Jackson on early developements in Islamic law

In an article, which I linked in an earlier post, Dr. Jackson also writes about the early development of Islamic law:

"With the exception of its claim to divine origins, perhaps the most glaring contrast between Islamic law and modern, secular systems is that Islamic law constitutes what the late Orientalist Joseph Schacht referred to as an extreme case of "jurists' law." Islamic law was neither the creation nor the preserve of the early Muslim state. Rather, it developed to a large extent in conscious opposition to the latter. Private Muslims, during the first two centuries or so following the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE, succeeded in gaining the community's recognition for their interpretive efforts as constituting the most authentic representations of divine intent." [emphasis my own]

This is a point worth reiterating. Today many Muslim ideologues -- including some religious scholars -- are enamoured with the modern state and its functions, and wish to see an uneven marriage between the state and shari'ah. Worse still, many people from such groups would like to implement a Noddy shari'ah (thanks to Yakoub for that phrase), whose aim is not to recreate the libraries, arts or learning from some distant and romanticised Islamic civilisation, but to stone, behead and liquidate as many people (opponents of their state) as possible. Contrast this with the behaviour of many early scholars who kept at arms length from centres of power; even at the risk of being imprisoned or killed. This way they have been remembered, not as supporters of tyranny, but as defenders of truth against rulers who abused their power.

Comments

[Marqas]

I see you've found some of Jackson's stuff online as well. Sherman's a friend of mine and we're lucky to have him here in the States - he's a great resource for Muslims here. I will link to your blog on mine. Salaams. Marqas.

[grey witch]

So the muslims get all upset when some cartoons of the prophet are made

declaring that it is wrong an insult to the prophet and blasphemy etc

Did not hear them say very much when the Taliban destroyed the giant statue of Buddha

respect for other religions ?
so know the Muslims know how the Buddhists must have felt