Piety, Politics, and Everyday Ethics in Southeast Asian Islam : Beautiful Behavior

Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Explore the vibrant diversity and dynamism of Islam in Southeast Asia through the lens of 'adab,' or beautiful behavior. This book illuminates how 'adab' fosters a shared sense of sacred history, identity, and morality within Islamic civilization. Discover the rules of personal and public etiquette, encompassing good manners, proper conduct, civility, and humaneness, as defined in Islamic ethics. Featuring interdisciplinary research from nine prominent scholars, this work offers fresh perspectives on the multifaceted meanings and applications of 'adab' for Muslim communities in Malaysia and Indonesia. The chapters delve into a range of texts, highlighting writings of key Muslim thinkers, and examine everyday experiences of lay Muslims. By drawing on diverse theoretical and methodological approaches, the essays reveal the profound impact of beautiful behavior on local institutions, cultural practices, and religious imaginations, influencing politics, law, spirituality, piety, ethics, and lived experience. With its meticulous textual analysis, detailed case studies, and attention to historical connections and divergences, this book is essential reading for students and scholars interested in global Islam and the local realities of Muslim Southeast Asia. Summary: A comprehensive exploration of Islam in Southeast Asia focusing on 'adab' (beautiful behavior), featuring research from leading scholars on its impact on ethics, politics, and daily life in Malaysia and Indonesia. Includes 256 pages in English, paperback format.