Islamic Law and Quran Expert to Lecture on Prophet Muhammad

EVANSTON, Ill. --- David S. Powers, professor of Arabic and Islamic studies at Cornell University, will deliver the annual Edmund Perry Lecture at Northwestern University Wednesday, April 29.

Powers' lecture, titled "The Last Prophet," will take place at 5 p.m. in the Pick-Laudati Auditorium in the University's Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, 40 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston. Free and open to the public, the lecture honors the late Edmund F. Perry, who served for many years as chair of Northwestern's religion department.

Powers is known for his work on Islamic Law and Quran Studies. His most recent work on early Islamic history combines a socio-historical approach to the study of Islamic law with an innovative reading of sources on the formative period of Islam.

In the Perry Lecture, Powers will focus on the relationship of Muhammad with his adopted son, Zayd. Powers will argue that Muhammad's repudiation of Zayd and Zayd's subsequent martyrdom were conditioned by theological imperatives designed to facilitate the doctrine of the finality of prophecy.

For further information about the upcoming lecture sponsored by the University's religion department, call (847) 491-5488.