Acknowledgements
This book would not have been possible without the support of so many great people over the course of the last years, too many to name all. First and foremost, I want to thank Nadjma Yassari, who encouraged, supported, and inspired me in both good and bad times. I am very grateful to the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law in Hamburg, its always helpful staff, and the rest of the Hamburger Schule for their support, valuable feedback, and endless conversations on Islamic law and jurisprudence: Lena-Maria Möller, Tess Chemnitzer, Dörthe Engelcke, Shéhérazade Elyazidi, Sina Torshizi, Khashayar Biria, and Hendrik Brecht. Lauan al-Khazail proved to be an excellent partner for discussing the ideas of Ibn Taymiyya and Ibn al-Qayyim, while my debates on Arabic legal terms with Mustafa Mohammad were of great help for my translations.
I want to thank all of my interview partners, who took their valuable time to explain their ideas, understandings, and practices of Islamic law to an outsider. I was always, with no exception, received with great hospitality, respect, and patience. My thanks also go to the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS) and its staff in Riyadh, who kindly offered me a place to work and opened many doors for me in Saudi Arabia. I want to especially thank Majed bin Khunein, who tirelessly used all possible ways to put me in contact with Saudi jurists. I also want to express my gratitude to Sarah al-Dajani, who over the years shared her insights into the Saudi legal system with me and guided me through its complex structure. I am deeply indebted to Jan Krauser, without whom my fieldwork would not have been possible, who spontaneously offered me a place to stay in Riyadh, and with whom I shared many wonderful experiences.
Furthermore, I was lucky to receive great feedback from the academic community at conferences and in private conversations. I want to especially thank Rob Gleave for his support. I am deeply indebted to Frank Vogel. His groundbreaking work has paved the way for all further research on law in Saudi Arabia.
Last but not least, I want to thank Nina and my parents for their love and support.