This survey of Islamic law combines Western and Islamic views and describes the relationship between the original theories of Islamic law and the views of contemporary Islamic writers. Covering the key topics in the area, including the history, sources and formation of Islamic law, the legal mechanisms, and the contemporary context, it is strong in its coverage of the modern perspective, which distinguishes this book from other texts in the field. The aim is to provide the student with a basic understanding of Islamic law and access to the complexity of the Islamic legal system. The language used is non-technical and understanding is aided with a supplementary detailed glossary and analytical indices.

About the Author

Mawil Izzi Dien is a senior lecturer in Islamic Studies at the University of Wales, Lampeter.

Reviews

"This book consists of eleven chapters that delineate basic information about several dimensions of Islamic law while simultaneously shedding light on some theological issues in the contemporary Muslim world with special reference to the future of Islamic law. . . This is one of the few books written on Islamic law to cover the key topics in the area as well as describe the relationship between the original theoris of Islamic law and the opinions of contemporary Islamic scholars. . . . Dien [also] provides a concise introduction to the topic and access to the complexity of the Islamic legal system. . . ." -Sixteenth Century Journal

" [T]his book . . . presents a scholarly approach to both the history and contemporary development of Islamic law." -Catholic Library World

"This work has a neat, lucid structure and, as such, will constitute a valuable aid to the study of a very complex subject . . . [This] book will be essential reading and I would certainly recommend it to both my undergraduates and postgraduates." -Professor Ian R. Netton, University of Leeds

"Mawil Izzi Dien has written a fine and well-researched book that is an excellent introduction to Sunni Islamic law, its terminology, and concepts, for those with some understanding of Islam. . . . This book will give anyone interested in pursuing any aspect of the law ample references with which to begin and ample reason to go back and reread many passages." -Cistercian Studies Quarterly

"Mawil Izzi Dien combines Western and Islamic views and describes the relationship between the original theories of Islamic law and the views of contemporary Islamic writers." -Theology Digest

Book Information
ISBN 9780268031749
Author Mawil Izzi Dien
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint University of Notre Dame Press
Publisher University of Notre Dame Press
Weight(grams) 337g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 11mm