Islamic Law in ActionAuthority, Discretion, and Everyday Experiences in Mamluk Egypt

Islamic law during the Mamluk period (1250–1517) was shaped by a complex interplay of legal doctrine, royal authority, and everyday social dynamics. The study reveals that muhtasibs—legal officials regulating public behavior in Cairo and Fustat—operated with significant discretion, balancing juristic guidelines with the sultan’s policy demands. Their actions, documented in Mamluk-era chronicles, demonstrate how rules from both sources of authority intersected with economic, political, and personal factors to create nuanced legal scenarios. Case studies across devotional practices, crime, market regulation, and public order highlight the fluid nature of Islamic law in practice, challenging rigid interpretations and emphasizing its adaptive role in shaping societal norms.

Stilt, K. (2012). Islamic Law in ActionAuthority, Discretion, and Everyday Experiences in Mamluk Egypt. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199602438.001.0001