Patronate and Patronage in Early and Classical Islam

This book deals with patronate and patronage (wala') of early and classical Islam. Though Webster's Third has the term "e;mawla,"e; the concept remains very difficult to come to grips with. Fourteen contributions by renowned scholars analyze the social and cultural phenomenon of wala' from various angles. As a whole, the book conveys what we presently know about patronate and patronage during the first four centuries of Islam. Inasmuch as the contributors have used different methods - from a close rereading of primary sources to the application of social theory and quantitative analysis - the book additionally offers an overview of methodologies current in the field of Islamic Studies.