Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #295193 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-15
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 232 pages

Synopsis
This study focuses on a Muslim legal science known in Arabic as usul al-fiqh. Whereas the kindred science of fiqh is concerned with the articulation of actual rules of law, this science elaborates the theoretical and methodological foundations of the law. "The Spirit of Islamic Law" outlines the prominent features of Muslim juristic thought: espousal of divine sovereignty; a fixation on divine texts; an uncompromisingly intentionalist approach to the interpretation of those texts; a frank acknowledgment of the fallibility of human endeavor to capture divine intent; a toleration of legal diversity; a moralistic bent grounded in a particular social vision; and finally, a preoccupation with the affairs of private individuals - especially family relations and contracts - coupled with a concern to define the limits of governmental power.

Customer Reviews

The spirit of Islamic Law
This was a refreshingly new approach to Islamic Jurispudence - or usool fiqh.It lives very much to its title and presents the subject in a wholistic manner,avoiding nitty gritty details yet by no means superficial. Though perhaps this may be a disadvantage to those searching for detailed examples of legal probelms as discussed by early fiqh manuals.It is definitely alternative to the conventional survey of the four established sources of Islamic Law (Quran,Sunnah,Ijmah and Qiyas)that most books seem to offer.
The subject is analysed in the context and perspective of its historical development.
The book, and perhaps this is a refelction of the subject it self, does require serious concentration at times.
I found the sixth chapter-juristic authority and the diversity of Schools- most interseting and relevant to current internal idealogical conflicts within the islamic world.
On the whole a must be for any student of usool fiqh.