Revival and Reform in Islam: The Legacy of Muhammad al-Shawkani (Cambridge Studies in Islamic Civilization) Illustrated Edition

I found this book to be an incredibly instructive introduction to Salafi thought and legal practice. Imam al-Shawkani, along with Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, is one of the principal scholars of the Salafi movement. This book situates al-Shawkani's life in the intricate context of Yemeni history and politics, but do not be put off by this because it repays the effort. Haykel is able to show how and why some scholars adopt a Salafi methodology and in so doing accumulate an awesome degree of authority and power. Among the many things I learned from this book is why the Salafis are obsessed with expelling non-Muslims from Arabia and what arguments they put forth for this against Muslims who disagree on this point. This topic it turns out was hotly debated in 18th-century Yemen, well before Shaykh Usama Bin Laden brought it up in more recent times.Khuda Hafiz, Ahsan ul-Haqq, Deoband, India

Excellent introduction to al-Shawkānī his works, views politics and social circumstances and his takes on major themes being debated at the time. As a student of his works thoroughly enjoyed this and found it useful