Multicultural and Cross-Cultural Aspects of the Normans in Southern Italy, Sicily & North AfricaMain MenuThe Multicultural and Cross-Cultural Aspects of the Normans in Southern Italy, Sicily, and North AfricaIntroduction to the ProjectAn introduction from the author and creator of the projectThe Normans in Southern ItalyThe Normans in SicilyThe Normans in North AfricaVideo ReferencesCitationsJames J Walsh82e88f44989398ce3da36e519ea57a917fadcc70
Book on Sharia Law
1media/800px-Ibnhanbal_thumb.jpg2023-05-05T09:46:59-07:00James J Walsh82e88f44989398ce3da36e519ea57a917fadcc70428131This book served as the foundation of law and justice for Islamic nations throughout history. Each nation who implemented it had a governing body of jurists who would interpret, debate, and enforce the law from Sharia.plain2023-05-05T09:47:00-07:00James J Walsh82e88f44989398ce3da36e519ea57a917fadcc70
As the Normans moved their capital from Apulia to Palermo, the Normans found themselves surrounded on an island where the Muslim Berbers in the region established an administrative around Islamic law. Instead of imposing their own administrative system on the local Berbers, the Norman instead adapted and retained their system. This unique adoption of Islamic law in a Christian kingdom favored both the ruling Normans and the local Muslim population. Thanks to this decision, the influence of Muslim skills, thrift, and influence benefitted the kingdom by facilitating its progress and expanding its power politically and economically.
When further discussing the Norman adoption of Islamic law, we can also look at the decision to not replace local Muslim leaders with Norman or Christian ones. These local rulers maintained full control of the finances, treaty negotiations, administration of justice, and education systems. By doing this, the Normans were also able to enact new changes through local Muslim leaders. One example of Norman adoption of Islamic law was the practice of jizyah, which was a tax collection on people who lived under Muslim rule but did not follow the Muslim faith. By modifiying this tax, the Normans utilized this tax on the local population of Sicily, essentially creating a reliable and expansive source of revenue considering the amount of Muslims, Jews, and Byzantine Greeks living in the region.