Speaking in God's Name: Islamic Law, Authority and Women

This is a phenomenal book that presents the intersection of knowledge from three dimensions that rarely come together when addressing Islam. Khaled Abu el Fadel masterpiece, Speaking in the Name of God, builds on his deep knowledge of traditional Islamic jurisprudence, western thought on divergent topics such as philosophy, anthropology and linguistics and finally scientific research methods.In this book Abu el Fadel sets about discussing basic fundamentals about the basic text of the Quran, he argues persuasively that the actual text of the Quran is authoritative whereas its interpretations are not necessarily so. Abu el Fadel proceeds to cover the concept of "agency" and the responsibilities that must be assumed by anyone who claims to interpret Islam and produce responsa or "fetwa". A tour de force of traditional Islamic Jurisprudence is presented setting the rules of how a fetwa can be reached, rules of evidence, weighing of multiple or contradictory indications, method of reasoning and ultimately presentation of results or fetwa.Sharia Law as presented by Abu el Fadel is a far more nuanced and complex legal code than how it is commonly interpreted today in both the West and the Muslim World. A number of examples of Law from Saudi Arabia are presented in particular in relation to the restrictions imposed on women. Abu el Fadel presents the official Saudi Islamic rulings and sets about dissecting them in great detail and examining them under the microscope of traditional Islamic jurisprudence with its restrain and tremendous care not to usurp the intent of God and force one's own will on Islam.Abu el Fadel goes to the root of some of the "Hadith", Prophet Mohammad sayings, that have been used over the years to limit the role of women in Islam. Abu el Fadel presents through very detailed analysis of history and Islamic Jurisprudence different versions of a specific Hadith that mandates duty of obedience on women towards their husbands very strong evidence that this commonly accepted Hadith is indeed fake. Abu el Fadel also presents the motives that could lay behind the number of fake Hadith's specially in relation to the split between Sunni and Shiite Islam. Consistent with his basic thesis Abu el Fadel presentations and conclusions are reached through very rigorous examination of all evidence, weighing of the evidence, balancing of the various factors in accordance with the established rules of Islamic Jurisprudence.Khaled Abu el Fadel's modesty and "scientific humility" comes across in his restrain in drawing conclusions and in his constant attempts at presenting counter arguments to his own conclusions, and in his tentative approach towards building up his own conclusions. Abu el Fadel displays a tremendous example of what non authoritarian behavior is all about through his care not to fall into the common trap that is literally the standard approach to Islam today.One day, perhaps centuries from now, this work may prove instrumental in recapturing the essence of Islam.

From page 33:Muslim jurists repeatedly cited the traditions attributed to the Prophet stating, "Every mujtahid (jurist who strives to find the correct answer) is correct" or "Every mujtahid will be [justly] rewarded."….The purpose of the search, however, is not simply to locate the Straight Path, but is the very act of engagement, and the very involvement with the Will of God. A large number of jurists even argued that the reason for the search is the search, and not necessarily to locate the Straight Path at all. In other words, the search is the Straight Path.

I won't carry on in detail the horrid events I suffered at the hands of a Muslim leader—you can check out my memoir—but I'll say this: finding Dr. Abou El Fadl's books, and this one specifically, gave me hope for the first time since I converted in 2009. His common sense, no nonsense, honest, practical approach to deconstructing the mindless dogmas that rule our lives as Muslims today is truly unique and so, so very needed. Had I not come across his work, I'd have left the faith, believing the crap I was taught by the Salafi and Wahabi community I was part of for so long. God Bless Dr. Abou El Fadl!

Good but very abstract

Dr. Abou El Fadl's excellent book on Islam. The Great Theft and The Search For Beauty In Islam are among his great works.

This work demonstrates an immense amount of erudition in both Western and Islamic traditions, and perhaps, this quality is what makes this work so engrossing. One can spend hours working through the footnotes alone. On that note, one should mentioned that K. A. El Fadel genuinely tries to present each perspective on a topic. He doesn't decieve his Western audiences by concealing the ugliness of much that exists in Islamic tradition and he doesn't shy away from criticizing many of the sacred cows of his fellow Muslims. In many ways, I found reading this book to be much like peering into the modern condition of religious authority in Islam. El Fadl doesn't paint a pretty picture, but he does demonstrate that there is hope, and the juristic tradition, as moribund as it may at time seems, shall likely continue into the future though in a radically transformed way than its previous incarnation.Some criticisms of the book are his awkward attempts to merge insights from Western philosophy with Muslim tradition. Thinkers such as Muhammad Iqbal proved long ago that this can be done with grace and skill, but El Fadl does so awkwardly at times. It seems that these elements remain unmixed like oil and water despite various attempts. Also, I wish he would have desisted from always using the Wahhabi CRLO as his main polemical opponent. There are so many other fatwa bodies, international ones at that, that I found this decision to be rather odd. Moreover, I would have liked to have seen a deeper examination of the historical contingencies surrounding these fatwas to be explored. Nonetheless, it's without a doubt a must read for anyone interested in American Muslim scholars.

I learned a lot by reading this book. Taught me about the methodologies used by schools of thought to reach conclusions before giving rulings. Also the concept of Awrah (nakedness) is not so clear cut as contemporary Muslims make it. There were lots of debates and discussions over this and various schools of thought did not have an unanimous opinion. Also other topics were heavily discussed and it makes sense that God's will is not known by a simple literal reading of the text, but by indicators and the effort expended in trying to search for it.

Khaled About El Fadi-- very painfully analysed the various Islamic jurisdictions of shii & sunni sects. Now most Islamic contries in Jahiliyyah so automatically destruction inevitable.

Nice Book!

Good book

Nice book