Shari'ah Law: An Introduction

Oxford, England: Oneworld Publications - A Oneworld Book, 2010. First Edition . Trade Paperback. Fine. 6" x 9. 336 Pages Indexed. Brand new condition book with interior text pages near flawless. Providing a comprehensive and accessible examination of Shariah Law, this well considered introduction examines the sources, characteristic features and various 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 Shariah-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. Professor Dr Hashim Mohammad Kamali is the Dean of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC) at the International Islamic University, Malaysia. Contents in Thirteen Chapters: Introduction, Nature Sources and Objectives of Shari'ah, Characteristic Features of Shari'ah, The Leading Schools of Law (Madhdhib), Disagreement (Ikhtilaf) and Pluralism in Shari'ah, Goals and Purposes (Maqasid) of Shari'ah History and Methodology, Legal Maxims of Fiqh (Qawa'id al-Kulliyyah al-Fiqhiyyah), Independent Reasoning (Ijtihad) and Juristic Opinion (Fatwa), Shari'ah and the Principle of Legality, Democracy Fundamental Rights and the Shari'ah, Beyond the Shari'ah An Analysis of Shari'ah-oriented Policy (Siyasah Shar'iyyah), Adaptation and Reform, and Reflections on Some Challenging Issues.