Conceptualizing Shari\u27a in the Modern State

THIS Article addresses the animated and evolving role that Shari\u27a, i.e., the system of Islamic jurisprudence collectively or generally, and Shari\u27a conceptions play in the contemporary world. There are various manifestations of this evolving role in the often dynamic, subtle, highly negotiated, and far from formalistic ways that Shari\u27a is animated in today\u27s world. There are three main points that I will address in this Article. First is to provide some insight into the various ways that Shari\u27a has been manifesting in the recent revolutions sweeping through the Arabic-speaking world, while at the same time contrasting the rather curious case of the various anti-Shari\u27a legislations proposed in parts of the United States, as well as some of the anti-Shari\u27a European discourses taking place. Second, I will address two basic conceptualizations of Shari\u27a that we find historically not just persistent, but historically competing and often wrestling for space. Although these conceptualizations have clear points of demarcation and delineation, they are quite broad and disagree in some fundamental and basic assumptions, particularly in epistemological, as well as ontological and deontological, assumptions;Finally, I will address the way that the assumptions of each of these conceptualized perspectives or schools of thought in Shari\u27a have expressed themselves in various ages and historical contexts. Indeed, we find that there are very particular attributes or particular characteristics to the way that each conceptualized view of Shari\u27a expresses itself in various historical contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Villanova Law Review is the property of Villanova University School of Law and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder\u27s express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.