Against Islamic extremism : the writings of Muhammad Saʻid al-ʻAshmawy / edited by Carolyn Fluehr-Lobban.

Includes bibliographical references.

Introducing Muhammad Sa'id al-'Ashmawy to an English-Language Audience / Carolyn Fluehr-Lobban. Introduction to Humanism in Islam. Islam and the State: Islamist and Liberal Humanist Perspectives Contrasted. Context of al-'Ashmawy's Work: Extremist Militants in Egypt. Al-'Ashmawy's Thought in the Tradition of Islamic Reform. An Islamic Reformation? Islamic "Fundamentalism," Islamic Humanism, and Relations with the West. References Cited -- Pt. I. Islam, Judaism, Christianity: One Religion, One Vision, Many Paths. The Development of Religion. A Framework for the Coexistence of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam: Common Thread of Salvation -- Pt. II. Islamic Religion and Politics. The Relationship between Religion and Politics. The Caliphate Government in Islamic History. The Call for an Islamic Government. The Call for an Islamic Constitution in the State of Egypt -- Pt. III. Islamic Law and Contemporary Politics and Society. Interpretation of Texts in Egyptian Law and Islam.

Islamic Jurisprudence. Taxes, Zakat, and Sadaqa. The Veil in Egyptian Law and Islam. Militant Doctrine in Islam. Jihad or Holy War in Islam. Reforming Islam and Law. Islamic Law and Human Rights.

In the struggle against Islamic extremism, one of the first and most influential voices is that of Muhammad Sa'id al-'Ashmawy, former chief justice of the High Court of Cairo. He is widely recognized for the forcefulness of his writing in the intense struggle to redefine Islam in the modern world and especially for his courage in remaining in Egypt and standing up to extremists while under constant armed guard.

This volume makes available to Western readers the writings of a prominent intellectual of the modern Islamic world, carefully organized, edited, and introduced to contextualize al-'Ashmawy's political and ideological position.