Islamic Law: Principles, Development and Contemporary Application

Abstract

Islamic law, or Shariah, is a codified legal code founded on divine revelation and the practices of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This article addresses the key principles of Islamic jurisprudence, the evolution of different schools of law, and the tension between consistency and change provided by devices like ijtihad (independent reasoning). It is a critical examination of challenges faced in applying Islamic law in nation-states today, i.e., the contradictions arising between traditional judgments and expectations of modern legal systems. It also addresses issues related to human rights, gender justice, and the integration of Islamic law in plural legal systems. The article attempts to provide a complete overview of the importance and application of Islamic law in the past as well as today.

Keywords: Islamic law, Shariah, Fiqh, Ijtihad, Taqlid, Legal schools, Contemporary application, Muslim countries, Human rights, Islamic jurisprudence