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An Introduction to Islam

Sharia, the law schools and systems of government

  • 3 things to know
  • AS

Overview

Sharia and distinguish it from fiqh, five categories into which actions are classified and maqasid al-shari'ah.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Define sharia and distinguish it from fiqh.

Key term

Where does each Sunni school predominate?

Key term

Do the differences between the schools amount to division?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Define sharia and distinguish it from fiqh.

    Model answer

    Sharia is the divinely given path for human life, drawn from the Qur'an and the sunnah, while fiqh is the scholars' understanding and elaboration of it; sharia in itself is held to be perfect, whereas fiqh is human work and may be disputed or revised.

  2. 2

    Name the five categories into which actions are classified.

    Model answer

    Actions are classified as obligatory, recommended, neutral, discouraged or forbidden, so the law addresses far more of life than the small number of things it actually commands or bans.

  3. 3

    Define the maqasid al-shari'ah.

    Model answer

    The maqasid are the higher purposes the law is held to protect: religion, life, intellect, family and lineage, and property, and scholars appeal to them when a text does not directly settle a case.

  4. 4

    Name the four Sunni schools of law and their founders.

    Model answer

    The four Sunni schools are the Hanafi, from Abu Hanifa, the Maliki, from Malik ibn Anas, the Shafi'i, from al-Shafi'i, and the Hanbali, from Ahmad ibn Hanbal.

  5. 5

    Where does each Sunni school predominate?

    Model answer

    The Hanafi school predominates in Turkey, Central and South Asia, the Maliki across North and West Africa, the Shafi'i in East Africa and Southeast Asia, and the Hanbali in the Arabian peninsula.

  6. 6

    Which school do most Shi'a Muslims follow?

    Model answer

    Most Shi'a Muslims follow the Ja'fari school, named after Ja'far al-Sadiq, which admits reasoning as a root of law and gives living scholars a continuing role in guiding the faithful.

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