The Context of Islamic Law

This chapter describes Islamic law. Islamic law is not the law of a single state, but rather a religious law of special importance, whose prominence has increased over the last few decades. It is therefore necessary to distinguish between Islamic law and the law in states with predominantly Muslim populations. The defining characteristic of Islamic law is its religious origin and character. In contrast to all state law, it is based on a God-given text, the Koran. Thus, at its core, it is itself divine in nature, not the product of mankind. This explains its special status and claims, but also its special problem. Meanwhile, the latter body of law is geared toward classical Islamic law to widely varying extents. Islamic law is by no means the only example of religious law, but other bodies of religious law—such as Jewish or canon law—are much less significant in the current times.