Includes bibliographical references (pages 168-172) and index
pt. I. Historical background. The law of the Prophet and his companions ; After the orthodox caliphs -- pt. II. The law and its sources. The divine sources ; The human sources -- pt. III. The source-tuners. Public interest and the source of law ; Ḍaūra, necessity -- pt. IV. The legal mechanics for understanding the law. Islamic jurisprudence, uṣūl al-fiqh ; Understanding the textual expressions -- pt. V. Legal authority and the future of Islamic law. Legal authority and the diverse faces of Islamic law ; The fatāwa and legal authority ; The future of Islamic law