This book offers the first detailed presentation available in English of the theory of Muslim (usul al-fiqh). Often regarded as the most sophisticated of the traditional Islamic disciplines, Muslim jurisprudence is concerned with the way in which rituals and laws of religion are derived from the Qur'ana and the Sunna - the precedent of the Prophet. Written as a university textbook, Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence is distinguished by its clarity and readability; it is an essential reference work not only for students of Islamic law, but also for anyone with an interest in Muslim societies or in issues of comparative jurisprudence. This is third edition has been completely revised and substantially enlarged.