Piety Politics and Everyday Ethics in Southeast Asian Islam

This book explores the diversity and dynamism of Islam in Southeast Asia through the concept of <i>adab</i> or beautiful behavior. Amid the complexity of Islamic civilization <i>adab</i>provides Muslims with a shared sense of sacred history identity and morality. In the context of Islamic ethics <i>adab</i>defines the rules of personal and public etiquette: good manners proper conduct civility and humaneness. <br/> <br/> Featuring the interdisciplinary research of nine prominent scholars of Islam the book offers new perspectives on <i>adab</i>'s multiple meanings and myriad applications for Muslim communities in Malaysia and Indonesia. The chapters examine a wide range of texts spotlighting the writings of prominent Muslim thinkers and contexts focusing on the everyday experiences of lay Muslims. Drawing on a variety of theoretical and methodological lenses the essays reveal how beautiful behavior impacts local institutions cultural practices and religious imaginations via politics and law spirituality and piety ethics and experience. <br/> <br/> With its careful textual analysis detailed case studies and attention to historical continuities and disjunctures <i>Piety Politics and Everyday Ethics in Southeast Asian Islam</i> is essential reading for students and scholars interested in global Islam and the lived local dynamics of Muslim Southeast Asia.