Introduction to Islamic Law: Principles of Civil, Criminal, and International Law under the Shari‘a Paperback – November 27, 2013

I am just beginning study of sharia. This book has been a big help in getting going. I'd describe it as a good primer.

This book was exactly what I thought it would be- Very informative. It’s a plethora of information, definitely get this book if you want a REAL explanation of what life is like for citizens in an Islamic state.

This is a good companion to the book titled the laws of Islam.

Gave me new insight into the Islamic law and religion. Worth the price.

Just as described

Jonathan Burns' Introduction to Islamic Law, in 162 pages, takes the reader on a tour d'horizon of the content of Islamic law and its methodology. I highly recommend this systematic study to any student who is interested in Islamic law as well as to lawyers practicing in Islamic law jurisdictions such as Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and beyond. As a corporate lawyer practicing law in Saudi Arabia, I have found the sections on contracts, property and finance particularly useful.Mr Burns presents a balanced, methodical approach to "discovering" the basic principles of Islamic law. The book begins by exploring the foundations of Islam and the primary sources of Islamic law: the Qurʾân, the Sunna and Ḥadîth, Ijmâʿ (unanimous consensus) and qiyâs (analogical reasoning). On this basis, the author examines civil law (including contracts, property, family law and banking and finance), criminal law and international law (with a focus on the law of war) under the Sharî`a.The book serves as a well-researched summary of the key concepts of Islamic law. In most areas, such as the requirements for the formation of a contract or for the dissolution of a marriage, the book presents the view captured by the general consensus as to applicable rules. In other areas subject to considerable debate among scholars, such as the question of the Islamic State or the punishment applicable for apostasy, the author presents the various positions of Islamic jurists and attempts to highlight which positions holds the majority approach. Where the position of one school relies on a Quranic verse as its source but another relies on a Sunna or Ḥadith, he attempts to reconcile both schools, with one rule serving as a qualifier of the other. Where two positions cannot be reconciled, the author adopts that which is most clearly supported by the Qur'an, the primary source of Islamic law.In this way, Mr Burns presents the Sharî`a as it is: a jurists' law, one that relies on the reasoned interpretations of scholars, known as `ulamâ' within Islamic communities. Burns thus does not present the Sharî`a as a static set of invariable rules but rather, as a set of principles that is subject to debate and varying interpretations among scholars. An excellent example of this approach can be found in his treatment of prohibited sexual intercourse under the Sharî`a (pp. 112-114). After a general introduction, he begins with the punishment for prohibited sexual conduct in the Qur'an: flagellation (p. 113). He then notes that "some commentators argue that there are certain accounts in the Sunnah that qualify this rule by creating a separate punishment for adultery (i.e., when a married individual engages in sexual intercourse with someone other than his or her lawful spouse). For example, one hadith states, `A man committed fornication with a woman. It was not known that he was married. So he was flogged. It was then known that he was married, so he was stoned to death'" (p. 113). After citing another ḥadîth, Burns turns to the arguments of opponents of stoning as punishment for prohibited sexual conduct, who:"note that these [ḥadîth] accounts are questionable, that they pertain to very specific circumstances, and that Muhammad never condoned stoning as a fixed punishment for adultery in all cases. Thus, for the avoidance of doubt, these commentators argue that the Qur'an should prevail and the punishment of flagellation only should be applied for all convictions of prohibited sexual conduct, including fornication, adultery, and rape. Unfortunately, some Islamic law jurisdictions and radical groups, in total contravention of the Holy Qur'an, have even applied the questionable stoning punishment on persons convicted of fornication, rather than adultery."This book serves as an excellent primer on the Sharî`a. I recommend it to a general audience that is interested in learning more about this timely topic, particularly in light of the ongoing debate on the application of Islamic law in the West. This book, and most notably the sections on the Islamic law of war, will also be of much avail to humanitarian workers, military officers and diplomats in the Middle East, especially in light of current events, where, as Mr. Burns so aptly points out, certain armed groups, in the name of "Islam," use tactics that are "wholly contrary to Islamic law including, for example, intentionally targeting civilian non-combatants" (p. 136).

The increased coverage that the Shariah has been receiving on various news outlets (especially with recent developments in the Middle East) spurred my interest in Islamic law. I sought an objective overview of the subject matter that did not adopt too pedantic an approach. Burns' work did not disappoint me. This brief treatise provides an overview of the content and methodology of Islamic law and treats the various schools (mathAhib) of Islamic law and the assorted arguments provided by different camps where interpretations and divergences exist with respect to specific legal points (e.g., when the death penalty versus flogging applies). This book is clearly written and easily accessible. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking an introductory text on Islamic law.

Jonathan has unique perspective that brings both accuracy and clarity, while putting complicated concepts into terms anybody can grasp and understand. Great work!