Inscribing Islamic Shari‘a in Egyptian Divorce Law

Abstract As with other family law regimes, Muslim family law in Egypt plays an important role in shaping gender norms. In this article, I discuss adjudication by family courts during the period 2008-2013. I argue that the most important developments in this regard are: (1) standardisation of the way...

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Main Author: Monika Lindbekk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Scandinavian University Press 2016-01-01
Series:Oslo Law Review
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.idunn.no/oslo_law_review/2016/02/inscribing_islamic_sharia_in_egyptian_divorce_law
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author Monika Lindbekk
author_facet Monika Lindbekk
author_sort Monika Lindbekk
collection DOAJ
description Abstract As with other family law regimes, Muslim family law in Egypt plays an important role in shaping gender norms. In this article, I discuss adjudication by family courts during the period 2008-2013. I argue that the most important developments in this regard are: (1) standardisation of the way in which court rulings are written down, which contributed to a normalisation of the male-dominated nuclear family; and (2) the significant inclusion of Islamic sources in court rulings. A central question in this regard is how judges without a background in classical Islamic jurisprudence have applied the modern legal codes derived from shari‘a. I argue that a move towards greater standardisation of practice has taken place through a closer union between law and religious morality, with Quranic verses and the Sunna being used by judges in creative ways. Thus, shari‘a is continuously reinscribed in state law and its meaning construed in ways which differ from classical Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh). I also highlight the importance of key contextual factors, such as judicial training, time pressure, and the influence of computer technology, behind these developments.
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spelling doaj-art-7aa4968007a449c096940fa9f7905e052025-08-20T03:09:54ZengScandinavian University PressOslo Law Review2387-32992016-01-01310313510.5617/oslaw408118948693Inscribing Islamic Shari‘a in Egyptian Divorce LawMonika LindbekkAbstract As with other family law regimes, Muslim family law in Egypt plays an important role in shaping gender norms. In this article, I discuss adjudication by family courts during the period 2008-2013. I argue that the most important developments in this regard are: (1) standardisation of the way in which court rulings are written down, which contributed to a normalisation of the male-dominated nuclear family; and (2) the significant inclusion of Islamic sources in court rulings. A central question in this regard is how judges without a background in classical Islamic jurisprudence have applied the modern legal codes derived from shari‘a. I argue that a move towards greater standardisation of practice has taken place through a closer union between law and religious morality, with Quranic verses and the Sunna being used by judges in creative ways. Thus, shari‘a is continuously reinscribed in state law and its meaning construed in ways which differ from classical Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh). I also highlight the importance of key contextual factors, such as judicial training, time pressure, and the influence of computer technology, behind these developments.https://www.idunn.no/oslo_law_review/2016/02/inscribing_islamic_sharia_in_egyptian_divorce_lawEgyptshari‘agenderfamily lawmarriagedivorce
spellingShingle Monika Lindbekk
Inscribing Islamic Shari‘a in Egyptian Divorce Law
Oslo Law Review
Egypt
shari‘a
gender
family law
marriage
divorce
title Inscribing Islamic Shari‘a in Egyptian Divorce Law
title_full Inscribing Islamic Shari‘a in Egyptian Divorce Law
title_fullStr Inscribing Islamic Shari‘a in Egyptian Divorce Law
title_full_unstemmed Inscribing Islamic Shari‘a in Egyptian Divorce Law
title_short Inscribing Islamic Shari‘a in Egyptian Divorce Law
title_sort inscribing islamic shari a in egyptian divorce law
topic Egypt
shari‘a
gender
family law
marriage
divorce
url https://www.idunn.no/oslo_law_review/2016/02/inscribing_islamic_sharia_in_egyptian_divorce_law
work_keys_str_mv AT monikalindbekk inscribingislamicshariainegyptiandivorcelaw