Muslims in Non-Muslim Lands: A Legal Study with Applications

Amjad M Mohammed

Paperback

9781903682753

Due to mass migration over a number of decades, many Muslims today find themselves residing as minorities in Western secular countries and, as a result, search for answers in order to live within these societies and remain true to their faith. This work sets out to counter the idea that there are only two possibilities for Muslim minorities: isolation or assimilation. The author argues that traditional Islamic law, or fiqh, as it is found in the classical Schools of Law is not outdated and too inflexible to be utilised in the twenty-first century, but that it can provide the means for Muslims to integrate within secular societies whilst maintaining a link to the sources of their religion and its legal rulings.

Muslims in non-Muslim Lands demonstrates how Islamic law, as interpreted by the Hanafi School of Law, is a multifaceted, complex legal system which takes into account both the individual's situation and the society's culture and customs. The important concept of political-legal jurisdictions, which determine where and how Islamic law can be applied, is discussed and with it the criteria for the application of dar al-Islam (Muslim state), dar al-sulh (peace-treaty state) and dar al-harb (enemy state). Muslims in Non-Muslim Lands also includes a number of rulings for different situations which confront Muslim minorities such as: working with illegal products or services, halal meat, food additives, medicines and medical interventions, financial transactions and political participation.