What are the schools of Muslim law?

Last updated on May 12, 2022

There are various schools of Muslim law. The law on Muslim marriages comes from the interpretation of the Quran by scholars. Thus, most Muslim marriages are guided by customs derived from interpretations followed through generations. The laws and customs that apply to each person following Islam differ based on the sect of the person. Further, different branches of customs have emerged within sects. These branches have specific laws known as “Schools of Law”.1 

 

In India,2 parts of Muslim personal law were written down in 1937 as the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937 as well as the Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act,1939. These two laws in many ways have led the reforms in family laws. However, Muslim marriages are guided by the Islamic religious precepts. In Islam, there are two sects- Sunni and Shia. Each sect practices different schools of law. This means that depending on the sect, the marriage procedure differs for a bride and a groom.1

  1. Mulla, D. F., Sir. (n.d.). Principles of Mahomedan Law (20th ed.) p.28.[][]
  2. Consultation Paper on Reform of Family Law, Law Commission, available at https://lawcommissionofindia.nic.in/reports/CPonReformFamilyLaw.pdf.[]

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