The Implications of Unbelief: Tracing the Emergence of Distinctively Shi˛i Notions Regarding the Food and Impurity of Non-Muslims

AbstractThe distinctively Shi˛i conception of non-Muslims as bearers of a contagious form of impurity emerges gradually, reaching its classical form only in the 5th/11th century. Contrary to common scholarly presumptions, Q. 9.28 does not constitute the point of origin for this conception but rather...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Islamic law and society 2011, Vol.18 (1), p.53-84
Main Author: Freidenreich, David
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AL-MUFĪD
AL-MURTADĀ
CHRISTIANS
FOOD
FOUR BOOKS
IMPURITY
JEWS
MAGIANS
MEAT
PEOPLE OF THE BOOK
SHI˛IS
SUNNIS
UNBELIEVERS
ZOROASTRIANS
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Summary:AbstractThe distinctively Shi˛i conception of non-Muslims as bearers of a contagious form of impurity emerges gradually, reaching its classical form only in the 5th/11th century. Contrary to common scholarly presumptions, Q. 9.28 does not constitute the point of origin for this conception but rather serves as retroactive justification for its validity. This essay utilizes Hadīth collections and works of law from the 2nd/8th through 5th/11th centuries to trace the emergence of Shi˛i notions regarding the impurity of non-Muslims and the parallel emergence of distinctively Shi˛i norms regarding the meat of animals slaughtered by non-Muslims. It concludes by suggesting that the differences between Sunni and Shi˛i notions regarding the food and impurity of nonMuslims reflect the different ways in which Sunnis and Shi˛i conceive of the Islamic community itself.
ISSN:0928-9380
1568-5195
0928-9380
DOI:10.1163/156851910X517074