Changing God's Law

The dynamics of Middle Eastern family law

Nadjma Yassari editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:11th May '18

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Changing God's Law cover

This volume identifies and elaborates on the significance and functions of the various actors involved in the development of family law in the Middle East. Besides the importance of family law regulations for each individual, family law has become the battleground of political and social contestation. Divided into four parts, the collection presents a general overview and analysis of the development of family law in the region and provides insights into the broader context of family law reform, before offering examples of legal development realised by codification drawn from a selection of Gulf states, Iran, and Egypt. It then goes on to present a thorough analysis of the role of the judiciary in the process of lawmaking, before discussing ways the parties themselves may have shaped and do shape the law. Including contributions from leading authors of Middle Eastern law, this timely volume brings together many isolated aspects of legal development and offers a comprehensive picture on this topical subject. It will be of interest to scholars and academics of family law and religion.

‘An essential guide for those interested in how family law actually works in the contemporary Islamic world. Relying upon leading scholars and practitioners, Changing God’s Law demolishes the trope that Islamic law is determined entirely on the basis of medieval texts. It demonstrates the fundamental role of judges, lawmakers and other contemporary actors in the evolution of Islamic family law, and provides critical detail on the nature of the many multifaceted changes taking place in different parts of the Islamic world.’

Haider Ala Hamoudi, University of Pittsburgh, USA

‘This is an important contribution to the study of recent developments in family laws in the Middle East. Using different approaches to analyse a range of countries, contributors provide valuable insights into the dynamics of legal interpretations, judicial practices and human agency in shaping contemporary family laws.’

Ziba Mir-Hosseini, SOAS, University of London, UK

‘Including both longer-term historical studies and up-to-date contemporary accounts, this volume is an important contribution to the study of family in the Middle East and beyond.’

Annelies Moors, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands


‘An essential guide for those interested in how family law actually works in the contemporary Islamic world. Relying upon leading scholars and practitioners, Changing God’s Law demolishes the trope that Islamic law is determined entirely on the basis of medieval texts. It demonstrates the fundamental role of judges, lawmakers and other contemporary actors in the evolution of Islamic family law, and provides critical detail on the nature of the many multifaceted changes taking place in different parts of the Islamic world.’

Haider Ala Hamoudi, University of Pittsburgh, USA

‘This is an important contribution to the study of recent developments in family laws in the Middle East. Using different approaches to analyse a range of countries, contributors provide valuable insights into the dynamics of legal interpretations, judicial practices and human agency in shaping contemporary family laws.’

Ziba Mir-Hosseini, SOAS, University of London, UK

‘Including both longer-term historical studies and up-to-date contemporary accounts, this volume is an important contribution to the study of family in the Middle East and beyond.’

Annelies Moors, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

ISBN: 9781138605701

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 449g

302 pages