Skip to main content

Islamic Law, Women’s Rights, and Popular Legal Consciousness in Malaysia

Resource type
Date created
2013
Authors/Contributors
Abstract
Drawing on original survey research, this study examines how lay Muslims in Malaysia understand foundational concepts in Islamic law. The survey finds a substantial disjuncture between popular legal consciousness and core epistemological commitments in Islamic legal theory. In its classic form, Islamic legal theory was marked by its commitment to pluralism and the centrality of human agency in Islamic jurisprudence. Yet in contemporary Malaysia, lay Muslims tend to understand Islamic law as being purely divine, with a single 'correct' answer to any given question. The practical implications of these findings are demonstrated through examples of efforts by women’s rights activists to reform family law provisions in Malaysia. The examples illustrate how popular misconceptions of Islamic law hinder the efforts of those working to reform family law codes while strengthening the hand of conservative actors wishing to maintain the status quo.
Document
Published as
Islamic Law, Women’s Rights, and Popular Legal Consciousness in Malaysia,” Law and Social Inquiry, vol. 38 (2013) 168-188
Publication title
Law and Social Inquiry
Document title
Islamic Law, Women’s Rights, and Popular Legal Consciousness in Malaysia
Date
2013
Volume
38
Issue
2013
First page
168
Last page
188
Copyright statement
Copyright is held by the author(s).
Scholarly level
Peer reviewed?
Yes
Language
English
Member of collection

Views & downloads - as of June 2023

Views: 0
Downloads: 0