Summary

Islamic law is an extremely complex legal phenomenon. The author provides an overview of the nature, formation and historical development of Islamic law and jurisprudence as a science establishing rules. The author introduces the sources of Islamic law and jurisprudence, the classical legal theory and the main bases of jurisprudence relying thereon, the Koran, sunni, ijma’ and quyas, as well as interpretation methods. As, in the author’s opinion, it is necessary to distinguish between Islamic law and jurisprudence in explaining Islamic law, the article outlines the main differences between law and jurisprudence, the reasons for such differentiation and the relationship between the two. The author introduces the basic concepts and methods of Islamic law and jurisprudence and describes the mutual influence of religion and law in the shari’a. Further, the author gives a brief overview of reforms affecting Islamic law which have resulted in the partial adoption of continental European rules of law. The author stresses that the evolution of Islamic law must take place within the framework of shari’a and in accordance with the Islamic traditions without the loss of religious elements from its law.