Beyond Legal Pluralism: Reframing the Dynamic Interaction between Shariah and State Law in Contemporary Muslim Societies
Published:
2025-12-31Downloads
Abstract
The discourse on legal pluralism has long been used to explain the coexistence of Shariah and state law in contemporary Muslim societies. However, existing approaches often remain descriptive, portraying this relationship as a static duality rather than a dynamic and evolving interaction. This study challenges conventional legal pluralism by proposing a reconceptualization of the relationship between Shariah and state law as a negotiated and adaptive legal interface shaped by socio-political, institutional, and epistemological forces. Employing a qualitative conceptual approach grounded in socio-legal theory and Islamic legal studies, this research develops a novel framework termed Dynamic Legal Interaction (DLI). The findings reveal that the interaction between Shariah and state law is not merely coexistence but a continuous process of translation, contestation, and integration, where authority is redistributed across religious institutions, state actors, and societal practices. This study advances a theoretical shift from pluralism as coexistence to pluralism as interactional governance, thereby offering a more nuanced understanding of legal hybridity in Muslim contexts. By reframing legal pluralism through a dynamic lens, this research contributes to global socio-legal scholarship and provides a transformative framework for analyzing the evolving role of Islamic law within modern state systems.
Keywords:
legal pluralism state law Islamic law socio-legal studies governance legal hybridityReferences
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