A Common Justice

Inquiring of “Beelzebub”: Timothy and al-Jāḥiẓ on Christians in the ʿAbbāsid Legal System

“…Simonsohn says this particular passage shows a degree of moderation on the part of the East Syrians compared to their West Syrian cousins. 57 It might rather be political acumen that is more readily demonstrated here. Indeed, once the referents are clear, the language of these scripture passages seems considerably harsher than anything the West Syrians would dare to write.…”

The Introduction and Formalization of Civil Law in the East Syrian Church in the Late Sasanian–Early Islamic Periods

“…70 In my survey of countless instances in which ecclesiastical authorities issued canon laws and regulations admonishing Christians to restrict their litigations to ecclesiastical courts I found support to the idea that Christians often sought the judicial services of extra ecclesiastical and extra confessional judicial authorities. 71 In considering East Syrian ecclesiastical attitudes towards extra-ecclesiastical litigation in tandem with similar West Syrian and Jewish Rabbanite treatments of the problem, I speak of the central role played by confessional judiciaries in endeavors to safeguard confessional boundaries. The extension of the judicial purview of ecclesiastical judges onto civil matters was thus meant to elevate the appeal of litigation in ecclesiastical courts.…”

“…40 Here, the utility of new laws was not merely in regulating norms and enhancing ecclesiastical control, but also in their formulation in a language that emphasized communal hierarchy and separateness. 41 Shortly after Mār Abā, two canons issued by catholicos Ishoyahb I (r. 582-96), the first issued in a synod in 585 and the second as an answer to bishop Yaqob of Dīren in the same year, also touch upon matters of lay inheritance. 42 Morony notes that by the end of the Sasanian period East Syrian authorities had at their disposal no less than a body of canon law by which an East Syrian communal membership could be fully applied.…”