Law

Principles of Islamic Law

Module code: M3121
Level 6
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Seminar
Assessment modes: Essay

Islamic law is based on the Quran, the practice of the Prophet Muhammad, and the writings of Muslim scholars and jurists. This makes it one of the oldest and most significant systems of law in the contemporary age.

Understanding Islamic law is crucial not only for Muslims, but for non-Muslims who work with Muslims in legal contexts, as well as for anyone wanting to understand the role of Islam in the world today.

This module will provide a critical overview of the history and practice of Islamic law. We will examine the basic concepts of Islamic law, its classification and the development of the classical schools of jurisprudence.

We will then consider the place of Islamic Law in the modern state and government. Placing Islamic law in the present context, this module will investigate the purposes, methodologies and processes of Islamic jurisprudence.

Module learning outcomes

• Evidence critical insight into the sources of Islamic law and its objectives
• Critically understand the schools of Islamic law and their methods of interpretation
• Critically understand the Islamic concepts of government and state
• Evidence in-depth understanding of the role of Islamic law in today's legal systems