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In Plain English

Islamic Law Lexicon |Scholarship In Plain English

This series contains helpful resources that explain various aspects of Islamic law in “plain English.”

Islamic Law Lexicon :: Ribâ

May 16, 2017July 14, 2020

This is a definition of ribâ by scholars Mohammad Fadel, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair for the Law and Economics of Islamic Law, University of Toronto Faculty of Law and Ibrahim…

Review :: Powers on the Role of Endowments, waqf, in Inheritance

April 17, 2017July 14, 2020

Centuries before the trust was developed in English common law, Islamic law developed the waqf, or endowment. The waqf allowed a property owner to separate the title to a property from the…

Review :: Clark Lombardi on Sharīʿa as a Source of Legislation

April 17, 2017July 14, 2020

The constitutions of many Muslim-majority countries contain clauses that declare sharīʿa a source of legislation. These “sharīʿaclauses” may name sharīʿa as “a chief source,” “the chief source,” or “the only source,” among others, of…

Review :: Fadel on the Function of the “Interest Ban” in Islamic Finance

April 17, 2017July 14, 2020

Islamic finance creates financial products specifically aimed at Muslims that are sharīʿa compliant. Many scholars have condemned Islamic finance for condemning ribā (interest) on the one hand, particularly where usurious, but then many others…

Islamic Law Lexicon :: Ijtihād: the direct interpretation of scripture

April 17, 2017July 14, 2020

This entry provides a definition and analysis of the term ijtihād, drawing on works by SHARIAsource Senior Scholar Sherman A. Jackson, King Faisal Chair in Islamic Thought and Culture and Professor of Religion…

Islamic Law Lexicon :: Ḥadīth

April 17, 2017July 14, 2020

Ḥadīth = “the corpus of traditions from the Prophet”; reports of words and sayings attributed to the Prophet Muḥammad (for Sunnīs) as well as to a series of Imams who succeeded…

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Upcoming Events

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  • November 2025

Calendar of Events

M Mon

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0 events, 27

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0 events, 29

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1 event, 31

2025-10-31

Call for Papers: American Society for Premodern Asia Annual Meeting, October 31, 2025

Call for Papers: American Society for Premodern Asia Annual Meeting, October 31, 2025

October 31

Call for Papers: American Society for Premodern Asia Annual Meeting, October 31, 2025

From the organizers: The 236th Meeting of the American Society for Premodern Asia will be held Friday, April 24, 2026 through Monday, April 27, 2026, in Los Angeles, CA USA. … Continue reading Call for Papers: American Society for Premodern Asia Annual Meeting, October 31, 2025

0 events, 1

0 events, 2

2 events, 3

2025-11-03

Position Opening: Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Sharmin & Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies, Princeton University, November 3, 2025

Position Opening: Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Sharmin & Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies, Princeton University, November 3, 2025

November 3

Position Opening: Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Sharmin & Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies, Princeton University, November 3, 2025

From the institution: The Sharmin & Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies Postdoctoral Research Associate(s) Application Details The Sharmin and Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Iran and Persian … Continue reading Position Opening: Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Sharmin & Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies, Princeton University, November 3, 2025

6:15 pm - 7:30 pm

Workshop: Middle East Beyond Borders—Ozkan Karabulut (Harvard University), “Scripturalization of the Alevi Mystical Poetry,” November 3, 2025 @6:15pm

November 3 @ 6:15 pm - 7:30 pm

Workshop: Middle East Beyond Borders—Ozkan Karabulut (Harvard University), “Scripturalization of the Alevi Mystical Poetry,” November 3, 2025 @6:15pm

Ozkan Karabulut (PhD Candidate, HMES) will join us to share a chapter titled "Scripturalization of the Alevi Mystical Poetry" on November 3rd. We will be meeting from 6:15-7:30pm in the … Continue reading Workshop: Middle East Beyond Borders—Ozkan Karabulut (Harvard University), “Scripturalization of the Alevi Mystical Poetry,” November 3, 2025 @6:15pm

0 events, 4

2 events, 5

2025-11-05

Conference: 5th ACM Conference on Equity and Access in Algorithms, Mechanisms, and Optimization, University of Pittsburgh, November 5-7, 2025

Conference: 5th ACM Conference on Equity and Access in Algorithms, Mechanisms, and Optimization, University of Pittsburgh, November 5-7, 2025

November 5 - November 7

Conference: 5th ACM Conference on Equity and Access in Algorithms, Mechanisms, and Optimization, University of Pittsburgh, November 5-7, 2025

From the organizers: Hello everyone, We are pleased to announce that the 5th ACM Conference on Equity and Access in Algorithms, Mechanisms, and Optimization (EAAMO’25) will take place November 5–7, … Continue reading Conference: 5th ACM Conference on Equity and Access in Algorithms, Mechanisms, and Optimization, University of Pittsburgh, November 5-7, 2025

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Lecture: “Law Between Self and Society: Collective Duties in Islamic Law—Past, Present, and Future” with Prof. Adnan A. Zulfiqar (Boston College), UC Irvine, November 5, 2025 @5:30pm

November 5 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Lecture: “Law Between Self and Society: Collective Duties in Islamic Law—Past, Present, and Future” with Prof. Adnan A. Zulfiqar (Boston College), UC Irvine, November 5, 2025 @5:30pm

From the organizer: "Law Between Self and Society: Collective Duties in Islamic Law—Past, Present, and Future" Mohannad and Rana Malas Lecture in Islamic Legal Studies Presented by Professor Adnan A. … Continue reading Lecture: “Law Between Self and Society: Collective Duties in Islamic Law—Past, Present, and Future” with Prof. Adnan A. Zulfiqar (Boston College), UC Irvine, November 5, 2025 @5:30pm

1 event, 6

2025-11-05

Conference: 5th ACM Conference on Equity and Access in Algorithms, Mechanisms, and Optimization, University of Pittsburgh, November 5-7, 2025

1 event, 7

2025-11-05

Conference: 5th ACM Conference on Equity and Access in Algorithms, Mechanisms, and Optimization, University of Pittsburgh, November 5-7, 2025

0 events, 8

0 events, 9

0 events, 10

1 event, 11

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Islamic Law Speaker Series: Youssef Belal (United Nations), “Thinking the World with Islamic Knowledges,” November 11, 2025 @12:30pm

November 11 @ 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Islamic Law Speaker Series: Youssef Belal (United Nations), “Thinking the World with Islamic Knowledges,” November 11, 2025 @12:30pm

TUE 11 NOV 2025 | 12.30-1.30p US EST | Zoom Islamic Law Speaker Series :: Youssef Belal (United Nations) "Thinking the World with Islamic Knowledges" Youssef Belal (United Nations) will present "Thinking the World with … Continue reading Islamic Law Speaker Series: Youssef Belal (United Nations), “Thinking the World with Islamic Knowledges,” November 11, 2025 @12:30pm

0 events, 12

1 event, 13

2025-11-13

Call for Papers: ASLH 2025 Annual Meeting, Detroit, MI, November 13-15, 2025

Call for Papers: ASLH 2025 Annual Meeting, Detroit, MI, November 13-15, 2025

November 13 - November 15

Call for Papers: ASLH 2025 Annual Meeting, Detroit, MI, November 13-15, 2025

From ASLH: "Call for Papers American Society for Legal History 2025 ASLH Annual Meeting (November 13 – 15, 2025) The Program Committee of the American Society for Legal History invites proposals for … Continue reading Call for Papers: ASLH 2025 Annual Meeting, Detroit, MI, November 13-15, 2025

1 event, 14

2025-11-13

Call for Papers: ASLH 2025 Annual Meeting, Detroit, MI, November 13-15, 2025

1 event, 15

2025-11-13

Call for Papers: ASLH 2025 Annual Meeting, Detroit, MI, November 13-15, 2025

2 events, 16

2025-11-16

Conference: Muslims in AI, Imperial College London, November 16, 2025

Conference: Muslims in AI, Imperial College London, November 16, 2025

November 16

Conference: Muslims in AI, Imperial College London, November 16, 2025

From the organizers: The 2nd Muslims in AI Conference, hosted by MRN–STEM Muslims, is happening at Imperial College London on Sunday, 16 November, inshā’Allāh. Join us for an inspiring day … Continue reading Conference: Muslims in AI, Imperial College London, November 16, 2025

2025-11-16

Call for Papers: Muslims in AI, Imperial College London, November 16, 2025

Call for Papers: Muslims in AI, Imperial College London, November 16, 2025

November 16

Call for Papers: Muslims in AI, Imperial College London, November 16, 2025

From the organizers: The 2nd Muslims in AI Conference, hosted by MRN–STEM Muslims, is happening at Imperial College London on Sunday, 16 November, inshā’Allāh. Join us for an inspiring day … Continue reading Call for Papers: Muslims in AI, Imperial College London, November 16, 2025

1 event, 17

6:15 pm - 7:30 pm

Workshop: Middle East Beyond Borders—Cem Turkoz (Harvard University), “Ottoman Natural Philosophy in Seventeenth-Century Context: The Evolution of the Canon,” November 17, 2025 @6:15pm

November 17 @ 6:15 pm - 7:30 pm

Workshop: Middle East Beyond Borders—Cem Turkoz (Harvard University), “Ottoman Natural Philosophy in Seventeenth-Century Context: The Evolution of the Canon,” November 17, 2025 @6:15pm

Cem Turkoz (PhD Candidate, NELC) will join us to share a chapter titled “Ottoman Natural Philosophy in Seventeenth-Century Context: The Evolution of the Canon” on November 17th. Efe Balıkçıoğlu (Associate, … Continue reading Workshop: Middle East Beyond Borders—Cem Turkoz (Harvard University), “Ottoman Natural Philosophy in Seventeenth-Century Context: The Evolution of the Canon,” November 17, 2025 @6:15pm

0 events, 18

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2 events, 20

2025-11-20

Call for Papers: International Conference “Poetry and Knowledge,” University of Münster, November 20-22, 2025

Call for Papers: International Conference “Poetry and Knowledge,” University of Münster, November 20-22, 2025

November 20 - November 22

Call for Papers: International Conference “Poetry and Knowledge,” University of Münster, November 20-22, 2025

From the organizers: In premodern Islamic societies, poetry was one of the central literary forms for transmitting and disseminating knowledge. Poetry can be found in almost all fields of knowledge, … Continue reading Call for Papers: International Conference “Poetry and Knowledge,” University of Münster, November 20-22, 2025

2025-11-20

Call for Papers: “Islam and Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities,” North American Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies, November 20, 2025

Call for Papers: “Islam and Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities,” North American Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies, November 20, 2025

November 20

Call for Papers: “Islam and Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities,” North American Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies, November 20, 2025

From the organizers: The North American Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies (NAAIMS) has issued a call for papers for a fall conference on “Islam and AI: Challenges and Opportunities.” … Continue reading Call for Papers: “Islam and Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities,” North American Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies, November 20, 2025

1 event, 21

2025-11-20

Call for Papers: International Conference “Poetry and Knowledge,” University of Münster, November 20-22, 2025

1 event, 22

2025-11-20

Call for Papers: International Conference “Poetry and Knowledge,” University of Münster, November 20-22, 2025

0 events, 23

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1 event, 30

2025-11-30

Call for Applications: The Abdallah S. Kamel Center at the Yale Law School for the Study of Islamic Law and Civilization 2026-2027 Research fellowship, November 30, 2025

Call for Applications: The Abdallah S. Kamel Center at the Yale Law School for the Study of Islamic Law and Civilization 2026-2027 Research fellowship, November 30, 2025

November 30

Call for Applications: The Abdallah S. Kamel Center at the Yale Law School for the Study of Islamic Law and Civilization 2026-2027 Research fellowship, November 30, 2025

The Abdallah S. Kamel Center at the Yale Law School for the Study of Islamic Law and Civilization will be accepting applications for its 2026-2027 research fellowships from November 1 until … Continue reading Call for Applications: The Abdallah S. Kamel Center at the Yale Law School for the Study of Islamic Law and Civilization 2026-2027 Research fellowship, November 30, 2025

  • There are no events on this day.
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October 31
All day

Call for Papers: American Society for Premodern Asia Annual Meeting, October 31, 2025

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
November 3
All day

Position Opening: Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Sharmin & Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies, Princeton University, November 3, 2025

November 3 @ 6:15 pm - 7:30 pm

Workshop: Middle East Beyond Borders—Ozkan Karabulut (Harvard University), “Scripturalization of the Alevi Mystical Poetry,” November 3, 2025 @6:15pm

  • There are no events on this day.
November 5
All day

Conference: 5th ACM Conference on Equity and Access in Algorithms, Mechanisms, and Optimization, University of Pittsburgh, November 5-7, 2025

November 5 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Lecture: “Law Between Self and Society: Collective Duties in Islamic Law—Past, Present, and Future” with Prof. Adnan A. Zulfiqar (Boston College), UC Irvine, November 5, 2025 @5:30pm

November 5
All day

Conference: 5th ACM Conference on Equity and Access in Algorithms, Mechanisms, and Optimization, University of Pittsburgh, November 5-7, 2025

November 5
All day

Conference: 5th ACM Conference on Equity and Access in Algorithms, Mechanisms, and Optimization, University of Pittsburgh, November 5-7, 2025

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
November 11
November 11 @ 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Islamic Law Speaker Series: Youssef Belal (United Nations), “Thinking the World with Islamic Knowledges,” November 11, 2025 @12:30pm

  • There are no events on this day.
November 13
All day

Call for Papers: ASLH 2025 Annual Meeting, Detroit, MI, November 13-15, 2025

November 13
All day

Call for Papers: ASLH 2025 Annual Meeting, Detroit, MI, November 13-15, 2025

November 13
All day

Call for Papers: ASLH 2025 Annual Meeting, Detroit, MI, November 13-15, 2025

November 17
November 17 @ 6:15 pm - 7:30 pm

Workshop: Middle East Beyond Borders—Cem Turkoz (Harvard University), “Ottoman Natural Philosophy in Seventeenth-Century Context: The Evolution of the Canon,” November 17, 2025 @6:15pm

November 16
All day

Conference: Muslims in AI, Imperial College London, November 16, 2025

All day

Call for Papers: Muslims in AI, Imperial College London, November 16, 2025

November 17
November 17 @ 6:15 pm - 7:30 pm

Workshop: Middle East Beyond Borders—Cem Turkoz (Harvard University), “Ottoman Natural Philosophy in Seventeenth-Century Context: The Evolution of the Canon,” November 17, 2025 @6:15pm

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
November 20
All day

Call for Papers: International Conference “Poetry and Knowledge,” University of Münster, November 20-22, 2025

All day

Call for Papers: “Islam and Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities,” North American Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies, November 20, 2025

November 20
All day

Call for Papers: International Conference “Poetry and Knowledge,” University of Münster, November 20-22, 2025

November 20
All day

Call for Papers: International Conference “Poetry and Knowledge,” University of Münster, November 20-22, 2025

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
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  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
November 30
All day

Call for Applications: The Abdallah S. Kamel Center at the Yale Law School for the Study of Islamic Law and Civilization 2026-2027 Research fellowship, November 30, 2025

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  • Staff Editors
    • Intisar Rabb, Editor-in-Chief
    • Maggie Sager, Managing Editor
  • Student Editors
    • Omar Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, Student Editor
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    • Mahmood Kooria, Guest Editor
    • Paolo Sartori, Guest Editor
    • Eirik Hovden, Guest Editor
    • Mohamed Aidarus Noor, Guest Editor
    • Katherine Lemons, Guest Editor
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  • Guest Contributors
    • M. Zubair Abbasi, Guest Contributor
    • Zahra Takhshid, Guest Contributor
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  • Past Editors & Contributors
    • Nathan Brown, Contributor
    • Mohammad Fadel, Contributor
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