Mohammed Abed Al-Jabri’s Democracy, Human Rights and Law in Islamic Thought explores these issues from a critical perspective, making it a unique and important contribution to contemporary Arab scholarship in the social sciences. This two-volume work is divided into two parts: Volume I focuses on the question of religion and the state, while Volume II addresses democracy and human rights.

In Volume I, Al-Jabri provides a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between religion and state in Islam, focusing on the conduct of the Companions of the Prophet at the time of the Rashidun Caliphs. He argues that their example provides a useful authoritative referent for contemporary debates about religion and state. Al-Jabri also examines the application of Islamic law (shariah) and the role of ijtihad, or interpretive jurisprudence, in shaping Islamic thought.

Volume II continues this analysis by examining the concept of democracy and its historical role in the Arab world. Al-Jabri explores contemporary Arab ideology, which often expresses doubts about democracy, and argues that civil society and the elites in the Arab world often fear democracy. He also discusses the role of human rights and the need to enhance awareness of these rights in the Arab world.

Throughout the two volumes, Al-Jabri emphasizes a critical and analytical approach to Islamic thought, urging his readers to re-examine their assumptions and to think deeply about the issues at hand. His work is a vital contribution to contemporary Arab scholarship in the social sciences and will be of interest to anyone interested in the intersection of religion, law, and politics.