islamic-jihad-legacy-of-forced-conversion-imperialism-slavery

3-Basic Beliefs in IslamDuring the phase of compilation of the Sunnah, another stream of brilliant Islamic scholars appeared in thefield. They focused on the correct interpretations of the Quranic verses and prophetic traditions in order toformulate well-defined laws for the Islamic society. This field, known as the Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh),have four major Schools initiated by four outstanding Muslim scholars. They are:1. The Hanafi School, founded by Imam Abu Hanifa (699–767), is largely practised by Muslimsin South Asia, Central Asia, Turkey, the Balkans, China and Egypt.2. The Maliki School, founded by Imam Malik bin Anas (715–795), is largely practised byMuslims in North and West Africa and several Arab states.3. The Shafii School, founded by Imam al-Shafii (767–820), is largely practised by Muslims inSoutheast Asia, Egypt, Somalia, Eritrea and Yemen among others.4. The Hanbali School, founded by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (780–855), is largely practised inSaudi Arabia and other Arab states.The fiqh, according to famous Muslim historian Ibn Khaldun, is the ‘knowledge of the rules of God whichconcern the actions of persons who are themselves bound to obey the law respecting what is required (wajib),forbidden (haraam), recommended (mandūb), disapproved (makruh) or merely permitted (mubah)’ in Islam. 10The founders and pupils of the four major Schools of Islamic jurisprudence carried out outstanding researchover three centuries to create a compendium of Islamic laws and precepts, collectively known as the Islamicholy laws or the Sharia. With few exceptions, these Schools of Islamic laws differ only in minor details butvery little in essence.Allah, the Islamic God, had presented Islam to all humankind as the perfected final code of life[Quran 5:3]. In other words, Islam is a detailed manual for humankind to lead life as wished by Allah.Therefore, Islam has a solution or guideline for every possible event, situation and action of human life. TheSharia contains divine laws, protocols and precepts for human beings to follow in every situation in life—be iteating, defecating, bathing, having sex, saying prayers, fighting wars or any other circumstances, they mayfind themselves in.Sharia laws cover all spheres of Muslim life: spiritual, social, financial and political. There is noseparation between the spiritual (religious) and the mundane in Islam. Islam is an all-in-one solution to theworldly problems for humankind. Therefore Islam, affirms Turkish scholar Dr Sedat Laçiner, is ‘not only areligion but also the name of a political, economic and cultural system.’ 11 Prof. M Umaruddin (AligarhMuslim University, India) sees the relationship between Islam and politics as inseparable. He asserts that‘Islam is not a religion in the usual sense of the word. The view that religion has to do only with the innerconscience of man, with no logical relations with social conduct, is completely foreign, rather abhorrent toIslam.’ Emphasizing that the theological precepts of Islam cover all aspects of human life, he adds: ‘It is anall-embracing system, a complete code of life, bearing on and including every phase of human activity andevery aspect of human conducts.’ 12In sum, the Quran and the Sunnah are the primary constitutions of Islam. The Sharia laws are derivedfrom these two primary sources. The Quran, the Sunnah and the Sharia together constitute the completefoundation of the Islamic creed. They are the indispensable complete guide to the Muslim life and society forall times and places.10. Levy R (1957) The Social Structure of Islam, Cambridge University Press, U.K., p. 15011. Laçiner S, The Civilisational Differences As a Condition for Turkish Full-Membership to the EU; Turkish Weekly, 9Feb. 200512. Umaruddin M (2003) The Ethical Philosophy of Al-Ghazzali, Adam Publishers & Distributors, New Delhi, p. 3078