The sea and related legal rules in the Omani fiqh encyclopedias

The sea has played a pivotal role for Oman and its civilization. In turn, Omani civilization has left a major impact on the littorals of the Ocean, from East Africa to India to South Easr Asia and China. The research project identifies in how far Omani (fiqh) encyclopedias reflect these influences, in how far they gave credit to the seas, how the conceptualized the seas in different legal questions and chapters of fiqh, starting from rules of ritual purity and earning a livelihood to questions of taxation, trade, international relations and piracy. Fiqh compendia from the 3rd century to the late 19th centuries will be analyzed for this purpose. The research project will be bilingual in both Arabic and English.

The sea has played a pivotal role for Oman and its civilization. In turn, Omani civilization has left a major impact on the littorals of the Ocean, from East Africa to India to South Easr Asia and China. The research project identifies in how far Omani (fiqh) encyclopedias reflect these influences, in how far they gave credit to the seas, how the conceptualized the seas in different legal questions and chapters of fiqh, starting from rules of ritual purity and earning a livelihood to questions of taxation, trade, international relations and piracy. Fiqh compendia from the 3rd century to the late 19th centuries will be analyzed for this purpose. The research project will be bilingual in both Arabic and English.