Islam, Law, and Human Rights

Melman, Anna. Islam, Law, and Human Rights. Part of the World of Islam series. 2010. 64p. ISBN 978-1-422-1362-9. Available at 342.167 MEL on the library shelves.

Islam has been present in many of the political discussions over the last decade, and no aspect of this world religion is more debated in Western societies than Sharia law. In this volume, law and human rights are examined from Western standards, from Sharia, and from actual application in Muslim countries.

The greatest differences between Western and Sharia law systems appear in freedom of expression and in relations between men and women. Sharia law is considered the word of God, and is therefore perfect. It is subject to interpretation only by learned clerics, and there is no appeal. This becomes problematic when issues that did not exist during the prophet’s time are attempted to be abjudicated.

This book thus provides a good overview of this issue, and helps to explain how Muslim societies operate.