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Religious Legal Systems

A guide to research on religious legal systems through the Dalhousie Libraries

Introduction to Shari'a Law (Islamic)

Sharia, or “Islamic law,” is derived from commands in the basic texts of Islam, the Quran and Hadith. The name derives from an archaic Arabic word denoting “pathway to be followed.”  Abdal-Haqq (2002), 27.​

The Primary Sources of Sharia which are considered infallible are:

  • the Qur’an​
  • the Sunnah (traditions of Muhammad ibn Abdullah, the last prophet of Islam)​
  • the things he said, Hadith, ​
  • the way he lived his life, his conduct ​

The Subordinate Sources that are not considered infallible and may change are:

  • Islamic Jurisprudence and or fiqh. ​

Marylin Johnson Raisch "Islamic Law - Introduction", Religious Legal Systems in Comparative Law – A Guide to Introductory Research (2022), online: GlobaLex <https://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/Religious_Legal_Systems1.html#islamic-law>.

Research Guides on Shari'a (Islamic Law)

Interpretation of the Qur'an

Texts and Commentary

Law Journals