Reflections of Islamic Iʿmār Law on the Urban Space of Gharnāṭa (Granada): The Naṣrī Period (7th-9th / 13th-15th Centuries)

Authors : Fatma Hazar

Pages : 713-747

Doi:10.33227/auifd.1736129

View : 130 | Download : 238

Publication Date : 2025-11-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This article examines the influence of Islamic iʿmār law on urbanization processes in the city of Gharnāṭa (Granada) through concrete examples and fiqhī documents. Contrary to traditional orientalist approaches to urbanism, the study emphasizes that Islamic cities were shaped not only by physical forms but also by legal, religious, and social principles. Based primarily on the fatwās of Mālikī fuqahāʾ, qaḍāʾ records, and waqfiyya documents, the article analyzes how the concepts of public interest (maṣlaḥa), non-harm, ʿurf, and waqf institutions regulated the urban fabric in Granada. The scop of this article is limited to the Mālikī tradition in al-Andalus; therefore, its findings are not generalized to other regions of the Islamic world, where different madhhab traditions led to different urban practices. The study reveals the practical reflections of Islamic iʿmār law through key structures such as the Granada Grand Mosque, Māristān, and La Madraza. Methodologically, a qualitative research approach was employed, including textual analysis within the social sciences, supported by references to history, archaeology, and fiqh sources. By jointly evaluating textual and archaeological data through qualitative methods, the normative and material effects of Islamic law on urban space were approached multidimensionally. This examination, particularly focused on the impact of fiqh on iʿmār with the case of Granada, contributes significantly to the field literature. In conclusion, the research demonstrates that Islamic iʿmār law -especially through the influence of public interest (maṣlaḥa), ʿurf, and waqf institutions- was decisive in shaping the city of Granada. Rather than proposing a general model of Islamic urbanism, this study constitutes a case study within the Andalusi context that may provide a basis for comparative analyses with other Islamic cities.
Keywords : İslam Hukuku, İslam şehirciliği, İmar, Endülüs, Gırnata.

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