Text Book of Mohammedan Law

Description

Aqil Ahmad’s Textbook on Mohammedan Law, revised and updated by Prof. Iqbal Ali Khan, is a leading and time-tested textbook on Muslim Personal Law that has guided generations of law students, judicial aspirants, and legal practitioners in India. Now in its 27th Edition, the book continues to be valued for its clarity, analytical depth, and comprehensive coverage of both the classical principles of Islamic law and their modern application by Indian courts.

The book presents a systematic and detailed exposition of all major areas of Mohammedan law. It covers the sources of Muslim law, explaining their origin and hierarchy, and provides a critical discussion of the different schools of Muslim law and their distinguishing features. The section on operation and interpretation of Muslim law offers insights into how Islamic legal principles are applied in India’s judicial system. The book then proceeds to discuss conversion and its legal implications, marriage (nikah) as a contract and sacrament, and divorce (talaq)—including the various forms of talaq, their validity, and the modern reforms introduced to regulate them.

Detailed chapters on dower (mahr), guardianship, and maintenance (nafaqa) examine the legal obligations arising from marriage and family relationships. The law relating to gifts (hiba) and wills (wasiyat) is elaborated with references to significant judicial pronouncements and illustrations. A comprehensive discussion on waqf explains its concept, creation, and management, with special focus on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2013, which has redefined key aspects of waqf law in India. The treatment of death-bed transactions, inheritance, and succession provides a clear understanding of the rules governing distribution of property under Muslim law, supplemented by relevant case laws and comparative perspectives.

The 27th Edition incorporates the latest legislative developments and judicial pronouncements, including the landmark case of Shayara Bano v. Union of India (AIR 2017 SC 4609) and the enactment of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019, which abolished the practice of instant triple talaq. It also includes important decisions of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and other significant court rulings, reflecting how personal law continues to evolve with changing social and constitutional norms.

Written in clear, accessible, and student-friendly language, the book combines traditional scholarship with modern interpretation, making it an invaluable resource for LL.B. and LL.M. students, judicial service aspirants, teachers, and legal professionals. Balancing theory with practice, Aqil Ahmad’s Mohammedan Law remains a definitive and indispensable guide to understanding the principles, practice, and progress of Muslim personal law in India.