences in Mamluk Egypt / Kristen Stilt.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Stilt, Kristen.

Contributor:

George R. Fink Memorial Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Law--Egypt--History--To 1500.

Law.

Trade regulation--Egypt--History--To 1500.

Trade regulation.

Trade regulation (Islamic law)--Egypt--History--To 1500.

Trade regulation (Islamic law).

Muḥtasib--Egypt--History--To 1500.

Muḥtasib.

History.

Egypt--History--1250-1517.

Egypt.

Physical Description:

xii, 238 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2011.

Summary:

"A vibrant account of the practice of Islamic law, this book focuses on the actions of a particular legal official, the muhtasib, whose vast jurisdiction included all public behavior. In the cities of Cairo and neighboring Fustat during the Mamluk period (1250-1517), the muhtasib is best described as a regulator of markets and public spaces. They traversed the city carrying out their duties to forbid wrongful acts and require mandatory ones, and were as much a part of the legal landscape as the better-known figures of judge and mufti. Taking direction from the rulers, the sultan foremost among them, they were also guided by legal doctrine as formulated by the jurists, combining these two sources of law in one face of authority. The daily workings of law are illuminated by the reports of the muhtasib in the rich chronicles of the Mamluk period, which also record the responses of the individuals who encountered him. The book is organized around actions taken by the muhtasib in the areas of Muslim devotional and pious practice; crimes and offenses; the management of Christians and Jews; market regulation and consumer protection; the essential bread markets; currency and taxes; and public order. These records show that legal doctrine was clearly relevant to the muhtasib's actions, but the policy demands of the sultan were also very important, and rules from both sources of authority intersected with social, political, economic, and even personal motivating factors and produce the fullest possible picture of the practice of Islamic law"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Introduction

The Mamluk sultanage and Islamic legal history

Introducing the Muhtasib

Muslim devotional and pious practices

Serious crimes or minor offences?

Managing Christians and Jews

Market regulation and consumer protection

The markets for essential bread

Currency and taxes

Keeping the peace.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [215]-229) and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the George R. Fink Memorial Fund.

ISBN:

0199602433

9780199602438

OCLC:

714724970

Publisher Number:

99953642068