Law 205: Contemporary Issues in Islamic Law critically examines the intersection of Islamic jurisprudence with modern-day legal and social challenges. This course navigates through the evolving landscape of Islamic law as it confronts contemporary issues such as human rights, gender equality, bioethics, environmental sustainability, and the impact of technology. By dissecting case studies and engaging with current debates, students will explore how Islamic legal principles are applied and adapted to address the needs and complexities of the 21st-century Muslim world. This exploration aims to demystify the adaptability and dynamism of Islamic law in fostering justice, equity, and moral integrity within the framework of modern societal norms and global ethics.
Overall Objectives for this Course:
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Analyze the application of Islamic law in addressing contemporary legal and ethical dilemmas.
- Understand the methodologies used by contemporary Islamic scholars (fuqaha) to navigate modern challenges.
- Evaluate the role of Islamic law within the context of international human rights discourse.
- Explore the intersection of gender, law, and society within Islamic jurisprudence.
- Investigate Islamic legal responses to bioethical issues, including medical advancements and environmental crises.
- Assess the impact of technology and digitalization on Islamic legal principles and practices.
- Critique and debate contemporary issues in Islamic law from multiple jurisprudential perspectives.
- Synthesize traditional Islamic legal principles with modern-day applications to propose solutions to current challenges.
Curriculum
- 15 Sections
- 0 Lessons
- 14 Weeks
- Reading ProjectA highly recommended text is “Islamic Law in Contemporary Context” by Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na’im. This book offers a comprehensive overview of Islamic law’s principles as they apply to the modern world, addressing current issues such as human rights, gender, and legal reform within Islamic societies. An-Na’im’s work is renowned for its insightful analysis of how Islamic jurisprudence can adapt to contemporary challenges while staying true to its ethical and legal foundations. It’s an excellent resource for students to understand the dynamic and evolving nature of Islamic law in addressing modern-day dilemmas.0
- Week 4: Gender Equality and Women’s Rights in Islamic Jurisprudence0
- Week 7: Technology’s Influence on Islamic Legal Norms0
- Week 1: Introduction to Contemporary Issues in Islamic Law0
- Week 2: Methodologies for Approaching Modern Challenges in Fiqh0
- Week 3: Islamic Law and International Human Rights0
- Week 5: Bioethics in Islam: Principles and Case Studies0
- Week 6: Environmental Jurisprudence and Stewardship in Islam0
- Week 8: Islamic Finance and Economic Justice in the Modern World0
- Week 9: Family Law and Personal Status in Contemporary Muslim Societies0
- Week 10: Criminal Justice and Penal Reform in Islamic Law0
- Week 11: Freedom of Expression and Blasphemy Laws in Islamic Jurisprudence0
- Week 12: Islamic Responses to Globalization and Cultural Change0
- Week 13: The Role of Islamic Law in Multicultural Societies0
- Week 14: Future Directions: Reform and Renewal in Islamic Law0
