A new history of North Africa within the Islamic period from the Arab conquest to the present.

Focusing on the Maghrib in the period between 1300 and 1500, in this 2002 book David Powers analyses the application of Islamic law through the role of the mufti. To unravel the sophistication of the law, he considers six cases which took place in the Marinid period on subjects as diverse as paternity, fornication, water rights, family endowments, the slander of the Prophet and disinheritance. The source for these disputes are fatwas issued by the muftis, which the author uses to situate each case in its historical context and to interpret the principles of Islamic law. In so doing he demonstrates that, contrary to popular stereotypes, muftis were in fact dedicated to reasoned argument, and sensitive to the manner in which law, society and culture interacted. The book represents a groundbreaking approach to a complex field. It will be read by students of Islamic law and those interested in traditional Muslim societies.

Review: "Islamic Civilization: History, Contributions, and Influence - A Compendium of Literature is a window to literature pertaining to Islamic history and Islam's contributions to knowledge and its influence in medieval Europe. The book is unique in that it presents more than mere annotations - it is a collection of "literature briefs," detailed and focused descriptions of each of the more than six hundred books and articles covered." "In the post-9/11 environment, there has been a surge of interest regarding all things Islamic. While much of the new literature is refreshingly positive, some works demonstrate a revival of centuries-old misconceptions about the Islamic world. Islamic Civilization examines that dichotomy through literature that the author has accumulated over the past twenty years in connection with other research endeavors concerning early Islamic social thought; thus, most references have a social-science/humanities orientation. Students, research scholars, and professionals will find this bibliography full of useful resources and a stimulus for further reading."--BOOK JACKET

This selected and annotated bibliography of source materials on the Maghreb deals with over 500 books and articles on this fascinating region. The volume will prove to be an indispensable reference tool to researrchers, scholars, business people and general readers.

For the second half of a two-course sequence in Muslim history, Islamic Civilization, and religious studies courses on Islam. The history of the predominantly Muslim world is examined within the context of world history. It examines political, economic, and broad cultural developments, as well as specifically religious ones. The themes of the book are tradition and adaptation: It examines the tensions between the desire of Muslims to maintain continuity with their legacy and their recognition of the need to adapt to changing conditions.