Providing a comprehensive and accessible examination of Shari’ah Law, this well considered introduction examines the sources, characteristic features, and schools of thought of a system often stereotyped for its severity in the West. In a progressive and graduated fashion, Mohammad Hashim Kamali discusses topics ranging from juristic disagreement to independent reasoning. Also broaching more advanced topics such as the principle of legality and the role and place of Shari’ah-oriented policy, Kamali controversially questions whether Islam is as much of a law-based religion as it has often been made out to be. Complete with a bibliography and glossary, and both a general index and an index of Arabic quotations, this wide-ranging exploration will prove an indispensable resource for Islamic students and scholars, and an informative guide to a complex topic for the general reader.

Professor Dr Hashim Mohammad Kamali is the Dean of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC) at the International Islamic University, Malaysia.

“Authoritative and comprehensive. An extremely valuable resource for scholars and students of Islamic legal studies.”
Abdullahi An-Na`im – Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law at Emory University

“An extremely valuable work and a useful companion for students of law, Islamic studies and Muslim world affairs. A balanced, comprehensive and progressive exposition of Islamic legal thought.”
Mahmood Ahmad Ghazi – President, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan