Islam and Disability

Abstract

Dr. Ghaly’s Islam and Disability is an important contribution to the study of disability in Islamic law and theology, especially since only in recent years (according to Ghaly, since 1997 [p. 3]) has this subject been treated as an independent field of research and not much has been published on it so far. This book, based on the author’s Ph.D. dissertation, combines the results of thorough, intelligent, and meticulous research in Islamic theology, jurisprudence, ethics, and medicine – all in respect of people with disabilities. It is well written and almost flawless, its wealth of transliterations and endnotes notwithstanding. The author uses classical as well as contemporary sources in Arabic, whereby he surveys and compares a wide range of opinions on topics related to law, theology, history, Hadith, Qur’an commentaries, and more (pp. 219-34). A long list of references in other languages was also consulted (pp. 235-46), as well as a few unpublished manuscripts (pp. 234-35) ...