Nature of Islamic Law

Question 1

What does Abdal- Haqq say that ‘shari’ah’ refers to?

Answer 1

Shari’ah: canon law of Islam and encompasses God’s commandments

Question 2

Which Qur’anic verses give authority to the Sunnah?

Answer 2

Q4:80, Q33:21, Q33:26

Question 3

What does Islam mean in Arabic?

Answer 3

Submission

Question 4

According to Abdal- Haqq, what are the 4 types of hadiths?

Answer 4

1. the Prophet’s own words
2. the Prophet’s actions
3. The Prophet’s tacit approvals
4. descriptions of the Prophets physical attributes, personality, demeanor and disposition

Question 5

According to Baderin, what is Islamic Law?

Answer 5

A legal system based on religious sources and juristic traditions that has evolved over time

Question 6

In relation to Arabic terminologies, what can ‘Islamic Law’ denote?

Answer 6

1. Islamic law as a legal system
2. Islamic law as Islamic jurisprudence
3. Islamic law as applied law - related to the rulings

Question 7

What does Sunnah mean in Arabic?

Answer 7

An established practice that sets an example to be followed

Question 8

Why wasn’t the Sunnah written down during the Prophet’s lifetime?

Answer 8

To emphasise the supremacy of the Qur’an

Question 9

What are the 2 criteria for hadith verification?

Answer 9

1. The content of the hadith- must be logical and doesn’t contradict the Qur’an
2. Chain of transmission (isnad): must be of a high ethical standing and the transmitter following one previous must have lived in the same place or can be proven to have met

Question 10

According to Melchert, what suspicions did the proponents of r’ay and al-hadith hold against each other?

Answer 10

Proponents of r’ay: does the other have the capacity to make out the divine law?
Proponents of al-hadith: are the proponents of r’ay proper Muslims?