In light of recent developments in the field, we convened a three-month Roundtable on Islamic Legal History and Historiography to take stock of the state of the field. Leading and emerging scholars of Islamic law and history weighed in on varied approaches to questions of history and historiography. Following Professor Intisar Rabb’s introductory essay on “methods and meaning in Islamic Law” they answered key questions about pressing questions of Islamic law and legal history today. 21 scholars contributed 21 essays to this 2021 Roundtable, and most will gather to discuss their ideas live via Zoom this Friday. Contributing scholars include Rula Jurdi Abisaab, Michael Cook, Metin Cosgel, Bogac Ergene, Maribel Fierro, Ersilia Francesca, Robert Gleave, Najam Haider, Wael Hallaq, Haider Hamoudi, Marion Katz, Irene K. F. Kirchner, Joseph Lowry, Carl Petry, Intisar Rabb, Yosef Rapoport, Marina Rustow, Ahmed El Shamsy, Sohaira Siddiqui,  Petra Sijpesteijn, Elizabeth Urban, and Hiroyuki Yanagihashi.

 After publishing twenty one essays throughout December, January, and February, the Roundtable will culminate this week, on Friday, March 5th, 12:00-1:30 pm EST in a live webinar over Zoom. During the Roundtable webinar, contributing scholars will reflect on and deliberate the larger themes, lingering questions, and ongoing debates in the field.

Roundtable Editors:

Intisar A. Rabb (Harvard Law School)
Mariam Sheibani (University of Toronto)