Introduction: The Sufis and Legal Theory The Sufis and Uul al-fiqh Part One: Mysticism, Traditionalism, and the School of Mercy Chapter 1: The Schools of Law Ijtihad and the Science of Legal Theory Hadith vs Sunna Rationalists vs Traditionalists The Traditionist-Jurisprudents The Great Synthesis and the Four Madhhabs The ahiris Chapter 2: Sufis and Traditionalism Sufis and Fiqh Affinities between the Mystics and Traditionalists Conceptions of Sainthood Among the Traditionalist Movement The Mystics and the Schools Chapter 3: Al-Tirmidhi''s Critique of Rationalism A Brief Sketch of Tirmidhi''s Life and Intellectual Upbringing Tirmidhi and Jurisprudence ikma: The Spiritual Wisdom Behind the Divine Prescriptions Tirmidhi''s Conception of Ijtihad The Law is Mercy Conclusion Chapter 4: Ibn Arabi''s Traditionalism The life of Ibn Arabi The Intellectual Environment in Andalusia The Influence of Eastern Mystics and Sufis Mysticism, Traditions and Traditionalism Ibn Arabi and the Works of Ibn azm Chapter 5: The Akbari Madhhab: Ibn Arabi''s School of Mercy Ibn Arabi and ahirism Original Licitness and The Ease Principle Divine Pardon and Mercy Ibn Arabi''s Position on Ijtihad Taqlid, Pluralism and God''s Mercy Summary Did Ibn Arabi Have His Own Madhhab? Chapter 6: Loyalty to the Akbari Way: Abd al-Wahhab al-Sharani Abd al-Wahhab al-Sharani Sharani''s Writings on Ibn Arabi The Removal of the Fog Part Two: Mercy in Flexibility: A Path for All Mankind Chapter 7: The All-Comprehensive Nature of the Sharia: From Tirmidhi to Suyui The Early Concept of Leeway The Position of the Four Madhhabs Ibn anbal and the Traditionalists Al-akim al-Tirmidhi Ibn Arabi Taqi al-Din al-Subki Al-Suyui Difference of Perspective Chapter 8: The ''Scale'' of Abd al-Wahhab al-Sharani The Scale The Sufi Ideas Underlying the Theory The Concept of Leeway vs the Concept of Abrogation Sharani''s Defence of the Madhhabs Why Sharani Wrote the Mizan The Problem of Talfiq Part Three: The Akbari Madhhab in Practice and its Influence on the Modern World Chapter 9: Amad ibn Idris and the Implementation of Ibn Arabi''s Jurisprudence in the 19th Century The Importance of Amad ibn Idris His Education Ibn Idris as Teacher Ibn Idris as Heir to Ibn Arabi Ibn Idris''s Study of the Jurisprudential Sections of the Futuat Chapter 10: The Teachings and Influence of Amad ibn Idris The Teachings of Ibn Idris on Ijtihad The Idrisi Tradition and Beyond Chapter 11: From Ibn Arabi to the Salafis The Hijaz Revival Shah Wali-Allah and the Indian Ahl-i Hadith Movement The Iraqi and Moroccan Revivalists The Damascene Salafiyya Mamud Khaab al-Subki''s al-Jamiyya al-Shariy Conclusion The Spirit of the Law: Competing Visions Appendix: The Classical Juristic Debate on Whether or not Every Mujtahid Was Correct Al-Ghazali and Infallibilism Ibn Arabi, Suyui and Sharani.