Fatwa and the Making and Renewal of Islamic Law. By Omer Awass. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2023. Pp. 284. $110.00 (cloth); $110.00 (digital). ISBN: 9781009260923.

In Fatwa and the Making and Renewal of Islamic Law, Omar Awass examines the formation and transformation of Islamic legal discourse and its impact on Muslim society by analyzing fatwas-religious legal opinions-throughout Islamic history.Historically, substantial aspects of Islamic law have evolved from the material contained within these fatwas.In the early stages of Islamic history, there were no formal laws providing guidance on religious and social matters.Instead, Muslims sought guidance on their religious practices by posing religious questions to early proto-jurists in the form of religious legal inquiries, the responses to which became known as fatwas.From this critical mass of fatwas, an Islamic legal doctrine took shape, leading to the emergence of a definitive corpus of Islamic law.Awass explores the discourse surrounding Islamic law and how it has evolved over time, particularly through the lens of fatwas, which have served as key sources of legal interpretation and guidance for Muslims.He elucidates how fatwas have played a central role in shaping Islamic legal norms and principles and how they have responded to the evolving socio-historical contexts of Muslim societies.By analyzing the evolution of fatwas and their impact on legal thought and practice, Awass provides insights into the dynamic relationship between Islamic legal discourse and Muslim societies throughout history.Awass not only delineates transformations within Islamic legal discourse via fatwas but also highlights their historical impact on Islamic civilization.Fatwas, originating from social and religious issues, serve as legal responses, reflecting societal changes.They either legitimize or hinder these changes.Additionally, fatwas stem from civil society, their dialogical nature facilitating exchanges between the public and muftis.Despite differing social status, seeking fatwas remains a dialogical process reflecting public concerns.Awass explains how the distinctiveness of ifta-the process that produces fatwas-is rooted in Islam's discursive sources, fostering its dialogical essence.Awass has meticulously organized the material in a chronological manner, beginning with the early stages of Islam and extending to the postcolonial Muslim world.Although Awass does not narrow down to particular periods, personalities, or geographical locales, he intricately weaves a narrative around the legal custom of ifta, a practice pivotal in the emergence of Islamic legal norms, methodologies, and institutional frameworks.Through