Legal Pluralism in Muslim-Majority Colonies: Mapping the Terrain

2012 ◽  
Vol 55 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 637-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Sartori ◽  
Ido Shahar
Keyword(s):  
Present Article ◽  
Legal System ◽  
Final Section ◽  
Islamic Law ◽  
Legal Pluralism ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Customary Laws ◽  
Muslim Majority ◽  
Written Traditions ◽  
Pluralisme Juridique

Abstract This essay aims to provide some analytical foundations for the study of legal pluralism in Muslim-majority colonies. Specifically, we contend that the incorporation of Islamic law into the colonial legal systems should be distinguished from the process of integration and codification of oral customs. As Islamic law constitutes a well-established legal system, based on written traditions and on elaborate institutions of learning and adjudication, its incorporation into the colonial legal system carried with it a number of implications. These are discussed, as are the tripartite relations that often emerge in Muslim-majority colonies between statutory laws, Islamic, and customary laws (ʿādat, ʿurf). The final section of the essay aims to present the articles included in this special issue and to place them within this broad context. Le présent article vise à établir des fondements théoriques à l’étude du pluralisme juridique dans les colonies à majorité musulmane. Il insiste en particulier sur la nécessité qu’il y a à distinguer l’incorporation de la loi islamique aux systèmes juridiques coloniaux, du processus d’intégration et de codification du droit coutumier non écrit. La loi islamique constitue un système bien établi, fondé sur des traditions écrites et pourvu d’institutions de formation et d’exercice complexes. Son incorporation au sein du système juridique colonial a entraîné un certain nombre de conséquences spécifiques, qui sont analysées ici. Une attention particulière est en outre accordée aux relations triangulaires qui se font jour entre loi statutaire, loi islamique et droit coutumier (ʿādat, ʿurf) dans les colonies à majorité musulmane. Enfin, la dernière partie est consacrée à la présentation des articles réunis dans le numéro spécial dédié à ces enjeux.

When Jurisprudence Becomes Law: How Italian Colonial Judges in Libya Turned Islamic Law and Customary Practice into Binding Legal Precedent

2012 ◽  
Vol 55 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 746-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Gazzini
Keyword(s):  
Legal System ◽  
Islamic Law ◽  
Legal Pluralism ◽  
Court Of Appeals ◽  
Legal Precedent ◽  
French Colonies ◽  
Local Law ◽  
Pluralisme Juridique ◽  
The Way

Abstract This paper considers the way in which Italian authorities introduced jurisprudence of the Court of Appeals as a source of law in Libya from 1911 to 1943. Aimed at resolving the tensions that resulted from the interplay between local customs, Islamic law, and the Italian legal codes, such a recourse to jurisprudence was a clear departure from Italy’s own code-based legal system. This judicial innovation was also a change from the practices introduced in British and French colonies, where the codification of a hybrid European-local law had become the norm. Divided into three parts—jurisprudence as source of law in Italy, its uses in the colonies, and jurisprudence in practice (through the analysis of the sentences on shuf ʿa, the customary right of pre-emption)—this article illustrates Italian jurisprudential law in Libya as an example of the theoretical problems and practical advantages of legal pluralism in a colonial context. Cet article examine comment les autorités italiennes ont introduit la jurisprudence émanant de la Cour d’appel en tant que source de droit en Libye de 1911 à 1943. Destiné à résoudre les tensions qui ont résulté de l’interaction entre les coutumes locales, le droit islamique et les codes juridiques italiennes, un tel recours à la jurisprudence était clairement une rupture avec le système basé sur les codes juridiques en usage en Italie. Cette innovation judiciaire était également différente des pratiques introduites dans les colonies britanniques et française, où la codification d’un hybride euro-locale était devenue la norme. Divisé en trois parties—la jurisprudence comme source de droit en Italie, ses utilisations dans les colonies, et la jurisprudence dans la pratique (à travers l’analyse des décisions sur le shuf ʿa, droit coutumier de préemption)—cet article illustre le droit jurisprudentiel italien en Libye comme un exemple des problèmes théoriques et des avantages pratiques du pluralisme juridique dans un contexte colonial.

Foundations of the Consensus against Surrogacy Arrangements in Islamic Law

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 82-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman Shabana
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Legal System ◽  
Islamic Law ◽  
Nuclear Family ◽  
Moral Vision ◽  
Moral Decision ◽  
Moral Decision Making ◽  
Muslim Majority

This essay traces the emergence and development of the consensus against surrogacy arrangements, mostly in the Sunni world, on the basis of a number of institutional fatwas, recommendations, and decisions. Despite this consensus against surrogacy, jurists discuss in detail its potential effects if it is performed. This juristic attitude reflects an understanding of sharīʿah as a legal system that not only institutes rules for cases that match its moral vision but also regulates the consequences of cases that do not match that vision. In the absence of clear and binding legislation on surrogacy in most Muslim-majority countries, this body of religious and ethical deliberations represents the main resource for moral decision-making on surrogacy and its impact on the genealogical connections within the nuclear family.


scholarly journals The Concept of Patah Titi: The Problem of Inheritance and Its Solution in Aceh Tengah

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fauzi Fauzi
Keyword(s):  
Child Protection ◽  
Islamic Law ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Legal Pluralism ◽  
Customary Law ◽  
State Laws ◽  
The People ◽  
Customary Laws ◽  
Universal Values ◽  
Legal Consequences

This article examines the inheritance issue of patah titi practiced by the people of Aceh Tengah. Patah titi is a state in which one of the aṣḥāb al-furūḍ (obligatory sharers or primary heirs) loses linkage (due to death) to muwārith (the deceased). This study used descriptive analysis and drew upon legal pluralism,which considers the interaction between state laws, customary laws, and religious laws in resolving a case. The findings show that inheritance distribution is implemented in three steps: first, the heir inherits nothing due to the legal consequences of patah titi; second, the heir receives inheritance because they are considered a badl (substitution) of the predeceased heir; third, the heir receives hibah (gift).The last two steps in the settlement of patah titi are derived from various sources, including the Compilation of Islamic Law (KHI), customary law,and the universal values of Islamic law, which consider principles of equity, humanity and child protection.

Dialetic Between Islamic Law and Adat Law in the Nusantara: A Reinterpretation of the Terengganu Inscription in the 14th Century

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-312
Author(s):  
Ayang Utriza Yakin
Keyword(s):  
Legal System ◽  
Islamic Law ◽  
Legal Pluralism ◽  
Social Classes ◽  
14Th Century ◽  
Alternative System ◽  
History Of ◽  
Adat Law

This article discusses the inscription found in Terengganu, which originated in the early XIV Century. The inscription documents the laws implemented by the rulers of the time. These texts reveal that the laws of this time came from two sources: Islamic law and customary (adat) law. In other words, the inscription indicates that legal pluralism was already in existence by the 14th Century. Adat law was the principle legal system in place, playing an important role in the archipelagic society at the time. However, there was an alternative system of Islamic law (e.g. stoning as a punishment for adultery) in place for lower social classes. This finding suggests that Islamic law was already in existence in the early 14th century—much earlier than the prevailing understanding of the history of Islamic law suggests. The article contributes by providing the new transliteration from Jawi into Latin characters and the new translation from old-Malay into modern English, which are arguably more accurate than the previous work.

scholarly journals Application of Islamic Law in the UK and Universal Human Rights

2020 ◽  
pp. 72-87
Author(s):  
Elham Manea
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Legal System ◽  
Islamic Law ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Legal Pluralism ◽  
Religious Groups ◽  
Universal Human Rights ◽  
Islamic Countries ◽  
British Case ◽  
The Uk

Should Islamic Law be introduced into Western legal system? At the heart of the issue is a debate on legal pluralism, which envisions a society where different laws apply to different religious groups. This paper explores question using the British case of Sharia Councils. Building on the author’s knowledge of the situation of women in Middle Eastern and Islamic countries, she undertook firsthand analysis of the Islamic Sharia councils and Muslim arbitration tribunals in various British cities. She offers a pointed critique of legal pluralism, highlighting the type of Islamic law being used and its human rights ramifications.

Islamic Law and Legal Hybridity in Nigeria

2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 303-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamman Lawan
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Law ◽  
Legal System ◽  
Islamic Law ◽  
The Other ◽  
Colonial Administration ◽  
English System ◽  
Customary Laws ◽  
British Colonial

AbstractThe British colonial administration created a hybrid legal system in Nigeria where English, Islamic and customary laws apply. The English system, having a written constitution, was made dominant and the other laws apply to the extent permitted by it. However, Muslims in the northern part of the country have been making efforts to reverse this dominance, including the recent re-introduction of Islamic criminal law by 12 states. This effort is seen to be revolutionary, reverting the states to the position when Islamic law applied in full, devoid of colonial influence. This article asks whether this can break the legal hybridity and answers in the negative, arguing instead that the effort accentuates the hybridity. For example, the re-introduction of Islamic criminal law is enabled by the constitution, the constitution institutionalises the hybridity and the 12 states operate, and are bound by, the constitution. The article discusses other variables depicting the hybridity and concludes that it was a conscious colonial act, nearly impossible to break.

Islamic Law in a National Legal System: A Study on the Implementation of Shari'ah in Aceh, Indonesia

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 1-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasnil Basri Siregar
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Law ◽  
Legal System ◽  
Islamic Law ◽  
Central Government ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Legal Pluralism ◽  
National Government ◽  
Human Relationships ◽  
System A ◽  
National Legal System

AbstractThe implementation of shari'ah (Islamic law) in the province of Aceh in Indonesia was the consequence of a national policy of legal pluralism, effected in 2001 when the national government decided to give a special status and wide autonomy to this region. However, certain problems have arisen. One of these is whether the Islamic courts of justice have been conferred competence to deal with Islamic criminal law and if so, which judicial institution should deal with the matter. Another is the meaning and scope of mu'amalat law (the law dealing with human relationships). It also appears that the central government has permitted shari'ah to be implemented for political reasons.

scholarly journals Legitimasi Berlapis dan Negosiasi Dinamis pada Pembayaran Perkawinan Perspektif Pluralisme Hukum

Al-Ahkam ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 141
Author(s):  
Atun Wardatun
Keyword(s):  
Legal System ◽  
Legal Pluralism ◽  
The State ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Customary Law ◽  
Strong Laws ◽  
Administrative Costs ◽  
Customary Laws ◽  
The City ◽  
Participatory Observation

<p>This article is based on an ethnographic study that uses participatory observation of eight marriage payment negotiations in the city of Mataram, West Nusatenggara. It argues that the marriage payment in the Muslim tradition of Sasak in the city of Mataram is based on strong legal pluralism or a variety of equally strong laws in which no single legal system dominates and is subordinated to each other. Furthermore, this research sheds light on extending meaning of legal pluralism in which it may include dialogue between the same legal system eg between different customary laws. This strong model of legal pluralism is seen in two ways. First, the layered legitimacy of Sasak marriage by using many models of marriage payments, namely religious payment in the form of mahr for marriage validity, local payment in the form of pisuke and ajikrama for social appropriateness, and state payment in the form of administrative costs for formal legality. Second, the dynamic negotiation between customary law holders concerning the marriage payment when inter-ethnicity marriage occurs (exogamy), where different traditions can absorb each other. The argument at the same time debates the view that has placed the three legal systems: Islam, adat (customs), and the state as opposed and subordinate to each other.</p>

Authorized Lies: Colonial Agency and Legal Hybrids in Tashkent, c. 1881-1893

2012 ◽  
Vol 55 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 688-717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Sartori
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Legal Pluralism ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Legal Traditions ◽  
Legal Concepts ◽  
Pluralisme Juridique

Abstract In this essay I reconstruct a conflict over the legitimacy of a waqf established in Tashkent in 1881. The litigation involved a qāḍī and the heirs of the founder of the endowment; Russian colonial authorities investigated the case. Looking, as they were, for an instance of qāḍī malpractice, the Russians sought recourse to legal concepts borrowed from sharīʿa and fabricated evidence as they saw fit. I draw on the idea of legal pluralism in order to highlight how, in Russian Central Asia, legal praxis inevitably embraced diverse conceptions of legality. I also show how locals were able to maneuver government officials into using procedures from various legal traditions and thus produce a legal hybrid. Le présent article s’attache à reconstituer un contentieux touchant la légitimité d’un waqf établi à Tashkent en 1881. Le litige opposait un qāḍī aux héritiers du fondateur de la dotation; les autorités coloniales russes étaient en charge de l’enquête. Prompts à mettre en cause les qāḍī pour malversations à la moindre occasion, les Russes n’hésitaient pas à recourir à des notions juridiques empruntées à la sharīʿa, voire à forger des preuves au besoin. Mon analyse de cette affaire s’appuie sur la notion de pluralisme juridique, qui permet de mettre en évidence la coexistence, dans la justice telle qu’elle se pratiquait en Asie Centrale sous domination russe, de conceptions hétérogènes de la légalité. Cette étude révèle aussi le rôle des populations locales, et leur capacité à induire les fonctionnaires d’état à mettre en œuvre des procédures émanant de traditions différentes, au point de produire de véritables hybrides juridiques.

scholarly journals SYARI'AH BANKING LEGAL SYSTEM IN INDONESIA

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Didik Sukardi
Keyword(s):  
Legal System ◽  
Islamic Law ◽  
Banking System ◽  
The People ◽  
Muslim Majority ◽  
Conventional Banks

Socio-anthropological and emotional, Islamic law is very close to the people of Indonesia are Muslim majority, but it has historically Islamic law was known long before the colonists into Indonesia. Fatwa Majelis Ulama Indonesia or MUI on bank interest is haram has pushed aside the curtain of public oppression to liberation syari'ah, and gave birth to the implementation of the dual banking system in Indonesia, namely the operation of conventional banks and banks of the syari'ah, which is welcomed by the people of Islam in Indonesia 

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