Origin of Muslim Law:

Image Credit: english.madhyamam.com

Muslim law claims its origin from divinity. Thus the primary source of Muslim Law is divine revelation which has been of two kinds – Express and Implied.

The Express revelation consists in Quran which contains the direct revelation from God in his own words. A hadis and Sunna i.e. traditions are implied revelations through Prophet Muhammad. The divine legislator delegated this power of making laws to the Prophet Muhammad. The precepts and every word and saying of the prophet constitutes the Muslim law and they are believed to be in accordance with the communications from Allah. The notable peculiarity of this system is the complete identification of its origin with the personality of the prophet.

In the later days, the disciples of the prophet have refined and polished these principles. Scholars describe the Arabic word Sharia as “Pathway to be followed”. Shariya or Islamic law was systematised during 8^th and 9^th centuries.

Islamic law in application constitutes a system of duties that are incumbent upon a Muslim by virtue of his religious belief. The law constitutes divinely ordained path of conduct that guides Muslims towards a practical expression of religious conviction in this world to come.

A Muslim is a person who follows the religion of Islam. There are two main ways in which a person can be regarded as a Muslim:

1) Muslim by birth:

a) Believes in One God,

b) Prophet-hood of Muhammad

2) Muslim by conversion

a) Converts by profession of Islam

b) Converts by formal ceremony

Thus these are the minimum and fundamental rules for a person to be called a Muslim.

==========

Thanks for reading. Please share and follow this blog for more law notes.