Ahmad Qabel and Contemporary Islamic Thought : Rational Shariah in Twenty-First-Century Iran

Lloyd Ridgeon offers an original examination of the writings of radical reformist Muslim thinker, Ahmad Qabel, whose work sought to rationalise and modernise Islamic law. With chapters covering a broad range of topics and extended translations from Qabel's writings, Ridgeon illuminates the significance of Qabel's ideas and arguments.

Ahmad Qabel (1954–2012) was one of the key figures in the ''New Religious Thinking'' trend of reformist thought, whose radical views were some of the most daring of his generation, seeking to rationalize and modernize Islamic law. In this comprehensively researched and accessibly written book, Lloyd Ridgeon offers an original examination of Qabel''s writings, including his seminal work Shari''at-e ''Aqlani (Rational Shariah). Throughout his career, Qabel crossed many political and religious redlines, resulting in several prison terms and hastening his premature death while under hospital arrest. Chapters covering topics from jurisprudence and politics to gender relations and society unravel Qabel''s worldview, introducing and illuminating his work for all readers. With extended translations from Qabel''s compositions, including two whole chapters from Shari''at-e ''Aqlani, Ridgeon offers the necessary context to understand the resounding significance of Qabel''s ideas and arguments.