Islamic Law

RAHN (رهن‎)
Explore the concept of RAHN in Islamic law, its legal implications, and its scriptural basis. Understand the practice of pledging or pawning and its relevance in the daily life of Muslims.
Music in Islam: Definition, Etymology, and Divergent Views
Explore the concept of music (mūsīqā) in Islamic traditions, including its etymology, historical perspectives, and theological debates. Understand the varying views among Islamic scholars regarding music.
ẔABĪḤAH (ذَبِيحَة‎)
Explore the term 'ẔABĪḤAH,' its origins, cultural significance, and its importance in Islamic law. Learn about the rules surrounding Ẕabīḥah and its role in defining lawful food and sacrifices in Islam.
Abu Hanifah, al-Numan ibn Thabit ibn Zuta
Founder of the Hanafi school of Islamic law, noted for his use of reason and logic in jurisprudence and his emphasis on personal reasoning and free judgment in legal interpretation.
Abu Yusuf
An influential Islamic jurist and scholar, key figure in the spread of the Hanafi school of thought.
Abu Zahra, Muhammad
Conservative Egyptian public intellectual and scholar of Islamic law
Adoption
Learn about the term 'Adoption,' its implications, and usage in Islamic context. Understand the regulations surrounding adoption (Tabannī) in Islamic law, and its comparison with other legal systems.
Adoption in Islam
The concept and regulations of formal and informal adoption in Islam according to the Qur'an and Islamic law.
Al-Kitāb al-Ḥukmī (الكتاب الحكمى‎) in Islamic Legal Tradition
Explore the term 'Al-Kitāb al-Ḥukmī,' its etymology, legal implications, and how it functions within Islamic judicial processes. Understand its role in conveying legal decisions and real evidence across different Islamic jurisdictions.
Al-Quduri
Al-Quduri: Prominent Hanafī Scholar and Author of the Mukhtasar
Ali Abd al-Raziq
An influential Egyptian qadi, intellectual, and author known for his controversial views on Islamic governance.
Anglo-Muhammadan Law
A hybrid legal system used in British colonial India that blended elements of English and Islamic law.
Apostasy
Renunciation of one’s religion in Islam and its theological, legal, and doctrinal aspects.
Aqd
Aqd: Contract or legal transaction in Islamic context
AR-RADD (الرد‎)
Understand the term AR-RADD (الرد‎), its implications in Islamic law, and its various contexts including inheritance and theological significance.
Arbitration in Islamic Law
The emphasis on arbitration and mediation in Islamic law, including the practices by Prophet Muhammad and the role of personal status law in resolving disputes.
Ass in Islamic Law
Learn about the term 'Ass' in Islamic law according to Imām Abū Ḥanīfah, including its status as an unclean animal, the implications for consumption, and related rulings on zakāt.
Azizah al-Hibri
Azizah al-Hibri: Muslim professor, lawyer, and advocate for human rights and Islamic jurisprudence.
Baiʿu ʾL-Wafāʾ (بيع الوفاء‎)
Understand the concept of Baiʿu ʾL-Wafāʾ, a sale with a promise in Islamic finance. Learn about its implications, legality, and usage in historical and contemporary contexts.
Banishment (Taghrīb)
Explore the concept of Banishment (Taghrīb) in Islamic law, its basis in Shari'a, varying opinions among Islamic jurists, and its application as a punishment for certain crimes.
Bequest (Wasiyyah)
A testamentary disposition in Islamic law, limited to one-third of the decedent’s total estate, with specific rules and exceptions.
Bequests for Pious Purposes in Islam
Explore the concept of bequests for pious purposes in Islam, the prioritization of duties ordained by God, and the rules surrounding legacies for pilgrimage.
Bioethics in Islam
An examination of the ethical guidance provided by Islamic principles in the realm of healthcare and medical advancements.
Burning to Death - Prohibition in Islamic Law
Explore the Islamic legal and theological prohibitions against burning to death, supported by historical accounts and prophetic teachings. Understand the significance of this ruling in Islamic jurisprudence and ethics.
Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam
A declaration issued by the Organization of the Islamic Conference in 1990 asserting that fundamental rights and freedoms in Islam are an integral part of Shariah.
Carrion (Maitah)
Learn about the term 'Carrion,' known as 'Maitah' in Arabic, its prohibition in Islamic law, and its implications for dietary practices in Islam. Understand related Qur'anic verses and contextual rules.
Churches in Islam: Legal and Cultural Perspectives
Understand the Islamic views on the construction and maintenance of churches and synagogues in Muslim territories. Explore historical and theological contexts including key legal rulings and Traditions.
Commercial Law
An overview of commercial law in Islamic legal tradition and its comparison with Western legal systems
Constitution of Medina
Charter established by Muhammad outlining the rights and duties of all citizens in Medina and the relationship between Muslim and non-Muslim communities.
Converts to the Muhammadan Religion - Legal Status in Islamic Jurisprudence
Understanding the legal status of converts to Islam according to the Hidāyah, focusing on the distinctions between individuals converting in hostile territories versus those converting post-conquest.
Court System in Islamic Jurisprudence
Overview of the historical and contemporary structure of the Islamic judicial system, emphasizing the role of qadis, the influence of colonialism, and modern Islamist perspectives.
Crucifixion in Islam - Definition, Etymology, and Significance
Explore the Islamic perspective on the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the sanctioned use of crucifixion as a punishment for highway robbers in Islamic jurisprudence.
Dain
Learn about the term 'Dain,' its implications, and usage in the Islamic context. Understand what constitutes a debt with a definite term and how it is treated differently from Qarẓ in Islamic jurisprudence.
Dar al-Islam
A territory under Muslim sovereignty where Islamic law prevails.
Dar al-Sulh
Territory of treaty where a non-Muslim region enters into an armistice with a Muslim government, ensuring mutual protection and often tribute arrangements.
Darura
A state of necessity in Islamic legal terminology that permits certain otherwise unlawful actions.
Debt: Definition, Etymology, and Significance in Islamic Law
Explore the concept of debt in Islamic law, the different types of debt, and their implications. Understand how debts are handled upon death, and the religious considerations regarding debts.
Deposit in Islamic Law
Explore the concept of 'Deposit' (wadīʿah) in Islamic law, its implications, and the rules governing trusteeship. Understand the ethical and legal frameworks that underpin the practice of depositing valuable items.
Disagreement of Jurists (Ikhtilaf al-Fiqh)
Refers to the differing legal opinions of early Islamic jurists and authorities, contributing to the development and diversity of Islamic legal thought.
Drowning (غرق) - Understanding Its Legal Implications in Islamic Law
Discover the nuanced understanding of drowning (gharaq) in Islamic legal context, particularly within the framework of the Hanafi school of thought. Explore why it doesn't amount to murder and the rationale behind it.
Dumb
Learn about the term 'Dumb' or 'Abkam,' its implications, and usage in an Islamic legal context. Understand how the legal and social systems accommodate the rights and responsibilities of a person born dumb in Islamic jurisprudence.
Economics (Islamic)
Economics (Islamic) is an economic system based on the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah focusing on justice, fairness, and ethical values.
Enfranchisement in Islamic Context
Understand the concept of enfranchisement in an orthodox Islamic state, including the treatment of non-Muslims, poll tax (jizyah), and the conditions of slaves and Ẕimmīs.
Executor (Waṣī) - Definition, Etymology, and Role in Islamic Law
Understand the role of the executor (Waṣī) in Islamic law, their responsibilities, and legal constraints. Learn about the term's etymology, and how it applies in the distribution of an estate according to Islamic jurisprudence.
Fai: Redistribution of Wealth in Classical Islam
Fai refers to wealth taken peaceably from an enemy, either under the terms of a peace settlement or after fighting has ended, considered initially as the right of the Prophet and later distributed by community leaders.
False Witness - Islamic Legal Perspectives and Etymology
Explore the Islamic legal rulings regarding bearing false witness, including differing opinions among prominent Islamic scholars. Understand the implications and consequences in Islamic faith and law.
Family Law
An overview of Islamic Family Law encompassing marriage, dowry, polygamy, divorce, maintenance, and adoption regulations according to traditional and reformed perspectives.
Faqīh (فقيه‎)
Understand the role and significance of a Faqīh, a Muḥammadan lawyer or theologian, within the Islamic legal and theological framework.
Faraid
Obligatory ritual duties and inheritance shares commanded by God in Islam.
Fard al-Ayn
Islamic legal obligations incumbent on each individual Muslim
Fard al-Kifayah
Fard al-Kifayah defines a communal obligation in Muslim legal doctrine. It is a responsibility that must be fulfilled by the Muslim community as a whole.
Farsakh (فرسخ‎)
Explore the term 'Farsakh,' its historical context, and its importance in Islamic legal and cultural dimensions. Understand how this land measurement was used and its modern relevance.
Fatwā
Explore the concept of Fatwā, its historical and religious significance, the process of its issuance, and its role in the Islamic legal and social contexts. Learn how Fatwās influence the lives of Muslims.
Fiqh
Fiqh is the human attempt to understand and apply divine law (Shariah), distinguished from Usul al-Fiqh, which are the methods of legal interpretation.
Fornication (Zina)
Islamic legal and theological perspective on fornication, punishments, and evidential requirements.
Foundling: Definition, Etymology, and Significance in Islam
Explore the concept of 'Foundling' (Arabic: laqīt̤), its religious significance in Islam, legal considerations, and societal implications.
Fyzee, Asaf Ali Asghar
Fyzee, Asaf Ali Asghar (d. 1981) was an Indian Islamic modernist, educator, and internationally known scholar of Islamic law, recognized for his contributions to Islamic jurisprudence.
Gadd al-Haqq
Gadd al-Haqq, the Egyptian Shaykh of al-Azhar known for his controversial fatwa on female circumcision.
Ghabn (غبن‎)
An exploration of the term 'Ghabn,' which denotes fraud or deceit in sales within an Islamic context. Understand its implications, usage, and significance in Islamic law and daily life.
Ghaṣb (غصب) in Islamic Law
Explore the concept of Ghaṣb (غصب‎) in Islamic jurisprudence, its legal implications, and the nuances in determining usurpation of property.
Guardianship: Definition, Etymology, and Significance in Islam
Explore the concept of guardianship in Islam, including its definition, types, and the roles and responsibilities associated with it. Understand how guardianship (wilāyah and ḥiẓānah) affects the management of a minor's property and upbringing.
Gülhane Rescript of 1839 (Tanzimat Fermanı)
A declaration part of the Ottoman reforms aimed at protecting the rights and property of subjects and affirming the restoration of sharia law.
Hadd
Hadd (حد) refers to a punishment fixed in the Quran and Hadith for specific crimes considered to be against the rights of God (حقوق الله‎, huquq Allah).
Ḥadīth in Islam: Definition, Etymology, and Classification
Explore the concept of Ḥadīth in Islam, its classification, significance, and method of transmission. Understand the different types of Ḥadīth and their implications in Islamic scholarship and jurisprudence.
Hair in Islamic Tradition - Definition, Etymology, and Religious Significance
Explore the term 'Hair' in Islamic reference, its etymology, religious implications, and practices regarding human hair. Understand the prohibitions and societal norms based on Islamic teachings.
Halal
A Quranic term denoting what is lawful or permitted according to Islamic law.
Hanafi School of Law
Islamic school of legal thought attributed to Abu Hanifah, predominant in personal status and religious observances, noted for its liberal doctrines and extensive use of reasoning and analogy.
Hanbali School of Law
An Islamic school of legal thought with origins attributed to Ahmad ibn Hanbal, emphasizing strict adherence to the Quran and Hadith.
Handkerchiefs
Explore the cultural and theological perspectives on the use of handkerchiefs in Islamic tradition, including scholars' opinions and legal rulings.
Haram
Legal term in Islamic law for what is forbidden or inviolable; also used to refer to sanctuaries around the three holy cities of Islam.
Ḥaulānu ʾl-Ḥaul
Explore the term 'Ḥaulānu ʾl-Ḥaul,' its meaning, usage, and significance in Islamic jurisprudence. Understand how it relates to the obligation of zakāt and its implications for the possession of property.
Highway Robbery
Explore the term 'Highway Robbery' within the context of Islamic law. Understand its etymology, legal implications, and prescribed punishments according to the Qur'an and classical Islamic jurisprudence.
Ḥijr (حجر‎)
Discover the multifaceted term 'Ḥijr (حجر),' its legal, historical, and Quranic implications. Understand its primitive and legal meanings, and its significance in Islamic history and geography.
ḤIMA (حمى‎)
Understand the concept of ḤIMA, its historical and contemporary implications, and its significance within Islamic land management and preservation. Explore how ḤIMA is referenced in Islamic texts and its relevance to modern environmental ethics.
Hostages
Individuals who are seized, detained, or threatened with injury for political considerations, and the stance of Islamic jurisprudence on such acts.
Hukm
In Islamic terms, hukm denotes arbitration, judgment, authority, and God's will, with evolving meanings/
Hukumah
The term 'Hukumah' refers to the government, especially in the context of individuals who exercise state authority, evolving from classical to modern Islamic political thought.
Human Rights in Islam
Examining the concept of human rights within Islamic law and its interaction with international human rights standards
Husband (Zauj) - Roles, Rights, and Responsibilities in Islam
Understand the term 'Husband' in Islamic context, focusing on the rights, responsibilities, and religious rulings related to the husband-wife relationship in Islamic law.
Ibn Hanbal, Ahmad
Eponym of the Hanbali school of Islamic law, known for his literal and legalistic interpretation of the Quran and hadith.
Iddah
Iddah, the waiting period a woman must observe after the death of her spouse or a divorce, during which she may not remarry, as mandated by Islamic law.
Ifta
The act of issuing a fatwa (legal opinion) by an authoritative consultant in matters of Islamic law.
Ijārah in Islamic Law
Explore the term 'Ijārah' in Islamic law, its implications, applications, and the intricate rulings that govern hire, rental, and lease agreements. Understand how these contracts impact daily transactions in Muslim communities.
Ijma
Ijma, a fundamental concept in Islamic jurisprudence referring to the consensus of the Muslim community as a source of law.
Ijtihad
Islamic legal term meaning 'independent reasoning,' used in Islamic jurisprudence.
Īlāʾ (ايلاء‎)
Learn about the term 'Īlāʾ,' its implications, and usage in Islamic context. Understand the rules and outcomes of this specific form of separation within Islamic marital law.
Illegitimate Children in Islam - Definition, Etymology, and Legal Implications
Explore the concept of illegitimate children, known in Arabic as waladu ʾz-zināʾ (ولد الزناء‎), within the Islamic context. Learn about their legal status, inheritance rights, and cultural significance.
Impotency - Definition, Etymology, and Legal Implications in Islam
Explore the concept of impotency in Islamic law, its impact on marriage contracts, and the necessary legal procedures. Understand how both Sunni and Shia jurisprudence handle cases of impotency.
Imprisonment
A comprehensive examination of the concept of 'Imprisonment' (Sijn/Habs) in Islamic jurisprudence, with a focus on the Ḥanīfī school of thought, including its legal and ethical implications.
Infanticide
Pre-Islamic practice in tribal communities, explicitly prohibited by the Quran, marking an improvement in the status of women and protection of the right to life.
Innovation (Bid'ah)
Modifications in religious belief or practice within Islam and their implications
Inqadh
The concept of saving, rescuing, bringing relief or salvation in an Islamic context.
Insolvency of a Debtor in Islamic Law - Definition, Etymology, and Legal Implications
Explore the concept of insolvency of a debtor as established by a judicial decree in Islamic law. Understand the implications for bequests and creditor claims.
Intermarriage
Marriage between individuals of different faiths under Islamic law

Dictionary of Islam

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