Rule of Law in Islam

Abstract

Public law notions seen from shari'a law perspective have not been duly discussed in Islamic countries. In the discourse of rule of law in Islam we are confronted with a dilemma, moral values of a religion are not compatible with the coercive legislative measures. Thus the authentic application of shari'a rules is feasible only if a scientific hermeneutic of shari'a law is adapted to the exigencies of today's modern life, while the outlook on the boundaries of hermeneutic remains obscure. The first section of this article, introductory discourse, scrutinizes the fallacy of different theories on the notion of justice leading to the concept of "rule of law" in general. The second section focuses on the rule of law in Islam. Concluding ideas are presented in the final section, conclusion.