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Islamic Law

Islamic Law, often referred to as Sharia, is a comprehensive system derived from the religious precepts of Islam, primarily based on the Qur'an and the Hadith, which are the sayings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad. The aspects of Islamic law encompass both public and private life, influencing social, political, and economic aspects in various Muslim-majority countries.

Sources of Islamic Law

Islamic jurisprudence, or Fiqh, relies on four main sources:

  1. Qur'an: The holy scripture of Islam, considered the word of Allah.
  2. Sunnah: The traditions and practices of Prophet Muhammad as recorded in the Hadith.
  3. Ijma: The consensus of the Islamic community or religious authorities, known as Ulama.
  4. Qiyas: Analogical reasoning applied to new legal issues not explicitly addressed in primary sources.

Branches of Islamic Law

Islamic law is divided into two primary branches:

Ritual Law (Ibadah)

This branch deals with the religious obligations of Muslims, including:

  • Salah: The five daily prayers.
  • Zakat: The almsgiving and charity obligation.
  • Sawm: Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
  • Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca.

Social Dealings (Muamalat)

Social dealings encompass a wide range of laws relating to interpersonal relations and societal norms, further categorized into:

Schools of Thought

Islamic jurisprudence has developed numerous schools of thought known as Madhhab. The most prominent among them are:

  • Hanafi: Known for its emphasis on reason and analogy.
  • Maliki: Focuses on the practices of the people of Medina.
  • Shafi'i: Emphasizes the role of Hadith.
  • Hanbali: Known for strict adherence to the Qur'an and Sunnah.
  • Ja'fari: Predominant in Shia Islam.

Modern Context

While traditional Islamic law has historically guided many aspects of life in Muslim societies, the modern era sees varying degrees of application. Some nations incorporate Sharia as a fundamental part of their legal system, such as Saudi Arabia, while others adopt secular laws alongside Sharia principles. The influence of Islamic law remains a dynamic and evolving aspect of governance and social order in the modern Islamic world.

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Islam

Islam is a major world religion, embodying a rich tapestry of beliefs, practices, and a profound history. It is an Abrahamic monotheistic faith based on the belief in the oneness and uniqueness of God, or Allah in Arabic. Islam's followers, known as Muslims, regard the Quran as the unaltered, final revelation and the verbatim word of God.

Core Beliefs and Practices

Central to Islam are the Five Pillars, which are considered the foundation of a Muslim’s faith and practice:

  1. Shahada: The Islamic declaration of faith, proclaiming the oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad.
  2. Salah: The performance of ritual prayers in a prescribed manner five times each day.
  3. Zakat: The giving of alms to the poor and needy, reflecting the social responsibility Muslims have to assist those less fortunate.
  4. Sawm: The fasting during the month of Ramadan, which involves abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset.
  5. Hajj: The pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca that every Muslim must undertake at least once in their lifetime, if financially and physically able.

The teachings of Muhammad, considered the final prophet in Islam, are an integral part of the religion, documented in accounts known as Hadith and together with the Quran form the basis for Sharia, or Islamic law.

Branches of Islam

Islam has several major branches, the two largest being Sunni Islam and Shia Islam, which differ in certain theological and political aspects:

  • Sunni Islam is the largest branch, which holds that Muhammad did not appoint a successor, and leadership should be based on consensus.
  • Shia Islam believes that Muhammad appointed his cousin and son-in-law Ali ibn Abi Talib as his successor.

Islamic World

The Islamic world, also referred to as the Muslim world, consists of the global community of Muslims, known as the Ummah. This community is not only a spiritual and religious collective but also a cultural and historical one.

Islamic Law

Sharia is the religious law forming part of the Islamic tradition, derived from the Quran and Hadith. It influences many aspects of daily life including family, finance, and personal conduct. Sharia is implemented in varying degrees across Islamic countries.

Islamism

Islamism refers to a range of political ideologies that advocate for the implementation and influence of Islamic principles in political systems. These ideologies exist in various forms and have differing interpretations and implementations across the Muslim world.

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