Encyclopaedia of Islamic Jurisprudence

For the informed Muslim, the Encyclopedia serves as a handy reference guide to the four Sunni schools (madhhabs) and the one Shi`a. To other readers, it provides a fascinating immersion into the world of Islamic jurisprudence in all its complexities, commonsensical variation, and stunning dissimilarity from modern Western life. For unlike western legal systems where religious and legal spheres are kept separate, Islamic law is all-encompassing, directing all human actions. This is an excellent work for reviewing and familiarizing oneself with multi-faceted traditions of shari’a. Well-organized and concise, this work presents lucidly the unity and differences between the dominant Shi’a tradition and the four Sunni schools. The works focuses on the presentation of opinions and civil matters and religious ritual (e.g., marriage, inheritance, salaat, zakat, etc.) on the one hand, and knowledge about usul al-fiqh (legal theory/methodology) and the continuing relevance of Islamic law to modern economies and states on the other. Muslims will find it practical in their daily acts of faith. Non-Muslims will find it fascinating and a good reference for answering question regarding religious duties of Muslims. Encyclopaedia of Islamic Jurisprudence, comprising doctrines of the Sunis and Shias according to the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanbali Schools, with references to Original Arabic Sources and Decided Cases, compiled from authorities in Original Arabic and Persian with Explanatory Notes.