Shari'ah Law

An Introduction

Mohammad Hashim Kamali

• Publisher: Oneworld Publications
• Year: 2008
• eBook ISBN: 9781780740379
• Subtopic: Islamic Theology

A world expert's introduction to the controversial subject of Islamic law Providing a comprehensive and accessible examination of Shari'ah Law, this well considered introduction examines the sources, characteristic features, and schools of thought of a system often stereotyped for its severity in the West. In a progressive and graduated fashion, Mohammad Hashim Kamali discusses
topics ranging from juristic disagreement to independent reasoning. Also broaching more advanced topics such as the principle of legality and the role and place of Shari'ah-oriented policy, Kamali controversially questions whether Islam is as much of a law-based religion as it has often been made out to be. Complete with a bibliography and glossary, and both a general index and an index of Arabic quotations, this wide-ranging exploration will prove an indispensable resource for Islamic students and scholars, and an informative guide to a complex topic for the general reader.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Foreword
• Preface
• 1. Introduction
• 2. Nature, Sources and Objectives of Shari‘ah
• 3. Characteristic Features of Shari‘ah
• 4. The Leading Schools of Law (Madhahib)
• 5. Disagreement (Ikhtilaf) and Pluralism in Shari‘ah
• 6. Goals and Purposes (Maqasid) of Shari‘ah: History and Methodology
• 7. Legal Maxims of Fiqh (Qawa‘id al-Kulliyyah al-Fiqhiyyah)
• 8. Independent Reasoning (Ijtihad) and Juristic Opinion (Fatwa)
• 9. Shari‘ah and the Principle of Legality
• 10. Democracy, Fundamental Rights and the Shari‘ah
• 11. Beyond the Shari‘ah: An Analysis of Shari‘ah-oriented Policy (Siyasah Shar‘iyyah)
• 12. Adaptation and Reform
• 13. Reflections on Some Challenging Issues
• Conclusion
• Bibliography
• Glossary
• General index
• Index of Arabic quotations