Justice in Islam: The Quest for the Righteous Community From Abu Dharr to Muhammad Ali

276 Pages·2022·2.512 MB·English

by  Raymond William Baker

Justice in Islam

Justice in Islam
The Quest for the Righteous Community from
Abu Dharr to Muhammad Ali
RAYMOND WILLIAM BAKER
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Baker, Raymond William, 1942– author.
Title: Justice in Islam : the quest for the righteous community
from Abu Dharr to Muhammad Ali / by, Raymond William Baker.
Description: New York : Oxford University Press, 2022. |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2021056069 (print) | LCCN 2021056070 (ebook) |
ISBN 9780197624975 (hardcover) | ISBN 9780197624999 (epub)
Subjects: LCSH: Justice—Religious aspects—Islam. |
Justice, Administration of—Islamic Empire—History. |
Justice, Administration of—Arab countries—History.
Classification: LCC BP188.16.J88 B35 2022 (print) | LCC BP188.16.J88 (ebook) |
DDC 297.5/622—dc23/eng/20211203
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021056069
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021056070
DOI: 10.1093/o so/ 9780197624975.001.0001
1 3 5 7 9 8 6 4 2
Printed by Lakeside Book Company, United States of America
In remembrance of Elaine and her inspirational gifts of
compassion, wisdom, and spirituality.
Be just: that is closer to true righteousness.
Qur’an 5:8
Contents
Acknowledgments ix
1. Introduction: Anchored in Justice 1
2. Abu Dharr al Ghifari: Symbol of Justice, Lawyer of the Poor 16
3. Hassan al Banna and Sayyid Qutb: Founders, the School of the
Muslim Brothers 38
4. Shaikh Muhammad al Ghazalli: The People’s Shaikh 70
5. S a’id Nursi: Jihadist of the Word 87
6. Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah: Poet to
Strategic Visionary 114
7. Grand Ayatollah Baqir al Sadr: Martyred Theorist of
the Islamic Alternative 152
8. Ali Shariati: The Believing Revolutionary 176
9. M uhammad Ali: Global Caller to Islam 200
10. Conclusion: The Companion, the Prophets, and the Unseen 231
Notes 241
Bibliography 255
Glossary of Non- English Terms 259
Index 263

Acknowledgments
A word of thanks: With great appreciation, I wish to thank Mostafa Mohamed,
my senior researcher for this project. Mostafa’s phenomenal memory and
sharp analytical skills have been indispensable. Omar Mahmoud, a former
student and lifelong friend, somehow found time, despite extensive travel
and heavy professional commitments, to critique a substantial part of this
manuscript. His insightful commentary stimulated major improvements.
Muhammad Ismael al Hakim, my personal assistant for almost two decades,
provided indispensable support and a calming presence for which I am most
grateful. My brother Don has yet again provided unfailing support. I would
like to close these acknowledgements with a special thanks to Cynthia Read,
executive editor at Oxford University Press, for her tactful guidance through
the publishing process. There is something quite magical about the lightness
of her touch and the insight and wisdom it consistently conveys. I personally
claim full credit for the shortcomings and misapprehensions that are still to
be found.