Islamic Law in a Changing World

This subject is not offered in 2014.

This subject/unit introduces students to Islamic legal theory, its sources and principles, and how they are applied by different schools and scholars to derive religious verdicts. Students will study efforts to ‘.streamline’. Islamic law through a number of Sunni and Shia schools, various conceptions of shari’.ah, and modern attempts at law reform through scholarship and ijtihad (independent judgment). Upon completion, students should be able to explain developments in Islamic legal thought within their socio-historical contexts, and identify key debates among Muslim scholars. Using current case studies, students will also study Islamic law issues affecting Muslims today, especially Muslim minorities.

• have an introductory understanding of Islamic legal theory, its development, its sources and principles, and how they are applied by different schools and scholars to derive religious verdicts
• understand efforts to ‘.streamline’. Islamic law through a number of Sunni and Shia schools, various conceptions of shari’.ah, and modern attempts at law reform through scholarship and ijtihad (independent judgment)
• be able to explain developments in Islamic legal thought within their socio-historical contexts, and identify key debates among Muslim scholars
• be able to apply the theory studied to Islamic law related issues affecting Muslims today, especially Muslim minorities

Assessment totalling 4000 words (100%).

Class attendance is required for this subject; if you do not attend a minimum of 75% of classes without an approved exemption you will not be eligible for a pass in this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Materials prepared by the Centre

Wael B Hallaq, A History of Islamic Legal Theories: An Introduction to Sunni Usul al-Fiqh, New York: Cambridge University Press, 1997 Wael B Hallaq, Authority, Continuity and Change in Islamic Law, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001 Wael B Hallaq, The Formation of Islamic Law, Aldershot: Ashgate, 2004 Wael B Hallaq, The Origins and Evolution of Islamic Law, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005,

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• be familiar with research methods. thinking in theoretical and analytical terms.
• communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically, confidence in self-expression.
• able to understand social, political, historical and cultural contexts, and demonstrate and international awareness and openness to the world.