Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence [Paperback]

Prof. Mohammad Hashim Kamali (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2005

This third edition of the best-selling title Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence has been completely revised and substantially enlarged. In this work, Prof Kamali offers us the first detailed presentation available in English of the theory of Muslim law (usul al-fiqh). Often regarded as the most sophisticated of the traditional Islamic disciplines, Islamic Jurisprudence is concerned with the way in which the rituals and laws of religion are derived from the Qur'an and the Sunnah—the precedent of the Prophet. Written as a university textbook, Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence is distinguished by its clarity and readability; it is an essential reference work not only for students of Islamic law, but also for anyone with an interest in Muslim society or in issues of comparative Jurisprudence.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'The best thing of its kind I have ever seen. Exactly the kind of thing I have wanted for years to put into the hands of students.' Professor Charles Adams (McGill University); 'This book is a valuable addition to existing Islamic jurisprudential literature in English ... remarkably successful.' The Muslim World Book Review.

About the Author

Dr Mohammad H. Kamali is Professor of Law at the International Islamic University Malaysia, where he has been teaching Islamic law and jurisprudence since 1985. Among his other works published by the Islamic Texts Society is 'Freedom of Expression in Islam'.

Product Details

• Paperback: 550 pages
• Publisher: Islamic Texts Society; 3 edition (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0946621829
• ISBN-13: 978-0946621828
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,285 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Islam > Law

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A treatise on Islamic law, its sources and history, July 27, 2005

By 

Francesco Lovecchio (Rome, Italy) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence (Hardcover)

This 390 pages book is a dense compendium (or treatise) of Islamic law for students and scholars. It is not for beginners and it is a tough reading. Since this textbook is for student of Islamic law written by an Islamic lawyer, this book assumes that the reader has a basic knowledge of both Qur'an and Shariah. The author is professor of law at the International Islamic University of Malaysia, founded in the 80s to be a center of excellence in several fields and sponsored by the Organization of Islamic Conference and other governments. The main language at the University is English and this text is mainly catered for those students. In the preface, the author says he had initiated the book while he was teaching Islamic Law to postgraduate students at McGill University in Montreal. However, it does not offer international comparisons with other Western legal systems. The book devotes a lot of space to the rules of interpretations of the law within a historical context. So you get Islamic law and history to explain its developments within the several traditions in the Islamic world. It is divided in 19 chapters that span from the Source of the law (Quar'an and Sunnah); Rules of interpretations; Abrogation; Analogical deduction; Revealed laws preceding the Shariah; Equity in Islamic law; Public interest; Custom; Conflict of evidences etc. The author shows a scholarly detachment from the subject and therefore don't expect moral judgments of value on a specific norm, whether it is right or wrong, but only a legal analysis. It is a worthy reading for those who have an interest, other than in Islamic law, in Political Science, International relations and Islamic civilization.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of Its Kind, December 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence (Islamic Texts Society) (Paperback)

I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Islamic Law, either Muslim or not. To my knowledge, it is the best book available of its kind in the english language. In these days of many extremes, it is essential to erase our ignorance with knowledge.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A five star contribution to the understanding of Islamic law, May 10, 2007

By 

Gogol (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence (Paperback)

An excellent book covering the principles of 'Usul al-Fiqh' or the fundamentals of Islamic jurisprudence according to the four sunni schools of Islam.

The book begins with an introduction to the principles of Islamic jurisprudence and a short history of its development before the author covers its understanding (which is far more complicated than what some modern so called 'experts' on the middle east (and yes, I am talking about Pipes (a man who thinks Muhammad may have not even existed! (see his reviews) and the rabble of pseudo 'scholars' (such as the author of 'Politically incorrect guide') who cant even speak a word of Arabic and the equally useless (unless your a tabloid journalist) fanatics would have you believe)

The author further covers the development of Usul during the last few centuries especially concerning the controversial issue of Ijtihad and the attempts over the centuries to revive it.

An excellent read but not one that can be taken lightly. It will need to be read and read again, this is a book for serious study.