Animals In Islamic Tradition And Muslim Cultures

From references to animals in the Qu'ran to modern-day websites on Islamic vegetarianism, Richard C. Foltz presents the first comprehensive study of the role of animals in the Islamic tradition. Drawing on a wide range of sources, including classic mysticism, Foltz traces the development of Islamic attitudes towards animals over the centuries and confronts the key ethical questions facing Muslims today. Modern advances in science and technology and the increasing prevalence of techniques such as bioengineering and factory farming have forced many religions to reassess their traditional notions of animal rights and, as Foltz demonstrates, Muslims are increasingly asking their tradition to respond to such issues. Scholarly yet accessible, this is an original and informative contribution to Islamic studies, and will be essential reading for anyone, Muslim or non-Muslim, with an interest in the significance of religion and culture for the contemporary animal rights debate.

The Islamic tradition has always held animals in high esteem, deserving the same level of consideration as humans. The Qur'an opines that 'there is not an animal in the earth nor a flying creature flying on two wings, but they are people like you'. This fascinating and highly original book examines the status and nature of animals as they are portrayed in the Qur'an and in adjacent exegetical works, in which animals are viewed as spiritual, moral, intelligent and accountable beings. In this way, the study presents a challenge to the prevalent view of man's superiority over animals and suggests new ways of interpreting the Qur'an. By placing the discussion within the context of other religions and their treatment of animals, the book also makes a persuasive case for animal rights from an Islamic perspective.

This updated, second edition of the Handbook of Political Islam covers a range of political actors that use Islam to advance their cause. While they share the ultimate vision of establishing a political system governed by Islam, their tactics and methods can be very different. Capturing this diversity, this volume also sheds light on some of the less-known experiences from South East Asia to North Africa. Drawing on expertise from some of the top scholars in the world, the chapters examine the main issues surrounding political Islam across the world, including: Theoretical foundations of political Islam Historical background Geographical spread of Islamist movements Political strategies adopted by Islamist groups Terrorism Attitudes towards democracy Relations between Muslims and the West in the international sphere Challenges of integration Gender relations Capturing the geographical spread of Islamism and the many manifestations of this political phenomenon make this book a key resource for students and researchers interested in political Islam, Muslim affairs and the Middle East.

"The Oxford Handbook on Islamic Law offers a historiographic window into the scholarly treatment of a wide range of topics in the field of Islamic legal studies. Each essay, authored by an expert in the field, situates its subject in relation to historical academic scholarship. The historiographic feature of the volume is deliberate. It aims to assist readers-graduate students, scholars, and others-to appreciate the contested nature of key concepts and topics in Islamic law without taking any particular account for granted. The essays both describe and reflect on scholarly debates, and gesture to future areas of fruitful research."--webpage.

The main reference source for questions of Islamic philosophy, science, and technology amongst Western engaged readers and academics in general and legal researchers in particular.

This volume builds on the emerging dialogue between animal rights, environmental ethics, and religious studies. The author sheds new light on 'the sanctity of life', questions what it means to be human and challenges our assumed place in the universe.

A unique handbook providing a set of good practice standards for both producers and consumers of Halal food This accessible, authoritative book covers all aspects of Halal from its origins through to how we expect Halal to develop in the coming years. It explains what Halal is, where it came from, how it is practiced, and by whom. In addition to putting Halal in a religious and cultural context, the book provides practical standards for those working in the Halal trade. It explains why there are so many different interpretations of Halal and why this needs to be resolved if international trade is to be developed. Each chapter in The Halal Food Handbook is written by leading experts in their particular field of study. The first one discusses how regulatory bodies have failed to stem the miss selling and adulteration of Halal foods. The next chapters cover the slaughter process and issues around good practice. The book then looks at regulators—covering Sharia law, UK national laws, and the EU—and outlines the legal framework for enforcing the law. It also compares and contrasts different types of religious slaughter for faith foods; examines attempts to set an international standard for trade; and discusses pork adulteration in Halal foods. The final chapter covers other aspects of Halal, including cosmetics, tourism, lifestyle, and banking, and finishes with a look at what the future holds for Halal. Written and edited by leading international experts in Halal who are backed by the Muslim Council of Britain Presents a set of good practice standards for both producers and consumers of Halal food Covers the complexity of the political, legal, and practical dimensions of Halal food production The Halal Food Handbook will appeal to a wide audience, including abattoirs, manufacturers, retailers, regulators, academics, public bodies catering for Muslims, and the broader Muslim community.

Animals in rural Egypt became enmeshed in social relationships and made possible many tasks otherwise impossible. Rather than focus on what animals represented or symbolized, Mikhail discusses their social and economic functions, as Ottoman Egypt cannot be understood without acknowledging animals as central shapers of the early modern world.