This text deals with the theory and practice of Islamic law in both the formative classic and modern periods and over a range of societies. It is divided into four sections dealing with: legal theory; fatwas and muftis in classical Islamic law; the position of religious minorities under Islamic law, and modern developents in Islamic law. In addition to exploring the tension between theory and practice, the book focuses on the role of ijtihad in both Sunni and Shi'i fiqh and in collections of fatwa, and looks at the relationship between judicial practice and positive law.