Islamic Law: Main

Main textbook for the LL4097 Islamic Law course.

Description: One of the most salient issues confronting contemporary Muslim societies is how to relate the legal and political heritage that developed in pre-modern Islamic polities to the political order of the modern states in which Muslims now live. To address this, the central argument by the author is that liberal theory, and in particular justice as discourse, can be normatively useful in Muslim contexts for relating religion, law and state.

This text is recommended reading for Islamic law courses at several universities. It is written by Hallaq, a pre-eminent and established expert for Islamic legal studies, and Avalon Foundation Professor in Columbia University.

Description: Part 1 discusses pre-modern Islamic law, while Part 2 explains how it was transformed in the colonial period. It then charts recent developments and how Islamists have negotiated the changes. The book with its chronology, glossary and lists of further readings will serve as a helpful introduction for first time students learning the fundamentals of Islamic law.

The above 'Introduction to Islamic Law" by Hallaq served as a primer and "select abridgement" of this main work. This book would thus be appropriate further reading for a detailed treatment of Islamic law.

Description: Hallaq addresses how Shari'a has been appropriated as a tool of modernity in the Muslim world and in the West, while becoming highly politicized as a consequence. He carefully examines the doctrines and practices of Islamic law within the context of its history, ranging from its Arabian beginnings, the Ottoman transofrmation and its spread to India, Africa and South-East Asia. The author unravels the complexities of this subject which will inform, engage and challenge the reader.

This research guide examines the historical treatment of Islamic law and selected current issues of significance. The first part provides background information and an introduction to many of the issues that Shari'a addresses. The second part contains a concise yet comprehensive annotated bibliography of academic legal literature to assist those researching Shari'a. Individual sections cover primary sources (including statutes and case law), while subsequent chapters deal with secondary materials such as journals, treatises, and reference works on substantive areas of law.