Ahmad Qābel and Contemporary Islamic Thought
Rational Shariah in Twenty-First-Century Iran

An original examination of the writings of reformist Muslim thinker, Ahmad Qābel, whose work sought to rationalise and modernise Islamic law.

Lloyd Ridgeon (Author)

9781009322225, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 6 April 2023

288 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.1 cm, 0.55 kg

‘Lloyd Ridgeon has brilliantly captured the thoughts of Ahmed Qābel, a reformist Muslim thinker who has received scant attention in the West. Qābel’s views on the rationalist Shariah are especially illuminating and compelling. The book will be of great benefit to all scholars of contemporary Islam, especially those interested in an Islamic reformation.’ Liyakat Takim, McMaster University

Ahmad Qābel (1954–2012) was one of the key figures in the 'New Religious Thinking' trend of reformist thought, whose radical views were some of the most daring of his generation, seeking to rationalize and modernize Islamic law. In this comprehensively researched and accessibly written book, Lloyd Ridgeon offers an original examination of Qābel's writings, including his seminal work Shari'at-e 'Aqlāni (Rational Shariah). Throughout his career, Qābel crossed many political and religious redlines, resulting in several prison terms and hastening his premature death while under hospital arrest. Chapters covering topics from jurisprudence and politics to gender relations and society unravel Qābel's worldview, introducing and illuminating his work for all readers. With extended translations from Qābel's compositions, including two whole chapters from Shari'at-e 'Aqlāni, Ridgeon offers the necessary context to understand the resounding significance of Qābel's ideas and arguments.

Introduction
1. Biography of Ahmad Qābel: crossing redlines
2. Jurisprudence: rational Shariah
3. History: the faces of Imam Hosayn
4. Politics: Qābel's view of Velāyat-e Faqih
5. Gender: women's rights
6. Apostasy and freedom of religion
7. Society: the role of Islam in society
8. Reason and superstition
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Religious & theocratic ideologies [JPFR], Islamic theology [HRHT], Postwar 20th century history, from c 1945 to c 2000 [HBLW3], Middle Eastern history [HBJF1]