Beschrijving

The book “The Herb: Hashish versus Medieval Muslim Society” explores the complex social, religious, and legal attitudes toward hashish in the medieval Islamic world. It traces the historical emergence and spread of hashish use from the 12th century onward, examining how it became both a popular recreational substance and a subject of intense moral and theological debate. The author situates the discussion within the broader cultural and political dynamics of the time, showing how attitudes toward intoxication reflected deeper tensions between spiritual ideals and social realities. A central theme of the book is the clash between official religious doctrine and everyday practice. While Islamic law generally condemned intoxicants, hashish use persisted among various social groups, from mystics and poets to common laborers. The book analyzes the writings of religious scholars, jurists, and Sufi thinkers who either denounced or justified its use, revealing a rich spectrum of perspectives within medieval Islamic thought. In its broader interpretation, the work portrays hashish as a lens through which to understand medieval Muslim society itself—its struggles with morality, pleasure, authority, and social order. By combining historical documentation with cultural analysis, the author provides a nuanced picture of how a single substance could both challenge and reflect the moral fabric of an entire civilization.