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Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring
Islamic law is one of the major legal systems in the world today, yet it is often misunderstood, particularly in the West. It is applicable in different forms as part of state law in countries across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, and also has a strong influence on Muslim communities throughout the Western world.
This Very Short Introduction provides an authoritative perspective on the evolution and nature of Islamic law. Mashood A. Baderin considers its theory, covering the history and nature of Islamic jurisprudence; its scope, covering Family Law, Inheritance Law, Financial Law, Penal Law, and International Law; and, finally, its practice. He takes into account both classical and modern scholarly perspectives in examining the various facets of Islamic law, to provide an overview of this key legal system.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
List of contents
- Preface
- 1. Historical Development
- 2. The Nature of Islamic Law
- 3. Theory, Scope and Practice
- 4. Family Law
- 5. Law of Inheritance
- 6. Law of Financial Transactions
- 7. Penal Law
- 8. International Law
- 9. Administration of Justice
- 10. The Future of Islamic Law
- Further reading
- Index
About the author
Professor Mashood A. Baderin is Professor of Laws at SOAS, University of London. He specialises in Islamic Law, Human Rights, International Law, and Law and Development in Africa. His books include Islamic Legal Theory, Vol. 1, Ashgate Islamic Law Series, (2014); Issues in Islamic Law, Vol. 2, Ashgate Islamic Law Series, (2014); Islamic Law in Practice, Vol. 3, Ashgate Islamic Law Series, (2014); Islam and Human Rights: Selected Essays of Abdullahi An-Na'im, (2010); and Human Rights and Islamic Law (2003).
Summary
Islamic law is one of the major legal systems in the world today, yet it is often misunderstood, particularly in the West. This book provides a critical overview of the theory, scope, and practice of Islamic law, taking into account both classical and modern scholarly perspectives in examining the various facets of this key legal system.
Additional text
One of the strengths of this book is that it manages, despite its size, to include discussions of some of the big questions about Islamic law that currently divide the scholarly community...In general, this is a well executed book which is extremely readable and intelligently organized and will give those who are approaching Islamic law for the first time the confidence to delve further. It is exactly the sort of book I would recommend to students of Islamic law at all levels of study, as well as to general readers.
Report
The author of the book under review, does an excellent job in merging the fiqh (law) that is found in the classical and modern legal works with the law that is applied in today's world with all the unprecedented changes that have occurred in the last few centuries. His aim is to introduce the nature of Islamic law, the legal theory upon which the law is built, and also to shed light on some of its modern applications in Muslim countries...This introduction provides a good summary of the nature of Islamic law and many of its modern applications, which gives researchers and scholars a foundation to work with and expand on. Zahed Fettah, Muslim World Book Review
