ABSTRACT

In this chapter I will discuss the fundamental differences in how Islamic law and its history are understood by Muslim scholars and their Western counterparts. I will then briefly demonstrate the problem that abrogation represents for certain aspects of the traditional Islamic view of the law. Then I will move to the main focus of the chapter, which is to present a coherent understanding of the concept of Islamic law in the Qur'an and the role of Sunna. This understanding addresses ambiguities, contradictions, and flaws in how Islamic law has been traditionally understood. The definition of Sharīʿa and the explanation of the contribution of the Sunna to Islamic law that I present here have fundamental differences with the established tradition.