Islamic law is not simply a collection of individual rulings. It is a coherent legal system built upon universal principles. This course introduces students to the legal maxims (al-qawāʿid al-fiqhiyyah) that have guided Muslim jurists for centuries, helping them understand not only what the law says but also the reasoning behind it.

The study of legal maxims has long been recognised as an essential discipline for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of fiqh and its application. Over ten weeks, students will study ninety-nine foundational legal maxims drawn from the rich tradition of Islamic jurisprudence. The course follows the well-known arrangement of the ninety-nine maxims found in the Majallat al-Aḥkām al-ʿAdliyyah (the Ottoman Civil Code). Together, these concise principles provide a structured framework for understanding how Islamic law is interpreted, applied, and developed across a wide range of legal issues.

Instead of studying individual rulings in isolation, students will learn the overarching principles that connect the various chapters of fiqh. These maxims reveal the underlying methodology of Islamic law, showing how jurists derive rulings, resolve competing legal considerations, weigh certainty against doubt, recognise the role of custom, accommodate necessity, and preserve the higher objectives of the Sharīʿah. Each maxim will be explained in clear English, supported by practical examples, and examined alongside its scope, limitations, and recognised exceptions.

Intended for students who have already completed an introductory study of fiqh, this course provides a natural progression to more advanced studies in Islamic jurisprudence. By learning these foundational principles, students will develop the conceptual framework needed to approach classical works of fiqh with greater confidence. They will be better equipped to identify the connections between seemingly unrelated legal rulings and to appreciate the coherence, depth, and adaptability of the Islamic legal tradition.