Dar al-Islam Revisited: Territoriality in Contemporary Islamic Legal Discourse on Muslims in the West

Where is dar al-islam, and who defines its boundaries in the 21st century? In Dar al-Islam Revisited. Territoriality in Contemporary Islamic Legal Discourse on Muslims in the West, Sarah Albrecht explores the variety of ways in which contemporary Sunni Muslim scholars, intellectuals, and activists reinterpret the Islamic legal tradition of dividing the world into dar al-islam, the territory of Islam, dar al-harb, the territory of war, and other geo-religious categories. Starting with an overview of the rich history of debate about this tradition, this book traces how and why territorial boundaries have remained a matter of controversy until today. It shows that they play a crucial role in current discussions of religious authority, identity, and the interpretation of the shari'a in the West.