Alcohol in Islam: A Scholarly Perspective with Dr. Mustapha Sheikh
Episode Overview
Exploration of the Hanafi school's unique position on alcohol. Discussion on how alcohol is used as a teaching tool in Islamic studies. Analysis of historical and contemporary debates on alcohol in Islam. Challenge to orientalist perspectives on Islamic law. Insight into the evolving nature of Islamic jurisprudence.
Islam is a living tradition which and questions like the question of alcohol are always going to be the subject to debate and discussion.
Ever wondered about the intricate relationship between alcohol and Islamic law? This episode of 'New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery' dives into this fascinating topic with Dr. Mustapha Sheikh, a lecturer in Islamic Studies at the University of Leeds. Dr. Sheikh discusses his co-authored paper on alcohol, Islam, and the ontic, offering a deep dive into how alcohol is viewed through the lens of Islamic jurisprudence.
He explains how alcohol has been used as a teaching tool in his courses, sparking engaging and sometimes heated discussions among his students. The episode highlights the historical and contemporary debates within the Hanafi school of thought, which uniquely distinguishes between different types of alcoholic beverages and their permissibility based on their intoxicating effects. Dr. Sheikh also touches on the broader implications of these discussions, challenging orientalist perspectives and advocating for a more nuanced understanding of Islamic law.
If you're curious about how Islamic scholars navigate complex topics like alcohol and what this means for Muslims today, this episode is a must-listen. It's an enlightening conversation that sheds light on the dynamic and evolving nature of Islamic jurisprudence. Tune in to gain a deeper appreciation of the scholarly debates that shape our understanding of alcohol in Islam.