Law and Piety in Medieval Islam (Cambridge Studies in Islamic Civilization)

The Ayyubid and Mamluk periods were two of the most intellectually vibrant in Islamic history. Megan H. Reid's book, which traverses three centuries from 1170 to 1500, recovers the stories of medieval men and women who were renowned not only for their intellectual prowess but also for their devotional piety. Through these stories, the book examines trends in voluntary religious practice that have been largely overlooked in modern scholarship. This type of piety was distinguished by the pursuit of God's favor through additional rituals, which emphasized the body as an instrument of worship, and through the rejection of worldly pleasures, and even society itself. Using an array of sources including manuals of law, fatwa collections, chronicles, and obituaries, the book shows what it meant to be a good Muslim in the medieval period and how Islamic law helped to define holy behavior. In its concentration on personal piety, ritual, and ethics the book offers an intimate perspective on medieval Islamic society. The Ayyubid And Mamluk Periods Were Two Of The Most Intellectually Vibrant In Islamic History. Megan H. Reid's Book, Which Traverses Three Centuries From 1170 To 1500, Recovers The Stories Of Medieval Men And Women Who Were Renowned Not Only For Their Intellectual Prowess But Also For Their Devotional Piety. Through These Stories, The Book Examines Trends In Voluntary Religious Practice That Have Been Largely Overlooked In Modern Scholarship. This Type Of Piety Was Distinguished By The Pursuit Of God's Favor Through Additional Rituals, Which Emphasized The Body As An Instrument Of Worship, And Through The Rejection Of Worldly Pleasures And Even Society Itself. Using An Array Of Sources Including Manuals Of Law, Fatwa Collections, Chronicles, And Obituaries, The Book Shows What It Meant To Be A Good Muslim In The Medieval Period And How Islamic Law Helped Define Holy Behavior. In Its Concentration On Personal Piety, Ritual, And Ethics The Book Offers An Intimate Perspective On Medieval Islamic Society--unedited Summary From Book Cover. Introduction. Devotional Piety And Islamic Law -- The Persistence Of Asceticism -- Devote Yourselves To Deeds You Can Bear: Voluntary Fasting And Bodily Piety -- Charity, Food And The Right Of Refusal -- The Devil At The Fountain: Problems In Ritual -- Conclusion. Beyond Transgression, Beyond Sunna. Megan H. Reid. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 219-239) And Index. The Ayyubid and Mamluk periods were some of the most intellectually fecund in Islamic history. Megan H. Reid's book, which traverses three centuries from 1170 to 1500, recovers the stories of medieval men and women who were renowned not only for their intellectual prowess but also for their devotional piety. Through these stories, the book examines trends in voluntary religious practice that have been largely overlooked in modern scholarship. This type of piety was distinguished by the pursuit of God's favor through additional rituals, which emphasized the body as an instrument of worship and the rejection of the temptation of worldly pleasures and even society itself. Using an array of sources including manuals of law, fatwa collections, chronicles and obituaries, the book shows what it meant to be a good Muslim in the medieval period and how Islamic law defined holy behavior. In its concentration on personal piety, ritual and religious practice the book offers an intimate perspective on early Islamic society. The Ayyubid and Mamluk periods were some of the most intellectually fecund in Islamic history. Megan H. Reid's book recovers the stories of medieval men and women who were renowned not only for their intellectual prowess but also for their devotional piety, uncovering previously unseen trends in voluntary religious practice. This intimate portrayal of the devotional life in early medieval Islamic society demonstrates how Islamic law defined holy behavior