Machine summary:
We may aptly compare the four sources in Islamic law with a modern statement of fundamental principles such as the Swiss Code, Art. I.
Customary law in Islam is not considered as of primary importance, because the rules laid down by the Prophet were ico: .
The Great 'Urnar, Second Caliph of Islam, in his instructions to qa<;lis, laid down that, in the first instance, the qa<;li should follow the principle of the Qur'an and then the practice of the Prophet.
The functions and powers of the qac;lis being high, they constituted a learned and respected class reflecting a special type of culture and in• fluencing society by their example.
The importance given to woman by the Islamic reform has led directly to her acquiring a position of absolute equality in modern life.
The idea of chivalry is therefore a heritage of Islam ; and chivalry itself was the precursor of the modern doctrine of the absolute legal and social equality of woman in all spheres of life.
Hamldullah has, in a series of learned articles entitled Muslim Conduct of State-;rin the Islamic Culture, ) 7 Hyderabad, shown that Islamic books of tradition and histori- cal works are replete with rules giving a clear conception of the begin• nings of international law, both public and private.
and the work of Dr. Hamldulljh is valuable as it demonstrates reliably that rules analogous to international law were developed several centuries ·earlier · in Islamic civilization.
After Islam, there is, under the law, perfect equality between the adherents of all religions.